Guest kellygreyhound Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Hi, I'm posting this here instead of just the osteo thread in hopes it'll find more responses from folks who've been through this. Kelly had a rear leg amputation last Monday, came home Thursday & wasdoing well. At her Sunday checkup, the vet suspected she had an incisional infection & was given a new antibiotic. Things went downhill from there & Wednesday we were back at the hospital with a listless, feverish grey After three surgeries to remove dead tissue, the vets now feel the necrosis is secondary. They've seenthis before in another dog post-amp--the tissue surrounding the hip just died off after & fortunately in that case stopped at the leg. Has anyone seen this before? Any advice or experiences would be helpful. Three surgeries and an unknown number in sight have me beginning to question my choices here & whether I'm causing Kelly undue extreme pain. *sigh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 What makes them think this is vasculitis rather than a resistant infection? Have cultures been done? This definitely doesn't sound like a typical complication, and I'd suggest submitting an OSU consult. Is Kelly being treated at your regular vet's office, or at a specialty center? If it's been your regular vet so far, I'd consider asking for a referral to a board certified surgeon. Sending good thoughts to both you and Kelly. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamngrey Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 No advice/help here but sending prayers Quote Cassie: Pikes Clara Bell Swoop: My Man Swoop BRIDGE ANGELS Psi:WD'S Aleford 3/17/00-4/25/10 Snowman: Gable Snowman 1/9/96-2/14/08 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 (edited) Thinking on the lines of a resistant infection I would think about dressing the wound with this http://medigroup.com.au/actilite Edited to fix link Edited March 3, 2012 by 4My2Greys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greysadv Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Vanessa had not one, not two, but 3 different antibiotic-resistant infections post amp. We'd get rid of one just to have another develop. In the end we did a debridement surgery and with a good selection of antibiotic by our vets (we ended up using amikacin, our last resort) and we were able to get the infections cleared. I heard from Dr. Couto at OSU that he's had greyhounds where he has needed to perform several debridement surgeries to control infection. Your vet is doing cultures/sensitivities on the infection to ensure proper antibiotic use, right? The bacteria causing the problem could be changing as in Vanessa's case. Perhaps your vet could contact Dr. Couto for a recommendation. Thinking of you both. I remember feeling the same way you do. Cindy P.S. Vanessa beat OS for 27 1/2 months before succumbing to kidney failure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwiggysMom Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Twiggy's post-amp infection was pseudomonas and was quite advanced because the bandage was supposed to remain on for 5 days post-release. It was treated without antibiotics using a VacTherapy bandage. It required her to be hospitalized for 5 days. They did a small surgery to remove as much dead tissue as possible, then inserted the bandage. There was at least one, maybe two (not remembering anymore) bandage changes and then they stitched her up after removing the VacTherapy. With post-release antibiotics to prevent additional infections, Twiggy healed up beautifully. I think the VacTherapy is a somewhat novel way to treat post-amp infection, but I am very pleased with how everything turned out. This was done at a specialty/emergency clinic with a board-certified surgeon. I hope Kelly gets back on track quickly and this infection is cleared. I'm sending my best wishes for you - I know just how awful you feel right now. Quote Wendy with Twiggy, fosterless while Twiggy's fighting the good fight, and Donnie & Aiden the kitties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyB Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 My Albi (borzoi/saluki) had the same thing happen and they did a culture of the infection and he had MRSA. Have they done a culture on her? Quote Nancy with Rocket, Umeko and Sasha Missing Albi, Kassie, Ramm, Ruby, my good boy Marvin and Mickey (BT) NANCY B'S COLLARS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kellygreyhound Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thanks everyone for the responses--very helpful! Yes, Kelly had a culture done--and was switched to the very expensive Zeniquin as a result. But at this point the infection is controlled according to her vets, the necrosis is a secondary issue to the infection (not caused by the infection). When I went to visit her today it was tough. The tech brought her out for a potty break & allowed me to take her outside on the break--she was walking but wobbly (which the anesthesia may account for). Outside and in the waiting room, Kelly looked awfully frightened, not at all like her normal self (Kelly is scared of nothing and no one!) and she's so skinny from all this. Then once we got her back into her crate and settled, she calmed down a bit and was happy to have lovins and snugglies, and even ate. But I can see in her eyes that this is hard and is taking a toll on her. Day by day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I'm so sorry she's having such a hard time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwiggysMom Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 This is the toughest part right now. She's back in the hospital, where no matter how good the care is, she doesn't want to be there. Once she is back home for good, you will see great things start to happen. As you know, the most important thing right now is to just get that infection wiped out. Then she will be back on the right path. Quote Wendy with Twiggy, fosterless while Twiggy's fighting the good fight, and Donnie & Aiden the kitties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamngrey Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Hugs to you & your babe Quote Cassie: Pikes Clara Bell Swoop: My Man Swoop BRIDGE ANGELS Psi:WD'S Aleford 3/17/00-4/25/10 Snowman: Gable Snowman 1/9/96-2/14/08 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Thinking of you and your girl, hoping you get the help you need and she gets to come home soon. 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...
MaryJane Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Just wanted to mention that sometimes the pain-killers that are used could possibly bring on hallucinations and if so, it would frighten dogs which is why you may have been seeing a "different" look in her eye. The reason that I mention this is even though my dog adjusted well after the amputation, once he got off the painkillers he did much better and behaved more like himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Hoping your pupper has improved and sending hugs for both of you. 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 sirsmom Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 we used betadine and water compresses on a non grey who developed a large necrosis after crucuiate ligament surgery. It worked well, but I would consult with vet first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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