So, today was 1 month since Romulus had his forequarter amputation, and week 2 since his first chemo dose. About 3 days ago, this area started looking more swollen and redundant, until last night it looked like this. Fortunately, Rom had an appointment for lab work at the vet’s office today, and the surgeon came over and drained what turned out to be an abscess. He has a drain, is back on antibiotics, and actually seems to be more energetic and eating better than he has since before the surgery. So I wonder if this has been slowly brewing… although the changes weren’t subtle or slow.
Anyone else deal with this kind of thing so far out from surgery? The surgeon seemed shocked, the oncologist not as much – as in, I’m giving him chemo, it can happen.
And as Rom is feeling great – that pressure had to hurt – I feel like I’ve aged 10 more years!
Back to the surgeon’s office Saturday, and hopefully this won’t stop us from getting our next chemo dose in 1 week…
hmm , thought it could have been a seroma but it is a little ways out from amputation. Not really sure. Is he using that area to push up off of? it looks like it is like a callous on the amputation site? I see the redness though. Glad they got it drained and antibiotics. Did they happen to culture the drainage to make sure it wasn’t a staph infection or anything?
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Yeah, I was wondering if they cultured it too. Did he have any fever?
Can’t say that I’ve seen something like this here after a month, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. Did the surgeon suggest a cause?
Regardless, soundss like the drain is helping. It’s good to hear that he seems to feel better now and is eating! 🙂
Keep us updated, okay? This journey always has lots of twists and turns during the first mo th plus.
BTW. HAPPY ONE MONTH AMPUVERSARY ROMULUS! 🙂
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Wooooah! I’m so glad I saw this. A brand new member is currently going through the same thing. If you get a chance, hop on over and let her know that things are gonna be OK:
http://tripawds.com/forums/ask-a-vet/5-wks-post-front-leg-amputee-wsevere-pain-and-fever/
Really really glad to know Rom is doing better!!