Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So we have had a set back with slim. He has a seroma . It started yesterday when it suddenly started draining, then the bruising appeared in the form of purple streaks. the good news is it doesn't smell, his white blood count is normal and their wasn't any sign of bacteria from the sample slide of fluid. the bad news is he may have to go back to CSU . Does anyone out their have any idea as to how much treating a seroma costs? Lets assume worst case and he needs another surgery.
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many seromas seem to just 'self obsorb' back into the body. as long as it's not smelling nasty, maybe that will be the case for you. gayle's went away on it's own, after turning every color of the rainbow. don't know about costs of draining one, hope it's not too much!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
We didnt' have to deal with that so i don't have any words of wisdom, but just wanted to let you know we are sending pawsitive thoughts that it will just be reabsorbed and not need additional srugery!
Good thoughts are coming your way...
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
When we were at CSU, Dakota had some minor issues arise that they just factored into the cost of the surgery. I'm not saying that will happen in your case, but it might. Surgery-related things that are not huge are often handled that way. I don't think many dogs with a seroma need surgery. He may need a drain tube, and that's not a huge deal. They'd likely sedate him to do it but it wouldn't be a full-scale surgery.
Who was Slim's surgeon?
(In our case, Dakota returned with lameness in a rear leg. He was examined by several specialists, including his surgeon, and x-rayed. The only thing they charged me for was the x-rays and the Tramadol he went home with. All the specialty consults were seen as part of his post-surgical treatment. The x-rays were about $50, easily half of what I expected.)
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Sammy had a huge c-cup seroma that hung down and looked quite serious. Our vet thought is was better not to drain it and suggested we treat it with warm compresses three times a day. Sure enough, it slowly absorbed over the next month.
At the U of I, his surgeons said seromas often occur when our energetic fur-kids try to do too much. I know they told us Sammy tried to get up an hour after the surgery. Those first few days, he scrambled up to potty, etc. It must have taken a toll because he slowed down by the next week and worried us by not eating or drinking. Such a difficult couple of weeks ... but after that, look out!
Beth, Smilin' Sammy and MB Wiggly Wrigley
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
We have experience with seroma 's! ..and second surgeries...and drain tubes...and staples...and third surgeries! To be honest I never dared add up the total! All I remember is that our vet was EXTREMELY generous and even before our third go-around we were just being charge for actual items used! "At-cost" surgeries are much lower then the usual price tag! My best guess would be a few thousand dollars.
I did begin to wonder what had we done!? Yet, through it all our sweet Boo never stopped smiling, never stopped eating, never stopped begging to go outside and play (even though we couldn't, and wouldn't let her). It was a month of hell...but when it was all over we had a brand new dog! Our final surgery was late September. By late December she was running through the snow happy as ever! We made it almost 3 years post-amp and her last minutes were spent running and playing in the park. Proof that you just can't keep a good dog down!
Our case is (very?) rare, and normally seroma 's go away on their own, but should you find yourself back in surgery, remember better days are just around the corner!
Boo became a Tripawd Warrior Princess on Sept 8, 2009. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge 2.7 years later on April 29, 2012. Run free Angel Boo!
Ok curiosity got the best of me! - slimsdad - you asked how much?
Our first surgery (the initial amp) was $1100, our second surgery (staples) was just $90! And our third surgery (complete restitch with extra strong thread) was $360. I knew our vet was kind and generous, but looking back on the bills...WOW. There are still good folks out there. Now if only my Vet would be willing to take ME on as a patient!
I hope everything is going well with you and Slim! When you get a minute be sure to give us an update! For now, we'll all assume no news = good news!
Boo became a Tripawd Warrior Princess on Sept 8, 2009. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge 2.7 years later on April 29, 2012. Run free Angel Boo!
Sorry it's been so long but i didn't want to post anything until he was home. So it was a seroma and it did require a second surgery. The fluid in the seroma built up until it was seeping out of the incision and eventually open a hole through the skin. We took him back to CSU and through an act of exceptional kindness and generosity performed the surgery that we couldn't afford. without these kind people at CSU we wouldn't have our boy with us right now. Slim is home and resting comfortably, now the challenge is back to where we started and getting him healthy again. We really can't express how much we owe the people at CSU. can't say enough about them.
Dakota had his surgery at CSU and I was very impressed with their compassion and professionalism. We also got a ton of freebies, sort "look the other way" kinds of stuff snuck in and ignored at billing time. And when he had to go back for x-rays due to some limping, the cost was minimal. They are very nice people who have a lot of karma points.
Where are you folks at? I think you said you are Northern Colorado, if memory serves. We're east of Boulder a bit in Lafayette.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Glad Slim is home again. That's good medicine too.
All of you out in Colorado ae very fortunate to have such an outstanding facility as CSU.
Heather & Spirit Shadow
Hooray for Slim being home again - and hooray for the wonderful folks at CSU. Wish we'd lived near them too!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Phew. Thank you for the update. So relieved to hear Slim is home and the vet was full of good karma! It may not seem like it now, but when you look back on all this you will be amazed at how strong you BOTH are!
Deep breaths - You can do this!
Amanda & Angel Boo
Boo became a Tripawd Warrior Princess on Sept 8, 2009. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge 2.7 years later on April 29, 2012. Run free Angel Boo!
Aww, good to hear he's healing up from that. Yep, CSU is pretty pawesome. Good folks there, for sure.
Thanks for letting us know how he's doing. Once he's ready for an outing, I hope you guys can get together with our group of Northern Colorado Tripawders, it's growing by leaps and bounds!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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