Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery

• 09-19-2008 9:30 PM

  nadinetreadway Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 183 Points 0

  Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery Reply Contact Our dog Phoebe (she's a 10 year old beagle lady) had surgery yesterday. The vet removed 2 mammary gland tumors and 2 nipples. She's acting fine but in the last couple of hours these bright red spots have appeared around the incision. Not directly on the incision or by the stitches but around the wound. They were smaller at first. I called the vet and he said that it was normal for the area to develop some bruising and not to worry. It's getting bigger though. Is this just normal bruising? Anybody have any experience with this? I'll try to post a few pictures, they're loading on my computer as I type this. I'd appreciate any help. I think that I'll definitely head back to the vet as soon as they open 11.5 hours from now, but do I need to see the emergency vet? Nadine & Phoebe

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• 09-19-2008 9:44 PM

  In reply to nadinetreadway

  nadinetreadway Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 183 Points 0

  Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery Reply Contact Ok, here are the pics. First, yesterday, the day of the surgery http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii41/nadinetreadway/PhoebeSurgery.jpg Today at 5 o'clock, I called the vet immediately after this http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii41/nadinetreadway/PhoebeSurgeryatFive.jpg This is the picture I took about a half hour ago http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii41/nadinetreadway/PhoebeSurgeryatEight.jpg   Like I said, she acts fine. She's on antibiotics and pain medication. She was very sore yesterday but acts like her happy little self again (since this afternoon). I am really worried, DH is trying to convince me that it's nothing but to me it doesn't look that way! Thanks. Nadine

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• 09-19-2008 10:01 PM

  In reply to nadinetreadway

  Calinisima Joined on 12-05-2007 AB-Canada Posts 1,522 Points 360	Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery Reply Contact I wish I could help you, maybe you can send an e-mail to the vet with the pics?? I hope is nothing wrong, I'm sending my healing vibes to Phoebe. I ♥ SWAPS
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• 09-19-2008 10:54 PM

  In reply to Calinisima

  grab01 Joined on 09-10-2007 middle of the desert Posts 917 Points 0	Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery Reply Contact From the mammary gland tumor surgeries I've seen, that area does seem to bruise a lot.  That said, if it continues, I'd have her seen, just to be safe. That she's acting like her normal self is a good sign
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• 09-19-2008 11:52 PM

  In reply to nadinetreadway

  cakana Joined on 09-10-2007 Cathy in Northern CA Posts 7,006 Points 360	Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery Reply Contact I know you're worried and I know what that's like, but honestly, the pics look fine to me. The cutting and all that she went thru such a short time ago are certainly going to cause some bruising, but I don't see anything to be worried about. I hope she continues to heal nicely. ~ Cathy ~
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• 09-20-2008 12:24 AM

  In reply to cakana

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 15,352 Points 2,035

  Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery Reply Contact don't they use some sort of instruments to also hold back skin and such during ops? In Susie's sections they had metal clampy things on either side kinda "holding her open"...I dunno it almost looks like since it's all along the sides...that could be it? Hope all is well tho and so sorry she needed to get surgery. Glad she is doing well as far as eating a happy etc. Gina H. dog.community Moderator "I'll sleep when I'm dead, I said!"-The Cure

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• 09-20-2008 7:53 AM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 1,119 Points 0

  Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery Reply Contact Bruising is definitively to be expected.  Ari just had abdominal surgery and they told us if we saw bruising not to panic that it was normal.  I am not a professional but I wouldn't worry too much if she seems to be acting fine and eating well.  If your worried, call up the vet.  I would imagine they would be more than happy to talk over the phone or have you bring her in so they can take a look.   ~Sharon Proudly owned by Ari a 5 month old flat-coated retriever!

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• 09-20-2008 10:58 AM

  In reply to the_gopher

  nadinetreadway Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 183 Points 0

  Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery - update Reply Contact Good news. I took her to the vet this morning. He said that it looks the way it should, it might even get worse than this. Ouch! This morning it was "leaking" a little bit of clear fluid as well, he said that's normal also. I feel better now that she's been checked on. I've never had a female dog before so any kind of surgery like this is new to me. I really hope that she won't have to go through anything like this again. They sent both tumors to the lab and hopefully we'll have results early next week. Cross your fingers for good news!!! She's such an awesome dog and we're very lucky to have her. When people think twice about having their dog spayed they should look at her. She's 10 years old now and has to deal with this surgery and tumors that could've been prevented almost 100% had she gotten spayed when she was young. Here's a picture of my old baby girl Phoebe (on the left) and her younger "brother" Joey. http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii41/nadinetreadway/pict0010.jpg Thanks for all of your answers, you really made me feel better! Nadine

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• 09-20-2008 11:55 AM

  In reply to nadinetreadway

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 1,119 Points 0	Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery - update Reply Contact  Nadine glad your vet alleived your worries!  My fingers are definitively crossed that you'll get good news.  I hope Phoebe feels better soon. Also that picture with her and Joey is too darn cute.  They both look like sweethearts! ~Sharon Proudly owned by Ari a 5 month old flat-coated retriever!
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• 09-20-2008 11:56 AM

  In reply to nadinetreadway

  Calinisima Joined on 12-05-2007 AB-Canada Posts 1,522 Points 360	Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery - update Reply Contact So good to know she is doing better!! Fingers and paws crossed here for good results. I ♥ SWAPS
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• 09-20-2008 11:58 AM

  In reply to nadinetreadway

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 7,642 Points 2,075

  Re: Urgent question about "bruising" after surgery - update Reply Contact nadinetreadway: When people think twice about having their dog spayed they should look at her. She's 10 years old now and has to deal with this surgery and tumors that could've been prevented almost 100% had she gotten spayed when she was young. I'm SO glad you've said this -- I've seen so many people who are so reluctant to allow a female to be spayed and they just don't think about what could happen later on.  My ex wouldn't allow me to neuter one of our dogs (Foxy the Mostlie Sheltie R.I.P.) and I couldn't neuter him until the ex was gone.  But in that time he developed a perianal hernia which was a HUGE surgery and wouldn't have needed to be done at all had he been neutered young.  *sigh*

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