Yet another vets visit for weeping wound
We had another rough day yesterday and that is why I haven’t posted for a couple of days.
Barney’s leg was, as my husband said more than once, “Running like a tap!” The fluid which is serum* was pouring out of 2 gaping wounds both approx 2cm long (see photo). The description of the running tap was absolutely right. We just did not know what to do so again in a panic we went to the vets our appointment wasn’t till 6pm but we couldn’t wait and just went at 4.45pm. Barney sleeps on duvets with covers, so we took one of those to the vets so as not to make the vets floor a swimming pool. The nurse in the practise was very calm when she saw Barney and said “that just serum”, trust me this does not put you mind at rest.
The vet, Jo, saw us in the waiting room, he is really patient with us had a quick look confirmed what Tracey (nurse) had said, he telephoned our orthopaedic surgeon who operated on Barney to see if he should stitch it on not. The surgeon said leave it open. Jo then, in between his other appointments, gently explained to us (again) that this was OK. This is like having a natural drain, having the liquid leave his body in this way was ok, it wasn’t infected (Barney is still on Antibiotics). We kept on asking questions, would he get dehydrated if this continued – no, should we still take him for walks as it seems worse after exercise –yes, is it really yukky stuff as Barney and Fred quite like to lick it if we don’t get there first – no it is supposed to be sterile fluid so won’t harm anyone.
After another 20 mins of reassurance Tracey asked if we would like it cleaned, I had cleaned it in the morning, the fluid is really hard once it dries and it took me ages to get it out his fur. Tracey went to work, she was brilliant and I won’t be frighten of hurting him when I do myself, she was firm but lovely, and rubbed quite hard and Barney just laid there loving all the attention. This was all happening in the waiting room with people in and out for appointments all making a fuss of Barney so he was well happy.
Today he really is like Barney he has had two lovely walks; he has been playing, running and happy. He has even started greeting us like he used to, that is holding our hand in his mouth and walking with us, he is so gentle.
I have just finished my 12th wash load of the day, tumble drier has been going non stop but it looks like Barney is only dripping now – result. I hope the worse is over. Chemo next week! Thanks for reading my blog.
*I have included the definition of this word [Serum: The clear liquid that can be separated from clotted blood. Serum differs from plasma, the liquid portion of normal unclotted blood containing the red and white cells and platelets. It is the clot that makes the difference between serum and plasma.]
One of Barneys open wounds where all the fluid was pouring from approx 2cms
November 21st, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Sorry to hear about all that constant draining problem that Barney has been having… As long as it’s not infected (it would look icky and have a nasty smell) it is fine. It’s the body’s way of getting rid of stuff.
Evey dog is different… Jake drained alot for the first week… then slowed down and finally stopped. Other dogs drain alot longer. Just keep cleaning it daily with whatever your vet has recommended… It will eventually stop! You can be firm, it shouldn’t hurt him… it’s already been over 3 weeks since his surgery… It’s probably more itchy than painful now, anyways… and Barney will probably enjoy it!
Hope the draining ends soon, so you can all go on and enjoy life!!!
Angel Jake’s Mom
November 21st, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Hi Barney’s Mom,
Opie had the same thing. I took him to the vet last Saturday, because it was just streaming out of him. It is pretty disconcerting. I was told the same thing. Let it drain. Opie’s stitches came out yesterday and he still has one open area that is seeping still. The vet gave us silver sulfadiazine cream 1% to put on the opening so it will begin to scab over. He got his first chemo treatment and seems to be himself today. Sometimes it is hard to tell with Opie because since puppyhood he has always been lazy and relatively stoic.
I know what you mean about the laundry. I never thought Iwould be doing a whole load of t-shirts just for Opie.
Sounds like Barney is right on track and doing great.
Opie’s Mom
November 21st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Isn’t it just awful, but things have definitely started to calm down. Hope Opie is fine with his Chemo what sortis he having?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Thanks for sharing this important info. Glad to hear Barney is doing fine and the serum tap is slowing down.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Glad to hear there were no worries after all… I know I was on the phone 1-2 times a day with the vets the first couple weeks Shilo came home. Glad to hear that he is back to leading you around, I love that!!
November 24th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Thanks for reading our blog, I think as many of us should share our experiences good and bad as it will definitely help someone else later.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
How is this draining now? Raven’s was long lasting too. Even my vet said it went on quite a while and theorized it is due to his size (110 lb. Rott). To keep it from drying/hardening I had him in a wrap around this chest/shoulder over the incision. Then I would tuck in a dishtowel over the lower part that leaked. I had to change this 3x a day until last week, it would be soaked. I would just reach in and pull it out and stuff in a new one. Also did lots of laundry. But it kept it from drying and from him licking it. Closing it would cause him to retain all that fluid, Raven was puffed up like a marshmallow until we opened it with a drain, so just let it continue. As long as he’s on antibiotics, it will be fine and will stop soon. 🙂