Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, we went to have Zeke's staples removed on Monday, but they actually left them in and had to re-stitch and clean up the area where the 2 incisions meet and form a "V" shape. Most of the incision looks good, except for this spot. They said they think some of the tissue is dying and may "fall off" and they purposely left a hole about the size of a nickel and we have to "flush" the area twice a day. We will take him back in a week for them to look at it and remove staples. Did anyone have this issue with their dog's incision? It doesn't seem to be bothering him at all, but it smells (dying tissue or infection?), but we just wonder why this spot isn't healing properly. Our vet doesn't seem to be concerned and they said they left it open to help prevent infection and they want it to heal from the inside out. We just don't like the way it looks.
Dhiannon (Zeke's Mom) & Zeke, a 7 year old male Bullmastiff, front left leg amputated on 7-12-2010 due to a joint tumor. Zeke earned his wings on 8-13-2010, we will miss our big boy forever! We love you Zeke!!
Yuck. Be sure to keep the area clean and follow your vets instructions. Consider putting an old t-shirt on Zeke to keep the area free of dirt, and keep Zeke and licking. We didn't have such an issue with Jerry, but then he had stitches, not staples.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ditto that! Ruthie had staples but no problems. I think it's good that the vet isn't too concerned, but I'd sure keep a careful eye on it and follow their instructions. And if you suspect any problems I'd call the vet immediately.
Spirit Ruthie's Mom
Hmmm.
Is he on antibiotics? Smelling and angry sounds like a wound infection! Of course I have NO experience! But my mom had hip surgery and she got a surgical site wound infection. They put a wound vac on it and put her on antibiotics for 8 weeks. The worry, from her experience is not to let the infection get too deep because of bone infections or worse.
If it smells, I would call the vet.
What are the signs and symptoms of a wound infection?
You may have any of the following:
- High or low body temperature, low blood pressure, or a fast heart beat.
- Increased discharge (blood or other fluid) or pus coming out of the wound. The discharge or pus may have an odd color or a bad smell.
- Increased swelling that goes past the wound area and does not go away after five days. Swollen areas usually look red, feel painful, and feel warm when you touch them.
- Wounds that do not heal or get better with treatment.
- An old wound that bleeds easily.
- A wound that is painful, even though it does not look like it should be.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Hi Dhiannon,
Titus' stitches came off partially within 7 days of the surgery, and the vet had to snip off two large white flaps of skin (there was no blood supply and the skin was dying), revealing unsightly weeping and angry looking tissue with yellowish discharge. The opening was the size of my fist.
Titus had to stay for 7 days at the vet on a different antibiotic administered through shots. He came home with a wound the size of a jumbo egg, but everything else looked pink and ready to heal from inside out. He was off antibiotics and didn't need pain meds either at that point.
He was flushed 4 times a day and I applied Solcoseryl on the inside to help with the fluid discharge. I was afraid of how it looked at first too but Titus managed wonderfully and i gained confidence through that. The wound closed up within the week beautifully with no further complications.
It's not nice to look at but seems like your vet is on the right track and keeping it clean is key. Hang in there, Zeke will heal up in no time. Let us know how it goes.
Hugs,
Carol and Angel Titus
"A dog is the only thing in the world that loves you more than he loves himself."
OSA in left hind leg–30 August 2008. Ampuversary–4 October 2008.
Titus earned his wings on 15th July 2010.
He is dearly missed and our love lives on.
Definitely keep the wound clean... make sure that Zeke doesn't lick at it... put a T-shirt or if you have to, make him wear a cone. Did the vet recommend keeping him on antibiotics until the wound closed up?
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
You've gotten some great advice here 
(which doesn't surprise me). We've got our paws crossed for you, and hope Zeke is feeling better soon!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
Oh, hope Zeke's wound heals okay soon! We also kept a t-shirt on Catie during the healing process so she wouldn't lick or get it dirty.
I'd for sure be keeping a close eye on the incision and if you get really concerned (smelling bad doesn't sound good to me) dont' hesitate in giving your vet a call.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Naaaaaasty. But rest assured, it's happened here before and I'm sure your vet has seen this before. Is he on antibiotics?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tazzie had s spot the size of a quarter where the skin died and fell off. The underlying muscle was okay so it wasn't deep. She was already on antibiotics so it didn't smell.
Pam
Wow, you all are so PAWESOME!!! (I love the new language I'm learning...
)... I think the incision is okay, still looks kind of gross, but probably worse for us to look at. We have been putting the t-shirt on him when we can't watch him and he is still on the antibiotics. There is a piece of skin that looks dead and may fall off, but the smell has almost gone away completely. I also have noticed that the "hole" doesn't appear to be as deep, is pink and perhaps healing on the inside? Still flushing twice a day and hot packing 3-4 times. Thanks for all your advice and sharing your experiences, it's so great to have people that have gone through this to reach out to.
Dhiannon (Zeke's Mom) & Zeke, a 7 year old male Bullmastiff, front left leg amputated on 7-12-2010 due to a joint tumor. Zeke earned his wings on 8-13-2010, we will miss our big boy forever! We love you Zeke!!
Sounds as though Zeke is on the mend, yippeee!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
Thanks for the update...glad to hear he is doing better. Keep up the good work Zeke!
Malachi
Pitt Bull/Rhodesian Ridgeback
dx – osteosarcoma – 7/8/10 oncologist confirmed – 7/19/2010 life begins as a tripawd – 7/27/10
triplett said:
PAWESOME!!! (I love the new language I'm learning...
Then you'll enjoy catching up with the The Tripawd Dictionary. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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