Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Good morning to all =)
It is a new day and new challenges await us all. Though I may not be smiling at the end of today I so far am able to smile this morning lol.
I wanted to ask about drainage from surgical incision and how bad it can be. Bonz will be a week past surgery as of tomorrow (Friday). He dripped all over the floor when he walked first few days. We started just putting tshirts on him when he walked to spare the carpet some. Now mind you we accidentally pulled out his drainage tube Sunday but it was still draining out that hole and also a few drops out of the middle of the incision line where one stitch broke and it came open just a tad. The vet was aware of that opening though as they saw it when he picked Bonz up.
Well drainage stopped Tuesday morning. By Wednesday morning though WOW. There was a huge pinkish stain in the bed about 1 foot across. He soaks 8inch wide circles on his shirts 30 minutes after wearing them. He soaks them even laying down when before the liquid only appeared when he walked or stood up. We took him to the vet yesterday but our surgeon was out. We saw another Dr. He said drainage was expected and that as long as it is clearish pink not 'blood' blood then it is expected. He did give us some anti-biotics (woohoo MORE pills to give him lol..Bonz haaaaates pills) But he said it was fine.
I will try to post a few pics. I say try. I am a network engineer yet I suck at message boards lol.. Mind you the shirt pic is a fresh shirt that we had put on him like 3 minutes ago. Should we take him BACK and let surgeon see him?
Although my cat did not scratch at her stitches she only scratched at the drain and pulled the stitch off the drainage tube - this was after 3 days. I took her to the vets and he removed the tube totally. It continued to drain somewhat, looked the same colour as yours. I just kept the area clean using a wet baby facecloth.
Your vet gave the same advice as mine which was to watch to see if its bloody . If still uncomfortable could you phone the surgeon and/or email your photo?
Hope the Bonz continues to improve.
Kerren and Trikitty Mona
I called back this morning and Surgeon called. I emailed him the pics as well as the huge stain on our bed. He said he wants it to drain. He said if anything he would REMOVE a staple or two so it would drain more.
I mainly don't like it makes Bonz uncomfortable. It is like wetting the bed for him. He lays on the wet spot and then he moves just to make another wet spot and move again and poor guy has nowhere to go to stay dry cause he leaks.
Dr suggested towels or pee pee pads but my old guy is a fickle little furry person. he does not like the texture of towels or pee pee pads lol. He prefers our mattress and sheets.
Lots of Tripawds have a ton of leakage like this. Gross, but normal and as long as you're in contact with the vet about it, things should be fine. What they said is exactly right, as long as there's no odor and it's more watery than bloody, it's all just normal bodily fluid that's working it's way out. Thankfully it doesn't last long. Some dogs get drains put in and some don't, just depends on the surgeon. You're doing great, so hang in there.
P.S. Would it be OK if we posted that photo of the incision in our Gallery?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We didn't have a drain and had leakage. No problem at all, as long as you keep it clean and it is pinkish, not pure blood, and doesn't smell bad. I did manage to put a bandage on Johnnie, recommended by the surgeon, and disinfected twice a day with clorexidin.
Daniela
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Please consult your vet with any serious concerns, and review these articles, photos and videos so you know what to look for in seromas gone bad...
Post-Amputation Side Effects in Dogs
Dog Leg Amputation Seromas: What You Need to Know
Amputation Wound Care for Post-Surgery Dogs
Amputation Surgery Suture Reaction in Dogs
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Have they said to bathe the area also with cool boiled water?
We had a very tiny weap the day after returning home & went straight back down to see the vet! They gave antibiotics to air on the side of caution & told us to bathe it three times a day with cool boiled water which we did. We also ice packed to help.
Thats good that they have given you pills also to help this...I always laugh at the vet & say time & time again...liquid form, no problem, tablets...give me spares as we will waste them trying top get them down, HOWEVER....we found a way...I had to smother Sandy's in butter to disguise them...the only way to get them in her...it's only taken me 12years to find this method works after trying to stuff pills in cheese, ham & all different methods of getting them in her failing every time.
Its great to let the air get to it for healing & leakage but have they not suggested to try an absorbent bandage for the night so he can snooze comfortably? May be worth asking them if you haven't already.
Hope it clears up soon.
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