TRIPAWDS: Home to 22969 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Wound infection - care tips?
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
22 December 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
17 January 2023 - 12:35 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi all. Does anyone have advice about how to care for a wound infection? My sweet pup had his amputation about three weeks ago and the wound is oozing today after weeks of being fine. I sent the vet photos and he said it's infected and prescribed an antibiotic. I gave my dog the antibiotic, but I forgot to ask the vet if I should do anything else for it. Bandage it? (He was sent home without bandages so we haven't used them yet.) Warm compress? 

Right now he's oozing a blood-like goo through his t-shirts. I keep changing the shirt but feels like there must be something I can do. Would love any advice. 

-Lilly (and Eli)

PS: My dog was diagnosed a month ago. I've been living on this website since then. It's been an incredibly hard few weeks and I'm so so grateful for this site. I called the Tripawd Help Line in a tearful panic a few weeks ago about pain management . Sally was a lifeline and helped me figure out what was going on with my pup, and how to talk to my vet about changing his medication. He's now doing fine. This site saved my sweet boy from so much distress and I'm so grateful for the community. 

Here and Now


Member Since:
25 April 2007
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
17 January 2023 - 1:40 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Please consult with your vet again.

Do not apply anything directly yo the incision area. A warm compress will increase circulation to the area, which may make matters worse. But we are not vets! A cold compress can reduce swelling. Regardless you don't want to apply anything moist.

Here is an old post about wound care for Tripawds, but every dog and every condition is different. Please only take medical advice from your veterinary team.

While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. Many others have shared similar experiences over the years...You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!

Please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.

New England
Member Since:
11 January 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
18 January 2023 - 5:32 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I second the recommendation to talk to your vet for further guidance.

I have a chronic infection condition.  This is what I would do for myself and it should be an OK starting point for your pet.  However, your vet is going to have more specific knowledge for animals that you should follow.  Compresses should not be used on an open, oozing infection.  At this stage, you want to keep the area cool and dry.  Exposure to air is OK (good for drying), but I would probably apply clean gauze to cover the area and keep it clean.  Change 3-4 times per day, depending on how much discharge there is.  If the discharge dries and adheres the gauze to the skin, wet a clean piece of gauze and daub to gently remove.  Then allow to dry fully before applying a new bandage.  

Member Since:
22 December 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
18 January 2023 - 3:48 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thank you so much, everyone. I talked to my vet again. He didn't recommend much! Warm compress, keep dry, and the antibiotics. It's much better today, thank goodness. Really appreciate everyone's thoughts.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
18 January 2023 - 5:58 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi Lily!!!   So glad you reached out a bit ago on the Helpline.   It was really nice speaking with you and hearing all about Eli.  So glad the "tips" helped!👍

FWIW,  IF it continues , I would go on and set up an appointment  with the Vet and ask that a culture be done.  One reason would be to rule out MRSA .  The other reason would be to pinpoint the exact anti to resolve that particular jnfection.

Is the area warm/hot and swollen?  Is the discharge stinky?  Apu ds like maybe the a antibiotic  he gave you is helping??

 Keep us posted.  Extra smooches and treats to Eli🥰

Hugs

Sally  and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!

The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
25 April 2007
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
19 January 2023 - 12:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

That's good you spoke with the team. Sometimes just keeping things very simple is the best way to go. The warm compress should help that fluid drain. Is she OK with having you do it?

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 169
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17731
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256797
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG