Hemotoma Run Amok!

[sobesmom]

Sobe came in from a romp in the yard limping a couple weeks ago. No real biggie, he runs too hard sometimes, and pulls a muscle once in a while. Limps a bit for a day, always a different leg, no biggie. The old boy has to "race" with the young dogs sometimes (and he still usually "wins").

 

But then - after a few days, he was still limping, on a front leg. Then - his shoulder swelled up HUGE! I took him to the vet. The vet thought the worst - tumor - and did xrays, bloodwork, the lot.

 

Discovered (thankfully) - no tumor, no bone issues, no dislocation -basically - NOTHING. He "assumed" a badly pulled muscle - that broke blood vessels - and caused a hemotoma. Pulled a syringe - and yep, just blood. Tested his blood to see if there was some sort of bleeding disorder - nope, clotting time is fine.

 

So - Sent us home with some mild painkillers, and antibiotics as a precautionary measure that the blob doesn't get infected.

 

 

Now - over 2 weeks later - the shoulder is STILL as swollen as it was - and he still only puts weight on it sporadically. Some days, he seems better and walks on it, and even runs a little in the yard - then - some days, he doesn't put that leg down at all.

 

I'm at a loss. The vet said it would "take a while" for a hemotoma of that size to dissapate. But - what's A WHILE??????

 

Should I call the vet again? Find a different vet?

[Guest eaglflyt]

I think I'd check with your/a vet again. Many times hematomas may need to be drained rather than being reabsorbed ... especially if they are really large. It's a good think Sobe has been on antibiotics since those collections of blood/fluid can become infected.

[greypuppyluv]

My foster whippet, Hallie, had a big (at least to me) hematoma on her back when I got her and the vet said it could take a month to go down. It's taken at least that and will probably take another week for it to go away.

 

Here's a picture of the hematoma on her back

[Guest greytexplorer]

Move over, Hallie. Your hematoma is NOTHING compared to MINE!!!!

 

On Dec 31, I slipped on some outside steps. it was about 10am, no alcohol involved. (yet)

 

A doctor friend told me that I probably tore up some muscles in my buttocks.

and lost about a unit of blood back there.

Do you know what a unit of blood looks like? like when you give blood?

well, that's what my hematoma looks like. About 8" by 4".

 

I went to a surgeon today, hoping that he would be able to drain the 'toma.

Nope, he said. Can't. It's like jello. Won't drain.

Will take about a month to resolve. I'm already into this about 2 weeks now.

(On an up-side, the doc and his asst were EXTREMELY impressed with the size of my 'toma.)

 

Letting the body reabsorb the blood/fluid is best, because of the nutrients--iron, and etc.

The body knows what to do, just give it the time to do it.

 

I was VERY upset. I can't go to meetings in sweat pants, right????

My hematoma is so large, I gave her a name (Cheeky Monkey)and her own zip code.

 

The only thing that would make me feel better is having The Largest Hematoma Ever Award from the Guinness Book of World Records.

 

I take that back. No, that wouldn't make me feel better.

I should probably change my moniker now from greytexplorer to hematomaqueen.

 

And my song..............

 

My hematoma has a first name

It's C.h.i.c.y.

My hematoma has last name

It's M.o.n.k.y.

Oh I hate that she is here to stay

And if you ask me why I'll say

That hematoma's have a way

Of causing wardrobe mal-feng-shui.

 

~Pat

[Guest amour]

Move over, Hallie. Your hematoma is NOTHING compared to MINE!!!!

 

On Dec 31, I slipped on some outside steps. it was about 10am, no alcohol involved. (yet)

 

A doctor friend told me that I probably tore up some muscles in my buttocks.

and lost about a unit of blood back there.

Do you know what a unit of blood looks like? like when you give blood?

well, that's what my hematoma looks like. About 8" by 4".

 

I went to a surgeon today, hoping that he would be able to drain the 'toma.

Nope, he said. Can't. It's like jello. Won't drain.

Will take about a month to resolve. I'm already into this about 2 weeks now.

(On an up-side, the doc and his asst were EXTREMELY impressed with the size of my 'toma.)

 

Letting the body reabsorb the blood/fluid is best, because of the nutrients--iron, and etc.

The body knows what to do, just give it the time to do it.

 

I was VERY upset. I can't go to meetings in sweat pants, right????

My hematoma is so large, I gave her a name (Cheeky Monkey)and her own zip code.

 

The only thing that would make me feel better is having The Largest Hematoma Ever Award from the Guinness Book of World Records.

 

I take that back. No, that wouldn't make me feel better.

I should probably change my moniker now from greytexplorer to hematomaqueen.

 

And my song..............

 

My hematoma has a first name

It's C.h.i.c.y.

My hematoma has last name

It's M.o.n.k.y.

Oh I hate that she is here to stay

And if you ask me why I'll say

That hematoma's have a way

Of causing wardrobe mal-feng-shui.

 

~Pat

 

Hi Pat!

Had to brag about "Nancy" Couldn't resist??? Want to see a pic. here!?!?!? hahaha

Guess who??

[sobesmom]

Move over, Hallie. Your hematoma is NOTHING compared to MINE!!!!

 

On Dec 31, I slipped on some outside steps. it was about 10am, no alcohol involved. (yet)

 

A doctor friend told me that I probably tore up some muscles in my buttocks.

and lost about a unit of blood back there.

Do you know what a unit of blood looks like? like when you give blood?

well, that's what my hematoma looks like. About 8" by 4".

 

I went to a surgeon today, hoping that he would be able to drain the 'toma.

Nope, he said. Can't. It's like jello. Won't drain.

Will take about a month to resolve. I'm already into this about 2 weeks now.

(On an up-side, the doc and his asst were EXTREMELY impressed with the size of my 'toma.)

 

Letting the body reabsorb the blood/fluid is best, because of the nutrients--iron, and etc.

The body knows what to do, just give it the time to do it.

 

I was VERY upset. I can't go to meetings in sweat pants, right????

My hematoma is so large, I gave her a name (Cheeky Monkey)and her own zip code.

 

The only thing that would make me feel better is having The Largest Hematoma Ever Award from the Guinness Book of World Records.

 

I take that back. No, that wouldn't make me feel better.

I should probably change my moniker now from greytexplorer to hematomaqueen.

 

And my song..............

 

My hematoma has a first name

It's C.h.i.c.y.

My hematoma has last name

It's M.o.n.k.y.

Oh I hate that she is here to stay

And if you ask me why I'll say

That hematoma's have a way

Of causing wardrobe mal-feng-shui.

 

~Pat

 

That's ginormous!!! Holy crapoly! OUCH!!! Sorry!

 

OK - now my dumb question - I always thought a "hemotoma" was a bruise. Had Lots of those myself. But this is a big swollen ..... thing?

[sobesmom]

My foster whippet, Hallie, had a big (at least to me) hematoma on her back when I got her and the vet said it could take a month to go down. It's taken at least that and will probably take another week for it to go away.

 

Here's a picture of the hematoma on her back

 

That looks ouchie! Is she in pain? Sobe's is bigger than that, I'd guess. From the top of his shoulderbone, down to above his elbow. Maybe 3" wide, by 5" long, and sticking out 2" - just guessing. So - If Hallie's is supposed to take a MONTH to go down - am I looking at like 3 MONTHS?????? Oh poor Sobe. He's hobbling on 3 legs. That's GOT to make the rest of his legs ache! CRAP.

[LuvAPuppy]

 

 

OK - now my dumb question - I always thought a "hemotoma" was a bruise. Had Lots of those myself. But this is a big swollen ..... thing?

 

the literal definition is hemat/o=blood oma=tumor. it is a bruise. a massive bruise. a huge "tumor" of blood collected at the site of a trauma. a trauma can be anything from a fall, a collision to a surgery -- anything that traumatized the body and causes bleeding. When it clots, it can't be aspirated because it's all dried up or jello-like. It can be surgically excised at that point, but .... that would cause more bleeding and possibly another hematoma!

[Guest IHeartDogs]

They can stick around for awhile. My weim, Lucy, had 2 last year in the thighs. One took 2 months to go away.

Try to keep him quiet, no exercising or rough housing. Hope it goes down soon. If it causes him pain then take him to the vet, otherwise give it more time.

Edited January 16, 2010 by IHeartDogs

[greypuppyluv]

My foster whippet, Hallie, had a big (at least to me) hematoma on her back when I got her and the vet said it could take a month to go down. It's taken at least that and will probably take another week for it to go away.

 

Here's a picture of the hematoma on her back

 

That looks ouchie! Is she in pain? Sobe's is bigger than that, I'd guess. From the top of his shoulderbone, down to above his elbow. Maybe 3" wide, by 5" long, and sticking out 2" - just guessing. So - If Hallie's is supposed to take a MONTH to go down - am I looking at like 3 MONTHS?????? Oh poor Sobe. He's hobbling on 3 legs. That's GOT to make the rest of his legs ache! CRAP.

Hallie hasn't been in any pain. I manipulate the hematoma but it doesn't seem to bother her. When the vet told me it could take a month for it to go down, I think he meant hematomas in general, not just hers. Hopfefully Sobe's will only take a month or so to go down.

[sobesmom]

Thanks everybody for the info. Sobe's blob is STILL as big as ever. He doesn't act like he's in pain - but it kills me to see him gimping around on 3 legs. He's very....queit. Not active at all. Kind of .... invisible. Some days, he seems to feel better, and moves faster - then seems to "pay" for it, and seems worse for a while.

 

I'm going to call the vet on Monday - give his status, and see what they say. Probably - the answer will be "more time". I just hate to see him like this. He's just NOT himself. The foster-dog is running AMOK without "THE BOSS" to keep him in line - and our Diana...just seems a bit confused ...and not sure what to do ... not her normal, bouncy, outgoing self - because her brother, THE BOSS.... isn't being... THE BOSS.

 

Geesh - I used to gripe a bit about Sobe being "the old man" ... "the crabby guy"... "the boss of the dogs".....but...I've now come to realize... that this house runs a LOT smoother - and all the dogs KNOW what to do, and how to act.... when "the old man" is running the show! We're currently in a "power vaccuum"!!!!! Nobody's in charge - and nobody knows what to do! I guess I need to do a post in another forum about this new situation.