Post Op complications

[fudgesmammy]

Fudge had an operation (spey) three weeks ago. Since the op she has had complication after complication. First the glue on the outer wound didn't stick so she basicly split open again. Then she was allergic to the adhesive dressing and now, just when we thought she was healed, she's split the wound again, it's bleeding and I can see green thread (stiches?) plus there is a big reddy purple sore under the skin at the bottom of the wound. It's sunday, the vet next door is out, I've stuck a dressing on and micropore all round her. What can I do? Does she need the emergency vet or can she wait until the morning???                    

[*Jay*]

If the wound is bleeding, I would call the vet as they may need to staple or stitch the wound again. Poor Fudge                    

[KellyP]

Hmmm - personally I would definately call my vet - but I do worry terribly about the slightest thing anyway.  
At any rate you could call your usual vet and speak to him/her see what they say. They may say that tomorrow morning will be fine, however it does sound like Fudge may have a slight infection if there is a sore on the wound  

I would say that you have probably done quite well to bandage her up   Keep her calm - no bouncing around   and don't give her any food just in case the vet wants to / needs to knock her out to investigate / re-stitch.

Let us know how she gets on                      

[fudgesmammy]

Well, after much deliberation and curtain twitching (to see if the vet next door was home!) we went to the on duty vet at a local village practice. She was very good with Fudge, had a good look and decided to pull out the visible green thread stitches (much yelping!!) and staple Fudge back together. She said that there was a bit of tissue fluid inside the wound which probably meant fudge had reacted to the stitches. She gave an antibiotic (we only finishe the last lot on tuesday!!) and told me to take Fudge to our usual vet tomorrow for a check over. Fudge is now in her crate in the kitchen looking decidedly unhappy- it was her  1st birthday today!                    

[*Jay*]

Glad to hear she's been sorted out but its not the best way to spend her 1st birthday Double helping of chicken tonight I think                    

[Mary]

Awwww....poor Fudge, hope she'll be feeling better soon                    

[KellyP]

i'm sure that double helping of chicken prescribed by Gill will soon have Fudge feeling better!!  

Hope she's feeling better soon                      

[Anonymous]

Hope all is well with Fudge!!

How worrying though.                    

[fudgesmammy]

Thanks everyone!!
Fudge is ok now- the vet said she'll just have to keep the cone on and stay still for another few weeks- she's going to burst open and there's nothing we can do! Needless to say she wont be having any operations ever again unless they're totally necessary.
Are these allergies a common thing in cockers??                    

[LindaW]

Just wanted to say poor Fudge and hope she is feeling a lot better.  There have been several cockers lately who have been allergic to the stitches so she is not on her own!                    

[PennyB]

This sort of allergy isn't common in any dog (its not just a cocker thing). My vet hasn't seen it in 7 years.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but this can keep recurring until all the internal stitches have dissolved (a friend's cocker had to be reoperated on and resewn with different sutures and even then she had a couple of more problems). Make sure your regular vet knows this as if she ever needs stitches again the same can happen.                    

[fudgesmammy]

Thanks for that Penny. The regular vet said he wouldn't re-open her because he couldn't be sure she wouldn't react the same way to a different kind of stitches. Fudge has been cooped up for nearly a month now and is getting very very destructive, destroying wantonly- boxes, tissues, letters, newspaper even my new work diary from my new job!!!  
I'm reluctant to walk her because she wont stay out of water (even on the lead!) and I don't want to get that wound infected. Any ideas on how to challenge her very bored little brain???                    

[PennyB]

Its interesting how different vets deal with different circumstances. I think this sort of problem eventually sorts itself out anyway, but its worth suggesting they put a note on file for future reference anyway.

Have you tried walking her in a different area. I take mine all over the place just to give them variety sometimes (new smells can make a lot of difference to a cocker even if they have to be lead walked).                    

[fudgesmammy]

I think she's settling now. Maybe she was expressing her displeasure at the whole situation!!!!