Abscess? ...and from what?

Not much advice other than healing vibes - I think Gina (rwbeagles) had to deal with something similar from one of the beagle girls?

Yep, I'm using Safari, thanks.

From what I know, the important thing with abcesses is that they drain towards the outside of the skin and keep draining. I assume the vet lanced it and drained it as much as possible . In the first two pics, you can kind of  see a greyish head at the bottom of the abcess pit. My guess would be this is the source of the pus.  In the next two it looks like the outside is already trying to close on the wound.

Unless you got directions to the contrary, I would try to keep the wound open a couple of days so that any new pus that would form has a chance to get out. Since you have antibiotics, there is way less risk of an out control infection starting. You might want to disinfect the wound with regular Bactine (the people stuff) a couple of times a day. 

You'll probably never know why the abcess formed : it can be an in-grown hair, a teeny tiny thorn, an ant bite, or plenty of other things.

Hope your doggie feels better soon.

Poor baby!  That looks terrible.

To me, it does look like a bite or sting of some kind.  I would keep it clean by flushing it out daily.  (A handheld shower head works great for flushing wounds.)  I'm not a big fan of using anything, topically, on abscesses unless you end up having to pack & bandage it.

Fingers crossed that it heals very quickly.

I tend to agree with Amanda -- I also think it looks like a bite or a sting (generally from the color and swelling around it among other things).  But since she's on Abx that's going to cover something like a brown spider bite (whcih *will* simply abscess and go nectrotic until you get antibiotics in the system).  That's exactly what you need for a brown bite -- Abx!!

Yeah -- I'd flush it -- but I'd probably cover it **lightly**.  What did the vet say? 

My concern is you don't want dirt getting in that -- not from laying ON it or kicking dirt up going outside.

Am I seeing that it's on the inside of the leg?  Any chance of a t-shirt or jammie bottoms just to put something light over it to protect it from dirt.  I wouldn't cover it tight unless yoU DO pack it with something like antibiotic ointment and then gauze.

Be faithful with the benedryl as many times a day (and as much) as they told you.  They may be sleepy but it helps the body deal with any histamine leftovers.

If I recall I think you use homeopathics?  I'd be using ledum and maybe something like homeopathic belladonna (it's a good infection fighter and will help the inflammation there) -- don't do the homeopathics longer than 3 days or so.  Arnica montana would be another really good choice -- again, good for trauma and infection.  But I'd pair the ledum with either the belladonna homeopathic or the arnica homeopathic.

That looks like a major owie -- glad you found it!

When I found the abscess (was just beginning to form), it had a puncture hole next to it that blood was dripping out of. There were blood drips all over the place and because of her long coat, it took me a while to figure out where it was all coming from. Wasn't sure which one of my dogs was injured. I started with warm compresses and as soon as it started to look like something out of a horror movie, I took her to the hospital.

It looks much better this morning...going to post an updated photo in my profile.

The Vet said to keep it open and to flush it with water if necessary. However, I agree with you. I bandaged it over night, instead of using a t-shirt. Since it looks much less oozy and inflamed this morning, I may use a t-shirt tonight. The abscess is on her abdominal/rib cage area. I am able to rearrange my schedule to watch her all day for the next few days, so I can manage her with our other two dogs and outside to keep dirt & grime out, etc.

I don't have any belladonna or ledum, but I was thinking of using rescue remedy in her water...or just putting in her mouth.

TAOofGoldyShep

I don't have any belladonna or ledum, but I was thinking of using rescue remedy in her water...or just putting in her mouth.

That might keep her calm but it's not going to do anything specifically for the bite/abscess.  ledum is for stings or punctures/needle sticks.  Belladonna (the homeopathic - both of those are homeopathics) absolutely rocks for "red skin" and infection/pain.  But arnica montana is also danged good for infection.  Among those "first aid kid homeopathics" I keep around.

Update: The wound continues to heal and very well, thankfully. Less and less inflammation and redness. Very little oozing, if at all. Amazingly, she is leaving it alone.

Again, many thanks to you all for the healing thoughts sent our way...as well as the very helpful advice. Although I'm not able to participate on the forum as much as I'd like to, I am so appreciative of the members here coming to our aid.

TAOofGoldyShep

Thanks, Callie. I have much less formal and working knowledge of homeopathy than I do with flower essences, herbs and essential oils. The only homeopathic remedy that I regularly keep on hand is arnica montana tablets. Looks like a fine time to construct a homeopathic first aid kit though!

*smile* this is how we all learn from each other -- flower essences are never my first line of defence.  I've simply had more good luck with homeopathy *and* essential oils. 

I would use some tea tree and maybe lavender in the warm compresses you use on the spot -- good to treat any nasty stuff that may be lurking. 

If you want when you get time to take a deep breath -- give me a call and we'll talk about homeopathy a bit -- there are some simple do's and don'ts to it that can help.  But it is FAST medicine typically -- and in an emergency it can really help.

I'm glad this is turning out well for you!!

calliecritturs

*smile* this is how we all learn from each other --

Thanks for the note, Callie...I'll be in touch soon.

UPDATE: uploaded a photo from Monday afternoon. There is still a very definitive round hole that scabs, then comes off and re-scabs. A bit of white material still hanging around (looks like pus but not oozing). I will probably do a warm lavender compress today.