Tumor Removal

[chibblesnbits]

Hey, I'm just going to cut to the chase because honestly I'm tired and depressed. My female of 2 years (Chibbles) had a mammary tumor removed last Wednesday and the recovery is less than smooth. She is chewing at her inner stitches (the kind that are supposed to dissolve) and ate right through the skin glue. I took her back to the vet because it was looking infected and she gave me an elizabethian collar to put on her but now she is depressed and wont eat. I'm about to lose it. I'm so frustrated and upset I don't know what to do. I've been taking the collar off when I can watch her but that isn't as often as I'd like. Can someone help me?

 

[Aida]

Oh jeez. That sucks, she got the cone of shame, huh?
Maybe try giving her tons of yummy treats so she eats? ):

 

[SQ]

Is Chibbles on pain meds?
Chibbles may have been chewing on the incision because it is bothering her.

I would make sure Chibbles is getting enough pain meds and get rid of the collar.
Watch her to make sure she is ok and not bothering the incision.

What antibiotics is Chibbles on for the infection?

Try feeding Chibbles baby cereal mixed up with soy infant formula or ensure. This will help keep her hydrated and give her good nutrition.
You might also try special foods she likes such as peas, a piece of boiled egg, a piece of ripe banana, etc.

Make sure Chibbles is well hydrated, warm and comfortable.
Hopefully she is in with her friends ... if not, Chibbles needs to be with them as being seperated is stressful and may depress her.

I hope Chibbles is soon feeling better

 

[lilspaz68]

I second the question, is chibbles on pain meds?

 

[jorats]

It does sound like the sweet girl is picking at her stitches because she's in pain. Go back to your vet and ask for metacam unless she's already on it. Or perhaps the dosing is too low.

 

[chibblesnbits]

She is on pain meds and antibiotics. also an anxiety medication. the antibiotic is doxycycline and was given to her after the anesthesia irritated her and brought back heavy wheezing. she is no longer wheezing thank goodness. the pain killer is a thick substance administered onto the ear with a Q-tip. she is not with her cage mate Bonnie because my vet didn't think it would be a good idea. i myself am uneasy as Bonnie often liked to lick around Chibbles' bottom (ew) even before surgery and the two have been known to aggressively groom each other. I let them out together for their nightly romp but i kno Chibbles misses her old cage. im just afraid of what may happen if i put her back right now. i cant afford any more trips and need to save up for Bonnie's tumor removal :thud:

 

[Fidget]

Give bonnie a small towel or piece of fabric to sleep on and then put it in Chibbles cage when you are not home? Get a bottle of wine for you to relax, and give Chibbles the cork to chew on when you have to leave her alone. Research the site for something rats don't like the taste of and wipe it around her stitches before you leave for work. Can you put their cages right up against each other so they can interact and tire each other out?
I sure feel for you...

 

[chibblesnbits]

thanks for the suggestions. Sadly, I cannot get the collar back on so I just have to hope giving more medication will keep her from the wounded site. If she gets an infection or worse I will feel so guilty.

 

[Joanne]

the pain killer is a thick substance administered onto the ear with a Q-tip.

??? What is the name of it?

Would you be able to take a picture of the surgical incision? There are many very experienced people here who may be able to give you a good idea of just how bad it is. It may not be as bad as you think.

 

[chibblesnbits]

it is called tramadol and i will get a picture up as soon as possible. also, she has apparently accumulated a bunch of blood behind her incision. at least that is what the vet said. it looks like her tumor is back and it is squishy and pretty good sized. she said it will be reabsorbed but it is pretty gross.

 

[lilspaz68]

it is called tramadol and i will get a picture up as soon as possible. also, she has apparently accumulated a bunch of blood behind her incision. at least that is what the vet said. it looks like her tumor is back and it is squishy and pretty good sized. she said it will be reabsorbed but it is pretty gross.

That's okay, its not the tumour returning, its most likely a seroma (body fluids that accumulate in the pocket created by the surgery), these usually do resolved and reabsorb with no issues.

I have always given tramadol orally, and I have never found it very effective as a pain med on its own.

Can you get a hold of infant ibuprofen liquid? its OTC and helps with pain and swelling as well.

If the incision is open, does it just go down to the muscle layer or into the abdomen? If it only goes to the muscle layer, you can just leave it to heal. A pic would really help if you can get one.

 

[chibblesnbits]

WARNING not for the queasy:

 

[hopefloats]

that looks almost infected. If it isnt it is on it way. does it smell?

 

[lilspaz68]

where was the tumour? right near her urethra? Is she able to urinate properly? That does not look good

 

[SQ]

I would suggest she be put on either clorpalm or else baytril + clavamox asap.
Also change her pain med to either infant ibuprofen liquid as suggested by lilspaz68 or else metacam. She has been chewing at it because she is in a lot of pain.

And a check up by a knowlegable vet asap!
Since this is a complication after surgery, if you take her back to the same vet, the cost should be lower then usual.

Is she able to pee?
Poor baby girl :sad3:

 

[chibblesnbits]

she pees just fine but it does smell. the vet checked it for pus and said it is not infected but im getting pretty freaking sick of this vet. she is the only exotic vet around though. I keep taking her back and she just gave me a stupid collar. I don't know what to do and I can't get the collar back on. doxy isn't a good antibiotic? and i have some baytril left over from a previous respiratory infection should i just give her that?

 

[hopefloats]

That brown is it poo? where was this tumor at?

Doxy is not good for infection in the skin, baytril would be better, or even clavomox if her incision smells it is infected. They should not smell and should be clean.

that is a healthy incision, they do not change much from that. The one you showed has something brewing in it.

 

[chibblesnbits]

is an infection easily taken care of? like can i leave the collar off and just give her antibiotics? what is the best way to go about this. What would you guys do? because i will put her to sleep before she dies of an infection.

 

[victoria]

I would ask the vet for Metacam (an NSAID for pain and inflammation) and an antibiotic (or combination) that works better on abscesses - my own vet would use Septra/Bactrim or Metronidazole and Baytril. Don't use the Baytril you have from before unless you know for sure it's good, it's likely expired. You can also flush the incision site with saline (either buy it or make a 1% saline solution) to help kill bacteria and not hinder healing. If you get Metacam and the antibiotics, you likely will not need the collar again since the incision will not bug her.

 

[jorats]

Infection from a tumour removal is very easy to treat. She's come through the worst part of her healing...give her a chance to beat the infection. Baytril and metacam will take care of it.