Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I can't help but feel like I may have made the wrong decision. I thought the hardest part of Valentina's recovery would be her learning to walk because she is a Great Dane and weighs 150lbs. But she learned to walk just fine. I think that since she was only using her other 3 legs because of the pain from the tumor a few weeks before the surgery helped her to learn to balance with 3 legs. What I wish I had been prepared for is a complication that Valentina has. I'm not sure if it is a true seroma but she has been having a large amount of bloody drainage since her surgery. She is 15 days post op.
The vets had inserted a drainage tube to prevent the fluid from building up inside of the incision. They told me that she had a pocket of fluid that needed to be able to drain and that it would take about a week for it to stop or slow down. 2 weeks later and it is still draining like crazy.They were coming to my house to change the bandage every 2 days but the bandage started to smell awful and I got worried. I thought it needed to be changed everyday at the least and so the vet taught me how to change it. The smell got alot better but the drainage was still alot. I thought it was changing color and the vet keeps coming back and forth to my house to evaluate it and always says it's fine. He did end up taking out the drain because he said he thought that her body was having a problem with it.
Since he took out the drain it is draining even more and is a brighter red. I was worried so I called him again and he came to my house again and said that taking the drain out caused some of the tissues to get disrupted and that they would have to heal all over again. He said it was doing just fine. Every since she came home I have had to constantly wash towels and sheets that she is laying on because this drainage is getting everywhere. If she gets up I have to follow her with something to catch the drainage.Even with a bandage it soaks completely through in about an hour after changing it and then constantly leaks all over the place until it is time to change it again. I thought this was supposed to get a little better each day but not for me. There seems to be no end in sight. I did ask the vet if he had any idea when this would stop and he said in about one more week.
I never dreamed I would have to watch my dog leak massive amounts of bloody fluid everywhere for 3 weeks or more . The amputation is bad enough without looking at your dog laying there with all of this bloody stuff all over her day after day with no change. I wish I knew someone else that has gone through this so they could give me some encouragement and advice. This has been truly awful! I think that it has been harder on Valentina also since she is so large. I feel so bad that I did this to her. I thought I wanted to do chemo but now I am not sure because after she finally does get back to some kind of normal I don't want to do anything to her to make her feel bad again. But I do keep changing my mind back and forth. It is such a confusing decision. Just like the decision to do the amputation. Reading other stories about amputations is what helped me make my decision to go ahead with it.So I have been trying to read stories about chemo experiences to help me with that. Everything that I read before the amputation did say that I would probably question my decision the first 2 weeks post op and that sure was true. I am just relying on God to help me get through this challenging time. I know that this will not last forever and that it will pass,but it sire is ALOT harder than I thought it would be.
Yesterday my husband and I got the bandage on perfectly. It didn't leak the rest of the evening and through the night. I was surprised when I woke up and looked over at her and it had not leaked. I took her outside and when we came in I was happy to see that she didn't want to just lay down. She wanted to stand next to me and lean on me while I petted her. Then all of a sudden her bandage burst open and a flood of the bloody fluid gushed out all over the floor and my feet. I yelled for my husband and he rushed to help me. That's when I called the vet and he later came over and told me everything was fine. I am so looking forward to a day when this drainage stops and I keep trying to hang in there but this is exhausting. I am worrying so much. I can't sleep well even though I am sleeping beside her. I have to also constantly watch her to keep her from licking it. I don't like putting the cone on her. I have also lost some weight from all the worrying. I have read lots of other Moms worrying too so I know that I am not alone. I am thankful for this site. It is definitely helping me. People that have not been through this just don't get it.
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I don't know what to say other than this is something Dr. Pam would probably know all about. Pm her, she is listed as "Tazziedog". I am so sorry she has had these complications. It sounds awful! But, I bet she would rather be trying and having issues then the alternative.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Hi Angel,
First off, I'm soooooooooooooooo sorry your Dane is having such a rough time. I feel your pain...my heart goes out to you and your pup. I'm sorry that I don't have any advice or comments on the seroma as my dog didn't really have any drainage to speak of. But she had other issues for 2 wks of not wanting to eat and low grade fever.
Sometimes I wish there was a place our tripawds could go after surgery for their recovery. It sure seems alot of Tripawds have such a time recovering and it sure as heck isn't easy on us owners that haven't a CLUE what is normal or not normal for recovery.
I hope SOON the drainage stops for your sake and your Dane's...
Thinking of you...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
You didn't make the wrong decision, you just need a new vet if you ask me. I hope Pam has time to weigh in but if not consider getting a second opinion.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
You are definitely doing the right thing. I agree with Tatespeeps, I hope Pam or someone else here can help soon. I would think about a second opinion too if it is an option. So sorry you both are having a tough go with this.
Thank You everyone. I am considering a vet change. It just doesn't seem like they understand that most of us have never been through this kind of thing before and we certainly don't know what is normal and what isn't. I think that they are so desensitized to everything because they are so used to being around it everyday that they forget how worried and fearful that their clients may be. They act like it's no big deal that she is leaking this bloody fluid everywhere. It actually scared one of my daughters and neither of my daughgters have been able to have anyone over because of this going on and it's their summer vacation. It's a good thing I am not squeamish because if I was I totally would not be able to deal with this. Today when the bandage burst open there were these giant clots of blood that were so disgusting. The vet said that it was nothing to worry about. Everytime they come to my house it costs almost $100. It is really hard to transport her so they have been coming here. And with all that drainage it would be a mess for her to go in the car and everything. Also it has been almost 100 degrees here and she has a horrible time in the heat. We thought the surgery was expensive but we had no idea we were going to keep racking up bill for the vet to come to our house constantly. Even if I did decide to do chemo I might run out of money just from these housecalls.It's almost time for me to buy more Rimadyl and Gabapentin also. It is $90 for just 20 days of the Rimadyl. Big dogs have big vet bills. But Valentina is totally worth it. She is my dream come true dog. She has made my life so much better. It seems like I just got her. But now she will be 8 yrs old on Nov. 1st. I got her on Christmas Day 2003. She weighed 20lbs. I put her to sleep on my chest everynight just like a baby until she was too big . She is the most wonderful dog I have ever known in my entire life!!!!!
I, too am so sorry. It is very hard especially if there are some complications.
First off, you need to get some sleep and rest. You are drained and exhausted. Try to sleep in your own bed if you have to. Please, do it for the both of you. You are strong and can handle this but you are just too tired right now.
Dr. Pam is DVM (tazziedog) and she wrote a post in your last post. She had a Mastiff and like fightingforsammy said, send her a PM and ask her opinion on how to get the bleeding to stop and/or if it could possibly be something else going on. (go back to your other post and on tazziedog's post, click the "PM" button)
Just know we are here for you. Don't worry yourself to sickness. Come back and write us when you feel stressed.
You made the right decision with Valentina. You can and will get through this. Your love for her will get your through, I promise.
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.
I just saw your earlier post on this. Don't feel bad about getting a second opinion, your vet doesn't even need to know about it. If the new vet agrees, then you'll have peace of mind. If not, then Valentina will get the care she needs. Either way, you'll sleep better. Use a sling or something to help her into the car; she could probably use a change of scenery anyway. I've found vets are very reasonable about second opinions.
Whatever you do, try to act normal around her. Get the cone on her. I thought Tate would never accept the cone but he did eventually. Just slip it on like it's no big deal and give her an extra-yummy treat you only use when you put the cone on her. You can't monitor her 100% of the time and she needs some space too.
I'd put the chemo decision on the back burner for now. You have enough on your plate...one step at a time. Hang in there!
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
I sure wouldnt hesitate to get a second opinion, nothing about what you have said sounds normal. Cooper had problems early on with his incision and had to have a second surgery to clean everything up, and then he did get better. If your vet wont address this properly - dont feel badly at all about a second opinion, if I had not gotten a second opinion before Coop had his amp he would not be here right now. You do what you have to do for your furbaby.
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Thank you for all of the support. Everyone here is wonderful. I did get to sleep in my bed for 1 night . My sister came over and slept downstairs with Valentina. I did get a little better sleep that night but when I get sleep deprived it takes me along time to get back to normal. So that was kind of a tease. I am glad that I started to sleep on a blowup mattress after a couple of days instead of the couch because the couch was killing my back. I am also glad that this is happening in the summer instead of when school is in session because that would add alot of extra stress to this situation. I still have until August 29th till the kids go back to school. Hopefully this will resolve somewhat before the summer is over so I can spend some time with my kids doing something other than worrying about this drainage.
Definitely, this doesn't sound "normal." A second opinion would at least put your mind at ease. Rio hardly had any drainage, but her bruising was extensive. The whole surgery was freaky and scary enough, but to see my girl's entire undercarriage covered in red, purple and blue bruises was totally disconcerting. I was on the phone to my doc nearly every day for several days!
To have a vet that completely discounts your concerns is, in my opinion, grounds for dismissal. If your vet isn't concerned or doesn't make you feel like they are doing the best thing possible for your dog, then get a new vet. I'm a firm believer in intuition. You know what's best for your Valentina, and you know when she's not getting it. Don't settle!
Rio's mom
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I'll throw my three paws worth in. Our vet told us to try and keep Gus calm during recovery, part of the reason was to much activity could cause excess fluid buildup. For most, to much activity post op isn't a problem, but from what your descibing, I haven't heard of this much drainage, so I'm going to jump on the second opinion bus. I have seen some stories here about how a vet treats things that make you wonder what the heck they are thinking. I truly believe SOME vets, by no means all, but some feel as though you the client don't have a clue about anything, and you are suppose to listen to whatever they tell you. You've heard it before, go with your gut, and if your gut tells you more needs to be done, then do what it takes. yea, this whole process isn't cheap, and if your spending that kind of money, you want to see results at least to where you know things are improving. As far as your vet being callous to knowing what your going through, possible, but I am going to say almost all vets understand the anxiety we the owners are going through at these times, and try to help you anyway they can. If it's that hot out, hopefully Valentina is drinking enough water since that fluid would need replaced, at least I would think so. As far as regrets, try to avoid that thought, you can't change anything now, move on and address each issue as needed. You made that decision based on what you felt would give Valentina the best quality life, and when we make those decisions we hope the end result turns out to what we intended, it's just the road getting to that point isn't the easiest, BUT, once you hit that point where the healing is done, you will look back and say man, what a ride, but for now, second guessing will tear you apart. You say to yourself yea, what light at the end of what tunnel, believe us, it's there, I guess for some it takes a little longer to get there. Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Glad to hear you got some rest, that will help you mentally deal with what is going on. I was the first to jump on the second opinion band wagon in the other topic.
I've always been a vet 'jumper'. If the vet I'm using doesn't seem to grasp the concept of the problem, it's time to find someone who does. I've never regretted making a change, and I've even changed back over the course of time. Trouble was an allergy dog, and when one would come to the end of their rope treating her, I'd give someone else the opportunity! Once she was back under control, I'd take her back to her original vet. The vet knew what I was doing, and frankly, I think she appreciated the break. Allergies weren't her specialty, but she was great with everything else. Large dog amputations may not be your vet's forte - not saying he isn't a great vet otherwise.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I have had three vets in 4 years. One who had a terrible interpersonal skills, but was fine with the dogs for basic care. One who diagnosed Rumbles cancer, but missed an unrelated infection several months later. And an orthopedic specialist who did the amputation. They have all shared Rumbles health history chart and have even spoken with one another on the phone. They are professional people and they accept the 'care team' approach that I feel is best for my dog.
A suggestion: Try to phone interview some alternative vets. I have done this and found the ones who take the time for a phone conversation are also the ones who will pay great attention to our pets and us during both normal times and exceptional times such as this.
OK, I'll jump in also and say get a new vet. I've had 6 dogs with multiple problems and yours doesn't seem right. Cooper had a little drainage days 2-4 and I freaked but my vet said not to worry but also asked me questions like...how much fluid? A teaspoon or less? Is the color pink or red? I felt like he knew what was OK and what wasn't. Also, we started chemo yesterday (oral) and I looked at him and said, Wayne, I've had dogs with diabetes, heart defects, allergies, etc but never one with cancer. Please tell me exactly what is going on and what the treatment is and why. He spent a good 1/2 hour going over everything (again, we did it when first diagnosed). He told me what is normal side effects and what isn't. He actually listens to what I have to say (now I have spent a bloody fortune with him due to all my dogs various ailments). Anyway, I hope your beautiful Valentina (wonderful name too!) gets better soon. Keep us posted please!
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