Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone!
I'm Lauren and my beloved almost 10 year old whippet, Squizzle, has had her left hind leg amputated due to an aggressive tumor. She is 8 days post op and had been doing well until a seroma
built up & ruptured on its own Tuesday night. Of course we took her to the vet asap, and he changed up her antibiotics and prescribed prednisone. Last night we started to notice a foul odor coming from her, and even despite our best efforts, the lower portion seems to be infected. Last night a fairly deep, 3/4 of a dime size hole developed and the smelly contents drained. The only thing our vet recommends now is doing our best to keep it clean with peroxide or to repeat the surgery, which we can not afford 
The lack of advice is upsetting, so has anyone else had this experience? Is there anything else we can do for her? Ointment? Herbs? Medicine the vet isn't thinking of? Wrapping it? Additionally, the portion that had the seroma looks like the skin structure is compromised. Whippets have very thin skin to begin with. I am terrified that 1. the peroxide is too harsh and is causing the skin to break down or/and 2. that the infection is such that the entirety of her skin over her amputation incision is going to open up!
I'm devastated beyond belief that after all of this, I may have to say goodbye to my girl after all. Any help is so very much appreciated!
Happy tails,
Lauren
Lauren,
I'm so sorry about the scary infection going on. Try not to panic OK? Remember Squizzle needs you to be strong for her. Wound care can get tricky when infections sets in. We have been told by vets not to use peroxide. I'm not saying you shouldn't but I'm wondering if there are other reasons why your vet said it was OK? And what was the prednisone for? That is interesting, something I can't recall seeing among our membership for treating a wound infection.
Infections can get serious in a hurry and turn into MRSA . If I were in your situation I would find another vet asap, and get another opinion about what's going on. Is that possible for you? Where are you located? Maybe we can help you find a vet.
Meanwhile, here are some articles we've published about wound care and MRSA . I hope it helps.
http://amazon.t.....-tripawds/
http://tripawds.....gery-dogs/
http://tripawds.....nd-people/
Hang in there OK? Your future posts won't need approval so post away. Oh, sorry I moved your post here but I thought more people would see it. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh my goodness! Could you tell I am panicking? I stepped away from Squizzy, so hopefully she doesn't sense my anxiety too much (yeah, right). We live in Hainesport NJ, and of course, are in a nice snowstorm right now. I am quite upset at being told peroxide was ok, especially since she seemed to have been doing well, but once using that, her skin has seemed to break down! Is it possible that it could necrotize the area? I am sure we could financially manage an office visit.
Thank you so much for your help. I am hoping against hope that we're not too late. Any further information (I just purchased the ebook of amputation) would be more than helpful.
Thanks so much again!
Lauren
I should also add that she is not eating well. I have to forcefeed her since Tuesday, the eruption of the seroma . That's when we started using the peroxide. Last night, we noticed a foul smell, today a gaping hole under the incision site. There are 2 other places that are turning "dark" that we're concerned may open up as well. Of course we've stopped the peroxide and are now wondering if we can do anything to prevent that from happening.
Thanks!
You might post in our Ask A Vet forum. Dr Pam might have some ideas for you.
My understanding is that hydrogen peroxide should never be used on a fresh wound or incision- I think it damages tissue. I've also heard that it will dissolve dis-solvable sutures which would allow an incision to open if it hadn't healed. My experience is that it is at least 10 days for an incision to heal.
It's hard to make a judgement with limited information, but I would get Squizzle to another vet to to look at her incision. Infections can be tough to deal with, but you can cure it with proper meds and guidance.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Okay....deep breaths....and I'm serious about this, okay? B R E A T H E.....B R E A T H E.......B R E A T H E....INHALE SLOWLY, EXHALE SLOWLY!!
Now, first of all, Squizzle IS going torecover from this, okay???? Infections DO happen...seromas DO happen...and you have been on the top of it from the "git go"! So give yourself a hug for recognizing the symptons if an infectio! You are a very good pawparent!!
I understand your snow situation all too well. Virginis has basically been shut down for two weeks with zero temperatures and snow and sleet...and we've gotten nothing compared ro NJ!!!
You've gotten some great advice and good links. Definitely get a second opinion asap....even if it's just a phone consult because of the snow, perhaps a vet could call in some really good antibiotics.
Do NOT give up! Squizzle isn't giving up! This is such a scary time and recovery has so many ups and downs! You are NOT alone...we are all right here with you! I think I stayed in a panicked state the first two weeks! Wight days into recovery is still very early. Not eating gpseems to come and go during the recovery too. Now, of course if Squizzle does have a temperature from an I fection she may not feel like eating a lot right now.
And for whatever itsw worth, I just used some peroxide on a gash in my dog's paw pad....so don't feel badly about that...we all do what we think is best until we learn otherwise...and I just learned otherwise!
STAY CONNECTED....UPDATE US FREQUENTLY...WE ARE ALL CHEERING FOR SQUIZZLE! Love that name!!
Sending love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS...Is Squizzle drinking...peeing...pooping okay? Can you take her temp. at home? And of course as far as food...try any goody you can..especially if she has to take pills to coat her tum m y. What kind of pain pills is she on?
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!
Please, when you get plowed out, make an appointment and INSIST the wound drainage be cultured. They will himmy haul around about how it is not necessary, but stand your ground. I fought for 3 weeks to get my pup cultured and it turned out he had a MRSA infection. His treatment was way more involved than it would have been if they had just listened to me. His skin had actually turned black and started cracking. I took a picture of it, sent it to the vet and had an appointment within the hour. That may be an option, take a a photo and email it to them. TY got injectable antibiotics that I did at home. Amicacin. He had a second and third surgery to excise all the infected skin and came home with a drain tube. It sounds as though you are catching it quicker than we did. Is she running a fever? TY did, very high, like 104/105. Is she getting up and around at all? Keep us posted on how she is doing. I did not bring up MRSA to scare you, just always suggest it as a possibility if someone thinks their pet's wound is infected. Lori, Ty , & the puppies 3
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.
As always Lpri, Ty is continuing to help others through you.
Jist to ditto Lori telling you to INSIST! She STAYED determine to find the underlye cause of Ty's issues...and she found it! She snd Ty successfully beat that mrsa too! Yes they did!
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!
Thank you so much everyone. I'm trying hard to remain calm, but even though her appetite is up and is acting more like herself, she has developed these ulcerations that are really upsetting. 4 spots, 2 holes going to merge into one giant one (about 2-3 inches and quite deep). Between infection (presumably and no fever as of yesterday) and her skin being so thin, the seromas just seemed to stretch it so thin that the slightest irritation is causing the skin to slough off and create a hole.
My husband took her back to the vet on Wednesday because my dad was admitted to the hospital, so I was there. The vet changed her antibiotic and added the prednisone.
I started using tea tree oil around the infected areas and arnica Montana orally. I've tried wrapping her stump, but it's not really staying. I hope to be able to dig out and get a second opinion asap. Has anyone else encountered the complications Squizzy has? How do I take her temperature?
Any further information would be most appreciated!
Thanks!
Lauren
First kf all, I hope things are okay with your Dad. You certainly have your plate full! You have to be exhausted and emotionally drained!!
I'm glad that Squizzy ks eating and seems to feel a bit better. If she didn't have a fever as of Wed. thats good. I have taken my dog's temp. before but wouldn't e v en begin to tell someone else how to do it!! Nope...not me!
I KNOW this is so scary and I don't blame you one bit for being disturbed by all this...and then snow bound on top of it all!!! You are one strong woman!!
The Bet shoukd be replying to you shortly in the Ask The Vet section. I know from being onnhere there are cases thst the skin is just too thin to cover the surgery site....and I know there are solutions! If I recall, sometimes another surgery is required...but it also seems that proper wrapping and special guazes, etc.are sometimes used to helpmpull the skin together. It does haplen that the skin /tissue can "die" a d it mist be addressed.
I'm no vet and Imw no help to you other than to say this does sometimes happen and it does need veterinary attention.....a SEXOND OPINION "attention". And I know you are working towards that goal!
So the vet who saw Squizzy Wed.....saw the open "wound" and didn't suggest anything other than antibiotics...no covering, wrapping, warm compresses, etc? The fact that the draining appears to have stopped is good....the odor has stopped...all good.
You're doing an incredible job of hanging tough! I'm so sorry you are going through so much right now. But this shall lass and Squizzy will be feeling spunky again soon! Squizzy is eating and fee l ing better...al good! You are doing everythingnyou can until you can get another vet to take a look. The antibiotics shoukd keep everything under control too.
Sendingnyou a cybe group hug....and a whole lot of chocolate!!! Eat lots of chocolate...it helps!!
Try and get some rest and give Squizzy a big smooch fornus!
((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
You're dealing with a LOT right now and you're doing pretty darn well all things considered so keep it up. How is she doing today? I'm hoping that she's showing some improvement. Same goes for your Dad too. I hope he has a good recovery.
This isn't common but it's not unheard of either. One search in our forums for "infection" will have a ton of results so that should give you a little reassurance that this can happen, and it can get better. Any chance you'll be able to get to another vet today or tomorrow? I would get another opinion in a situation like this, it sounds like it's progressing rapidly and you don't want to wait if it can be helped at all. Sorry you have all that snow. I hope its safe to get out.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hiedy-ho friends!
I just had to thank you for all of your insight & support. I'm hanging tough for my "Squizz dude", but after 2 additional opinions, things are looking rather bleak. Between the vets, they feel that her immune system was too compromised from the cancer to really heal well to begin with, and with her skin being so thin, she made a poorer candidate for amputation anyway. I do believe our vet did everything he could within his power and knowledge to help her. They feel that the ulcerations (2-3 inches...one is...at least 1/2 inch deep) will not repair without skin grafts (which we do not have the means for) or more surgery, and then that takes us back to right now with an even less likely positive outcome.
One thing I did ask about was packing her wound...has anyone had any experience with this? For the most part, she is getting around great (10 days post op), decent appetite (which could be the prednisone too) and she's letting me keep her leg wrapped. I haven't gotten a response on this. Where the big gaping hole is at the very end, bottom side incision of her stump. It's tough to keep clean and a bandage on. Again, anyone have any experience with this? Her infection seems to be clearing up, but I'm wondering if the tissue damage is just too bad to recover from...the vets seem to think so...I'm in denial, I think.
Thanks for everything and any additional info is more than appreciated...
Blessings!
Lauren
Okay, first of all, having been on this site for wuite awhile now I've learned EVERYTHING is possible and to take your dog's lead when it comes to hope! Squizz IS doing better and Squizzy IS improving! Even WITHOUT the skin issues, ten days is still very early in recovery!!
I jave heard of "pack k ng wounds", but not enough to know if this will help in this case. And I do know skin grafts afe used sometimes too because of cases like this...again, dontw know enoughtp to be any help though.
And I dontw think you are in denial at all! I think you have a dog who is recovering from the amputation surgery very well (all things considered) and you have an unexpected curveball thrown your way and you are researching for options! We just have ro meep seeking out solutions.
LORI sure stuck it out with TY and stayed persistent.She wu not be dismissed and stayed the course until she found answers.
I hope someone with a better me ory than I can recall a somewhat similar case here. Seems like it was a Greyhound and it "seems" like some sort of "fake mesh skin" material was used...some sort of covering that mimics skin. It seems like stuff like that is used on burn latients.
I'm gon a go do some googling and some "advanced search" on here!
No, don't give up...there has to be a way. In the meantime, make every second count with Squizzy! Everyday after amputation for this stupid piece of crap disease is a bonus day anyway!!
Hang in there...youre doing great!!
Please give Squizzy a big hug for us and extra treats!!! And give yourself a big hug too! I hope things are better with your Dad...heck...give him a big hug from us too!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
I"m not sure what topic Sally is referring to, but it's clear you're doing everything possible for her, she's a lucky girl. I"m curious if the two opinions you got are vets in the same clinic? Because a lot of times what makes a big difference is going outside of the clinic to find a fresh eyes that can look at the situation. Not trying to make your life even more complicated but I know you want to save your girl and this might be what it takes. It's not unheard of for people ere to get a third opinion that makes all the difference for the animal. If you are near a teaching hospital, you can get great care at a decent price.
I'm so sorry, I know this is a tough time.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's something from googling from veterinarypracticenews.com. it's the first ine at the top...see if you can figure out how to pull that up. Sorry, my lack of techie skills is lff the chart bad!!!
Yeah Jerry, I may be hallucinating....it just seems "someone" had a huge issue...they had ro keep a drain in...remove dead skin, tissue, etc. and ended up covering the wound somehow...but if its not anything yo h can recall with your good young brain cells, I'm sure I'm waaaaay off base.
Anyway, the article above, even though it's outdated, could be a good starting point for alternatives other than grafting.
And I'm all for the third and how every many its takes "opinions" until you find some i ne who doesn't feel defeated vy this and is willing to TRY! Heck, this article even referred to velcro...skin stretching...things that they have tried that have worked!
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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