Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Jake has been doing well since his right rear leg amputation 3 weeks ago. He was doing great. The last few days the reddened area in his right groin area has become swollen, warm, red and hard size of a tennis ball. I called the surgeon and she will see him tomorrow. She said it could be a reaction to the internal sutures, outer sutures were removed on 7/1/14. She also said unlikely but....his mast cell tumor could be metastasized. Looks to me like a hematoma and cellulitis. Any ideas. Crazy Mom
I wouldn't think its a seroma this late in the game. Could be the cellulitis like you think. If so they probably will give him some antibiotics. I know when I just had Bosch (Sassy's "brother neutered he got a seroma the size of a grapefruit. The vet advised hot packing it with a warm wash cloth. That did not stay warm enough so I made a rice bag out of an old sock and heated it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and held it there.
I am glad you are taking him in. If the vet suggests heat try that.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Glad he's seeing the vet. Don't panic, it could be anything, but yeah suture reactions could be one cause. Here's an article we wrote about it:
Amputation Surgery Suture Reaction in Dogs
Let us know what happens OK? We have our paws crossed that it's not serious.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am going to sound like a broken record here. I think I have said this to 2 other people here, just this week. If they drain any fluid or do take a tissue sample for biopsy, please have them run a culture for bacteria. I fought for weeks to get this done. If it would happen to be cellulitis, they could put him on the correct antibiotic for the strain of infection it is. Keep us posted as to how he is doing. Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
And Lori, that's part of Ty's legacy and why he's stillmhere helping others through you! Your effiorts are legendary around here!
Glad Jake has been going so well! This is just a bump in the road and it sounds like a dose of antibiodics will take care of it!
Cheering for you Jake!!
Sally and Hapoy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Keep playing that record Lori, people need to be aware, there's so much to think about. I don't think you sound like a broken record at all though, than you for caring.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just got home from the vet. She is quite perplexed by the mass in Jake's groin area. She performed an ultrasound which showed a pocket of fluid. The fluid was aspirated and came out sanguinous (blood). They are sending to pathology as well as for a culture...Yes Lori I paid attention, THANK YOU! Because it is blood they cannot rule out a hematoma/ abscess/infection/suture reaction or the mast cell tumor rearing it's ugly head. We are going the broad spectrum antibiotic route while we wait for the culture to grow. To get a jump on things I asked that they give Jake his 1st dose IV (he was also running a temp of 103.6) He received a dose of clavamox, and I will follow up with oral in the AM. I am breathing..again I am paying attention, and I will scour the house for chocolate later! I am optimistic but realistic. He is eating, drinking, peeing and pooping (yes we also celebrate poop). I sternly told my husband this morning that he needed to pay attention, and he sent me a pic of his poop. For now he is comfortable, just ate his dinner. The vet is going to email a few of her college's to get their input. Am I missing something? I feel ok with the fact that I did not opt for chemo. Even if we were going to take that route, he wouldn't have even started it yet. I will keep you posted. It is nice to know that I have a sounding board. Most regular humans think I am nuts so I don't talk about it as much as I would like to. Although I may not always chime in, I have utilized this site a lot and have learned a great deal from all the blogs. Keep your paws crossed, I'm off to find chocolate lol
Laurie ...Jake's Mom
I hope you found that chocolate by now Laurie!
Ok, your vet sounds fantastic. Any vet who can admit they are perplexed and then promptly goes to other colleagues for feedback, who takes action immediately to uncover the problem, is a five star vet in my book. It's sad, but there are a lot of vets who don't do this kind of thing. Whatever that issue is, you've got a great vet team on your side that will help resolve it.
I laughed out loud when you said your hubby sent a pic of Jake's poop! Now THAT is a pawesome pawrent team!
Hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Laurie, I'm in the chat now, for a little bit. Yes, we get it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I totally understand feeling like other humans think you're nuts!!! I even think my vet thinks I'm nuts. And I might be... the recovery period makes you nuts. BUT you are not alone!!! Lori told me the same thing about the culture. Im definitely going to have my vet do that tomorrow when my lil guy goes back in... Im thinking part of his incision is infected... but Its possible that I really dont know what im looking at and im wrong. We'll see.
I hope this set back is quickly resolved for you and Jake!!!
P.S. chocolate sounds amazing. . And im thinking I should eat some every time instant freaking out. Lol
The chocolate must be followed up with a bowl of ice cream when "waiting" is involved!! Hurry up and wait! Yep, all part of the roller coaster!
So glad you did the IV to get the antibiotic started. The fever just seems to indicate some sort of infection...or even the suture reaction. Good for you for gettingnit cultured too!
Calvert and Jake are both going to get past these "issues" and enjoy more spoling and loving than even they could imagine!
Will ,ook forward to everyone's updates!,
And great that Jake is eating, pooping, drinking, etc. That's ALL very important and encouraging that nothing major is going on!
Hugs and love to all! I like Ben and Jerry's "Cobert American Dream"
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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