Munchie Back In Surgery This Afternoon...toe Amp Re-Do

[Guest LittleGreys]

Munchie had her toe amputated a few weeks ago, and all has healed well except a small spot that I was hopeful would heal eventually. Well, today it is getting bigger, still always wet and she seemed to not feel well. Took her to see another vet in the practice, she said the toe was amputated at the joint, instead of above or below, so it is now leaking joint fluid, and will never heal. So, back to surgery, she will have to amputate higher up. Not sure why she is not feeling well, except her foot seems to be getting more painful, so possible infection. I am so sad for her, Munchie has been through so much, and I hate to see her endure another surgery. I can't be with her today, either, so my friends will keep an extra close eye on her.

[mychip1]

Many prayers for a successful surgery and healing!

[RaineysMom]

sending many prayers!!! :hope poor munchkin

[carronstar]

Owee! Sending good thoughts for a good fix for Munchie.

[greytpups]

How awful...you'd think they'd know how to do it right the first time...poor Munchiw. Sending lots of warm healing thoughts.

[racindog]

Poor baby! To think she's got to go through all that because it wasn't done properly in the first place. I would be infuriated.

[sweetdogs]

How awful...you'd think they'd know how to do it right the first time...poor Munchiw. Sending lots of warm healing thoughts.

That's my thought too although after Lindsay's recent experience, it must be more difficult than it seems to get it right the first time.

 

Very best wishes for speedy & complete healing for Munchie.

[DesiRayMom]

Hugs & healing thoughts for Munchie........any news?

[PrairieProf]

How awful! Are you using the same vet for the second surgery? I know my vet said it was a very simple surgery when he did Beth's and I never heard of such a think as joint fluid leaking. Best wishes for swift healing for Munchie!

Edited July 16, 2012 by PrairieProf

[snowjay]

Good thoughts for the Munchkin!

[Guest LittleGreys]

They called and said she is doing very well. Sounds like a small incision, so that's good. It is a different vet, same practice, for those who asked that. If she is comfortable, I will leave her all night so she can just sleep. She's used to being there, so she should be fine and I will see her in the morning. Thanks for all the well wishes, I hope this is the last time I have to ask for any. Munchie deserves a break!

[GreyPoopon]

Poor Munchie. I hope she's home and healing soon.

[Guest gfcolvin]

Thinking about you and Munchie and will be interested to hear update. Sorry that this happened for her and would like to know more about what they tell you re: the original surgery and why it wasn't taken off higher with the first surgery...any explanation of the logistics of the surgery site the first time around versus second? etc. Sending healing thoughts...

 

--Gaye

[Remolacha]

Good to know she is done and it went well!

[JJNg]

Just wanted to mention that it is quite common and acceptable to do toe amputations at the joint, and there is usually not a problem with leaking joint fluid or healing. I would suspect that in Munchie's case, the healing issue may have been complicated by her being on prednisone, and/or possibly an infection.

 

For those wondering about the difference in surgical technique, this diagram that I put together a while back may be helpful. The photo is of my boy Wiki's left front foot, where he's had the inside toe amputated. The x-ray is actually from my girl Willow after she had a screw placed to repair a toe fracture, but since it's the same foot, it was convenient to use for the diagram.

 

I had Wiki's amputation done by our local surgeon, and they removed it above the joint (at the red line on the x-ray), which results in a smoother appearance to the foot, without the bump of the knuckle. An complete toe amputation at the joint, which is how most general practitioners do it, would be done at the level of the MCP joint.

 

[Guest LindsaySF]

Poor Munchie. I hope she heals soon.

[pabozem]

Jennifer, thanks for the picture and x-ray! i have a girl who had a toe amputated before she came to me, and this helps clarify where her amp was done.

[Guest gfcolvin]

JJNg: really appreciate the picture, x-ray, and explanation of the amputation points. My Mandy is a slow healer from her toe-amp on 6-21-12 but doing better, altho' incision still not fully closed. Because of the journey with her, I'm interested in others' experiences with this and others' knowledge and guidance. Thanks again. Thoughts go out to Munch and to Rogan and others who are getting ready to have (or who have recently gone through) toe amp experiences. -Gaye

[Guest patterpaws]

Many healing thoughts for Munchie!

[tbhounds]

How's the Munchster today??? Poor little girl-been through soooo much already.

[Guest kirstenbergren]

I hope Munchie is doing well and healing up great.

[lovinggreysslp]

Hoping Munchie is healing well.

 

[Guest LittleGreys]

Munchie is doing OK today, but I am not liking the looks of her foot. I took the wrap off around noon today to check it and it is much more red and swollen than I expected. As the afternoon progressed, so did the pitting edema up her leg. I emailed some pics to her vet, who also agreed that it is not looking as we hoped it would. We may have to do IV antibiotics tomorrow. With Munchie being on pred and azathioprine, she just can't fight off the "bugs" and heal like a normal dog would. I knew there was a possibility this could happen, but had hoped we could beat the odds and she would do OK. I was beating myelf up over that, but I can't go back and undo it, so just have to love her up and pray it looks better tomorrow.

Here are a couple of the pics from noon today....

 

 

[Remolacha]

poor baby

[Guest patterpaws]

eep, poor girl! I hope it looks better soon. Poor Munchie!