Another update!

So I woke up this morning and found that Draco had slipped out of his e collar! I checked his incision site to see if they were still there.... luckily most of them were still there, there was just a small area where he licked the scabs off and a few staples came off. The area where the staples came off were red and puffy, looks like it was draining some fluids but overall no separations that I see. It's just giving me the mad ugly duck face. I'm hoping it's not infected, I sent pictures to the vet and he said it doesn't look bad. That if there is any separations and discharge then to take Draco in to add some staples. I left for work in the afternoon and then came back home this evening and checked how his incision site is doing. There was a small area where it looks like some drainage happened, it was very little since it didn't look like it discharged very far from the site. I hope it's not infected, but with the bruising and everything else in general looking mad and ugly, it might still be okay because everything else seems to be crusting up again which tells me it's trying to heal and close up. I'll most likely follow up in the morning with more updates. I'm going to send pictures to the vet and see what he thinks. 

Here is a picture I took in the morning after I put on some hydrogel/neosporin:

And below is the picture I took when I got home - notice the incision area is crusting/scabbing up trying to heal/close. There was just a small discharge visible. The hydrogel/neosporin had dried up since already in this picture:

And below is what it looks like when I put on more hydrogel/neosporin:

It looks scary when it's moist, but looks better when it's all dried up. I'm glad the crusting/scabs formed quickly throughout the day. 

I'll update in the morning!

-RJ

dumainedog said
I have no wisdom to bring to the status of Draco's incision. But, I wish a speedy recovery. Plus, I must admit, I'm eyeing your photos because I'll be facing that same vision after Obie's surgery tomorrow. Thank you for sharing and much love to you and your pup.    

Thank you, I hope your Obie's surgery goes well! Keep lots of positive thoughts, you'll need that mental/emotional strength mostly for yourself! One of the important things I learned so far is to be vigilant in keeping that e-collar on! I know that it looks sad with them having it on, but it is better than them chewing off stitches/staples, an open wound and infection, and having to go back to the vet to be stitched/stapled back up basically doing another surgery (cutting the edges of skin to refresh them for healing) and another big vet bill! After having experienced that (minus the infection), that e-collar looks more like a sure safe haven to me (my sanity and wallet)! 

Just a quick update!

Draco's incision area looks to be dried and crusted now for healing. So no discharge that I can see. I did notice that whenever I'd take his e-collar off to put on his front harness for potty breaks, he'd quickly take a lick at his amputation area, or maybe that area that is currently trying to dry up/heal. No pictures this time, but maybe I'll get some updated ones tomorrow if I remember. I've tried providing him with a cold pack and heat compress but he's just not having it. He'll keep moving around to get me to stop. Neither cold or heat are unbearable at all. I'll wait a couple more days before I wrestle him to do a warm compress.

Draco's dad - RJ