Luna’s thoracotomy wound had opened up and was showing signs of infection when I checked it today. Back off to vet after ending photos for review- but that was clearly going to be the case upon seeing it. Luna knows the scent of the place now and is not keen to go in but.....
Wound was debrided and washed out as I held her standing up – she took it well and tolerated the intervention.
Back on antibiotics with the first pushed down her reluctant throat tonight.
Manuka honey dressing on the wound and then multiple layers of dressing winding to make a jacket.
When we left I thought she was just feeling a little too sore to jump into the car (lifted her) but later realised the bandaging was just too tight. Needs to be firm to hold the compress in place but was actually restricting her walking and became obviously stressful to her over the next two hours.
Hope I got the balance right of reducing restriction whilst remaining firm/immobile enough to maintain compress position.
Review on Wednesday and will probably continue with ‘open wound management’ as could not be closed anyway until signs of infection gone.
If start to see any seepage then I will fully expose the wound but otherwise leave all in place ‘as is’ until then.
Added cost but mostly feeling sorry that her healing will be delayed and restrictions in place for much longer.
Asked the vet if my use of a coat had added to the problem but she thought not. Told me that the crushing action (combined with shaking) of a dog bite means that the skin often looks OK at the time of suturing but can become necrotic later. She still has one more area of blackened skin (around the bite that went through her back into rib-cage) but it shows no sign of lifting yet = ‘fingers crossed’ for that one to have better healing underneath.
She seemed lethargic after I loosened her windings and refused fed then slept.
After a sleep she was much brighter and ate her food (+ the a.b.).
Soldier on little girl.
