greysmom Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 So Dude had his stitches removed yesterday from his back leg amp. He really is doing very well overall. BUT - The lower part of the incision did not heal and they left some of the stitches in, to come out next week, and there is a big open wound that is, for lack of a better description - juicy, weeping, and on the verge of being infected. It needs to have the air get to it, but he also keeps laying on it, so leaving it without any sort of covering is really not an option. I've tried several different ways of bandaging - loose gauze and tape, large sterile pad with sticky edges, large wound bandage and cloth tape, large sterile pad and regular surgical tape. Nothing stays on. The wound is too mobile, and wet, for anything sticky to stay on his skin. I've been spraying it with antibiotic neosporin spray and antiseptic spray, and using a wound wash to keep it clean. He's also on antibiotics 3x's a day. The open part is about 2 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. There really isn't any way (that I can see) that the vet would be able to re-stitch the area. There's just not enough to grab onto. I have Granulomex spray, but didn't have a lot of success when I tried it on a play nip wound several months ago. Should I try it on this wound? Any advice would be appreciated. I don't mind managing open wounds at home, and I've done it successfully before. This is right on the edge of what I'm comfortable with though. I just feel like I'm missing something. If I can't keep it covered we'll have to go back in and see what they can do. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambuca Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 No advice as to the wound care, but what about a pair of boxers with that leg sewn shut at the bottom or even just open? I know when my boy had a thing removed from his thigh that the boxers stayed on well and seemed comfortable to him. They aren't going to be as easy to put on him because he'll have to lift his back leg up, but you can probably get them most of the way on while he's lying down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sweetpea Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 My sister manages human wounds, so take this with a grain of salt. Your assessment that the vet won't be able to re-stitch is probably right on. What my sister would do with a human wound like what you're describing is "pack" the wound, loosely, with gauze, and then wrap around his whole body. It's hard for me to guess where his "landmarks" are in relation to the wound, so this might not even be feasible. (Landmarks being, his tail, his remaining leg, his manly bits) The dressing would absorb the weeping, and would protect the wound so it could heal from the inside out. Hopefully folks who've dealt with amputation will have workable solutions for you. Good luck, and smooches to Dood! Buzzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest d0ggiem0mma Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I've heard of a lot of people having luck using boxers or boxer briefs for rear amps. You can sew up the extra leg hole, then put them on backwards so his tail sticks out the fly. Personally, I would suggest not using neosporin on it at all. All of my vets have always told me not to use it on major wounds. It's fine on little abrasions, but surgical wounds are a different matter. If your vet gave you a rinse for the wound, just use that and keep it loosely covered with the boxers. Keeping it clean and using the systemic antibiotics is the best way to go IMO. Did your vet do a culture on the wound to see what antibiotics would be best? That would tell you for sure if it is infected and it would make sure the antibiotics are effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2dogs4cats Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 My grey has an open wound from a tumor surgery. There wasn't enough skin to stitch the area, so it remained open. I cleaned around the wound with saline and then smeared 15+ grade Manuka honey onto a piece of gauze big enough for the area and just stuck the gauze to the wound. The honey is sticky enough to keep it on even though the wound may be wet. Then I just covered the area with pajamas. You could get 4 legged jammies and then cut and close one leg to keep it loosely covered. The gauze will just fall off in a few hours but the honey stays on the area. The wound granulated in 2 days and honey is a natural antiseptic to help avoid infection. I put the honey on twice a day and it really speeds the healing! At first, the wound sort of gets very red and almost looks worse, but it's healing from the inside out. After a week, it should look like it's healing on the outside as well. Open wounds are scary, but they just take time. Sending healing thoughts for your pup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 I treated it with a rinse and then granulex, a loose bandaid, and a pair of dhs briefs. I'd like to be able to keep it open, but he lays down right on it. The antibiotic pills are just the same oness he got after surgery. It's not infected yet and I want to try and keep it that way! We'll see how it looks in the morning and hopefully we'll avoid the vet. Thanks everyone! Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IrskasMom Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I really have no Advice But Please give Dude Mega Hugs from me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 (edited) Chris, the best advice I can give is to use Manuka honey to heal the wound site. Here are a couple of links showing the effectiveness of Manuka honey in wound care. http://www.springerlink.com/content/rhhhy91wlb5fp365 http://www.honeymarkproducts.com/wound-care-with-manuka-honey-in-pediatric-hematology-oncology.aspx I've used it myself to heal a seriously infected wound on Nadir. I applied it to a sterile Telfa pad and used it to cover the wound. It not only highly effective at fighting infection, but provides a moist environment which helps promote healthy tissue granulation for minimal scarring. ETA one more link, although it is referred to here as Leptospernum Honey. http://www.dermasciences.com/products/advanced-wound-care/medihoney/inside-the-u-s Edited February 4, 2011 by 4My2Greys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Could you email your vet a picture? Some things that look otherwise are surprisingly stitchable/stapleable, and they heal faster that way. Most wounds do best by being left alone as far as possible. Our go-to procedure here for things that can't be stitched (and some things that are stitched) is big glob of SSD ointment on the bandage, plop on wound, repeat as needed, NO cleaning in between bandage changes. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mcsheltie Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 If it weeping and juicy, it is already infected. I would start him on the antibiotics ASAP. If it doesn't start to look better soon your vet will need to clean up the incision, otherwise it will not heal correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scouts_mom Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 No ideas, just sending hugs, scritches, and good thoughts to the Dude man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Heading back to the vet. Crap. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Heading back to the vet. Crap. Oh No! Chris, I'm keeping you, Dennis and Dude in my thoughts and prayers and sending lots of white light. Nadir remains suited up to send out healing beamz for his bestest buddy. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I'd second the use of strong grade Manuka Honey. Another natural fast-granulating treatment is the fresh green sap squeezed from the base of a cut Aloe Vera plant leaf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sheila Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I have an idea. What about the boxer shorts and then line the area inside the shorts with self adhesive panty liners or maxi pads? That way nothing is actually adhering to the actual dog that is going to fall off. This way you could have it some way open to air and change the dressing as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charla Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 (edited) You can get AquaCell Silver at a surgical supply store; it absorbs the goo, only needs to be changed every three days or so and has antibacterial silver embedded in it. Looks kind of like a piece of gray drier lint but it works! It's used on humans post amp all the time and should stay on if you cover it with a Kerlex fluff that you can change out as needed. Use normal saline to clean the wound, you don't want a wet wound, but you don't want to really dry it out either ... dry crusty won't heal, ever so slightly moist and pink is good. Edited February 4, 2011 by Charla Quote Charla, Mom to Carl ( Bella Monsoon ) 5/2002 - 9/2016 and remembering Gracie Rose ( Cee Bar Xtreme ) 2/2002 - 1/2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Checking back, hoping for a good update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest d0ggiem0mma Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 How's he doing? I see you went back to the vet... what did they say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 Thanks everyone for the great ideas! Dude had surgery yesterday (Friday) afternoon for major infection and debridement of his incision. The infection went very deep into the remains of his leg. He's now home and doing fine. He has a huge bandage at the site - we're doing wet-to-dry changes - at the vet - for the next week or so. {{{{{sigh}}}}}} Plus he's back on pain meds, nsaid, and two kinds of antibiotics. He's acting good and his face has a normal expression so we're doing good! Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HappyHarleysMom Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Aww, sorry to hear he had to go through more work on the wound, but hopefully cleaning it out like that will do the trick. Like Batmom mentioned regarding putting antibiotic cream or whatever on big wounds - my vet told me the same, which was something I hadn't known about. Even with Harley's open pad sore a few weeks ago when we were going through that ordeal, she told me the triple antibiotic stuff would just prohibit healing, to just keep it clean and let the air hit it. It was good to know for future reference. Sending you good thoughts and prayers that Dude's wound is on it's way to getting better now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Well, drat. Good you got him in and seen, tho, and sounds like he should resume mending now. Hugs and good days going forward. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 So glad you got where you needed to go, Chris, but sorry for all the trouble! Hugs to you both! Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreytHurleyDawg Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Poor Dude! At least the vet is on top of it and the infected part was removed right away. Hugs for you and Dude!!! Quote Bow Wow Wow Yippie Yo Yippie Yay Johanna with hounds: Woodie (Molly's Marvin) (Grenade X Kh Molly) and Petra (Make Her a Pet) (Dodgem By Design X Late Nite Oasis) and forever missing Hurley (Jel Try Out) (Gable Dodge X Kings Teresa) with Kalapaki Beach in Kauai as the background Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Glad to hear he is back home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.