Question:
Last month my, puppy injured his hind leg - I have no idea how it happened. When it first happened it was clearly an abscess but he also wouldn't put any weight on it and limped around for a few days. We've been back and forth to the vet's for his leg throughout the month, although it doesn't bother him anymore. The swelling is gone but there is a small, hard section that remains (it doesn't cause him any pain).
Last night the vet took a sample and said there is still infection and he should go back on the clavamox (antibiotic) for 3 weeks (he had previously been on it for 10 days). She hopes that this will finally clear it up but if it doesn't then surgery is the only option.

Has anyone had to deal with something like this before? Is surgery really necessary if it doesn't bother him? I only ask because the vet has been ambiguous about surgery, making me feel like it's just a money-making ploy?

I will of course do whatever is best for Dodger but I'm loking for opinions. If this second round of antibiotics doesn't clear up his leg I will get a second-opinion before going ahead with surgery.

Also, I'm worried about the possible negative effects of being on some many meds...Dodger also seems to be an "allergy dog" the only time he's not reacting to something is during the winter. The most recent: his eye tissue was reacting/infected (by who know's what) and he was on some kind of steroid ointment for a couple of weeks. We always joke that this is why he was abandoned!!!
It's just one thing after another with Dodger ...but ya still gotta love him!!!!

Thanks!

Answer:
It may not be the same type of thing, but when I was a little kid, I also had a HECK of an abcess on my leg, from injuring it on rusty metal. I couldn't walk or put weight on the leg. It eventually got bad enough that even hopping on one leg caused jolts to go through the other leg, basically leaving me immobile.

A Dr's visit, where he lanced the wound and gave me a dose of antibiotics, cleared things up nicely. Now, all I have is a scar on my shin.

Has the vet tried to lance and clean the wound? Antibiotics will only do so much good if there's too much infection. Until the wound is cleaned I wouldn't think he's going to get much better very quickly. I'm assuming you have a good vet and trust him. Ask him about lancing (if it can be done) and cleaning the wound before putting him on more drugs.

I hope this helps!!

Answer:
Trinitie I agree with your suggestion.

When I worked at the vet's office a while back we had a dog come in with a pretty large abcess on the back of his neck. The vet lanced it, drained it and then flushed it out to make sure that it was all nice and clean before he dispensed medication.

It worked for this little guy.

Answer:
I don't think it's necessarily a money grab. Would you live with a hard lump in you?

Answer:
Thank-you both for replying. I forgot to mention that the she believes there could be a "foreign body" in his leg. So it is not just a matter of getting rid of whatever pus is left. Does that mean lancing cannot be done?
The vet cleaned and shaved the wound the first time I brought Dodger in but has never mentioned lancing. She never drained it, just took a sample to look at under the microsope. Is this something that should have been done in the beginning?

I hope that she didn't just choose meds to make money and has now missed a step that might have been better than putting Dodger on pills!

I have had a terrible time finding a vet that I trust. This is the second vet and I plan on switching. It has been virtually impossible to switch vets because Dodger has been in the middle of some sort of treatment. Once this is over with I do plan on switching vets.

Prin - Of course I don't want Dodger to live with a lump on his leg but I also don't want to go around pumping him with meds - especially since nothing has been resolved, neither his leg, eye or other allergic reactions.

Melissa

Answer:
Really, I agree with Prin and don't think this is a money grab. Vets do things differently than "people" doctors. I didn't tell you that my family Dr was the last Dr I had an appointment with. Before that I tried the hospital (it was that bad) and was sent on my way. They wouldn't even give me crutches!

Many times a smaller foreign object can work it's way out of the skin, or become absorbed. So the fact the vet didn't flush the wound, while it's something some vets would have done, some vets would wait and see what happens.

I would think an x-ray is in order though, to see what's happening under the skin.

It sounds like you don't trust your vet that much. You may want to look at getting another vet. You must trust your vet, or neither will your animals!

Answer:
I always say, if you ever doubt your vet, you need a new one. Do you have enough money to get a second opinion?

Answer:
I would also worry about the dog getting lots of antibiotics - I don't know what kind your dog has been on, but during my research into canine kidney failure, I found lots of references to certain kinds of antibiotics causing long term kidney problems. I know that infections require antibiotics but I always worry about them now.

Answer:
Thanks again! I hope that he heals up with the antibiotic this time so I don't have to worry about him anymore.

I hope that my vet is being as thorough as possible because I just want Dodger to get better!

I have enough money for a second opinion, it's the surgery compiled with Dodgers allergies that is more worrisome. Of course I would do everything possible to get Dodger all better but it has already been a lot of money for 10.5 month old dog. Now I know why people should always reasearch, research, research before committing to a dog.

No worries though, Dodger is part of my life forever so I will do what is best for him no matter what the cost.

Thanks,

Melissa

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