Peeps with medical knowledge, question, please!

[BlueBird]

So, my 17 year old pup has had a rough week. Without going into all the sad details...can someone please answer a question for me? I've googled, but to no avail.

On Tuesday, my little guy needed under the skin re-hydration injections which left the requisite lumpy water-filled sacs around his neck. Wednesday, the water lumps started to dissipate but I noticed an *inflammation* under his right armpit and around the upper part of his elbow area (A spot roughly 3 inches form the injection sites). The vet couldn't see him until today and I was told it was an abscess and she prescribed an antibiotic (which had already been prescribed by the partner vet on Tuesday)...they had not consulted each other on his treatment. So, my question is, is it possible that the under the skin water injections were too aggressive and may have caused this abscess (she did tell me that the water could certainly migrate), or could the abscess be just another side effect of his compromised immune system?

Oh, and please answer in layperson's terminology as I am drunk at the moment. Thank you, though you bastards are probably all on Joker's thread.

 

[redshirt27se]

I have no idea, but sorry to hear about your dog.

 

[binö]

bathtub test users always offer the best med advice!!!@##@

 

[BlueBird]

Thanks RedShirt!

bathtub test users always offer the best med advice!!!@##@

Ya, I know, but there are some medical peeps on here who might have an opinion. I'm going with 'yep, the injections could have caused an abscess".

 

[nangiggles]

wish i could help but neck to arm pit sounds like a different issue....

 

[BlueBird]

wish i could help but neck to arm pit sounds like a different issue....

Could be. It was just a weird coincidence that the inflammation so closely followed the injections. Vet didn't come out when I came back to pick my pup up. I questioned the tech and she really didn't have an answer. At any rate, he is eating much better tonight and is sleeping on his big comforter, now.

 

[BlueBird]

does the new lump feel squishy like with liquid or lumpy like a tumor/inflammation?

Very squishy, just like the water lumps. It's gone down a bit, but he screams when I try to clean the area.

 

[nangiggles]

does the new lump feel squishy like with liquid or lumpy like a tumor/inflammation?

 

[nangiggles]

Very squishy, just like the water lumps. It's gone down a bit, but he screams when I try to clean the area.

Hmmm... do you have pet insurance or do u pay per visit? sounds like an accumulation of water that will go away on its own or may need draining... poor thing as longs as it's not like a sack hanging from the skin I dont think u should be too worried just monitor apetite energy and stools

 

[BlueBird]

Hmmm... do you have pet insurance or do u pay per visit? sounds like an accumulation of water that will go away on its own or may need draining... poor thing as longs as it's not like a sack hanging from the skin I dont think u should be too worried just monitor apetite energy and stools

No pet insurance, he was too old and born with deformities, so I couldn't get coverage. Nope, not a sack (anymore), and looks to be going down. Yeah, I'm monitoring his bm's and such. He ate very well today and is sleeping good. Thanks much Nan! Now I'm off to give him his eye drops and medicine.

 

[BlueBird]

Just an update: Laney is much, MUCH better today. I don't have to force feed him, he's now eating, and drinking water, on his own. Still on the antibiotics, but he's walking around almost better than before the infection, etc. The abscess has gone down but it's still rough looking. Thanks for your well wishes, guys!

 

[nangiggles]

I am so glad to hear that Bluebird, just keep monitoring

 

[twenty47]

i didnt know dogs could be 17.. good luck

 

[BlueBird]

I am so glad to hear that Bluebird, just keep monitoring

Thanks Girl!!


@twenty47 TY, yep, and in his case, it's pretty extraordinary considering his breed (Cavalier), on average, lives to about 10 years because of a predisposition to heart murmur, and in his particular circumstance, he was born with several physical deformities.

 

[musclemom]

Bluebird, dogs have lymph nodes just like us, under the armpit makes me think of lymphatic system.

From the perspective of alternative medicine, the lymphatic system is responsible for attacking/cleaning up infection (which can cover a lot of bases).

You're pup is old, hydration is a problem to begin with and movement is probably pretty limited. The lymphatic system does not have it's own pump (unlike the circulatory system) and relies on movement. Honestly, I'd say look into lymphatic massage for dogs (there's a couple of sites and YouTube videos out there). It should make your pup feel better (dry body brushing has the same effect on humans, I use that when I feel like I'm fighting a bug).

I'm sorry I can't recommend anything specifically though

 

[ledhead]

For future referernce when shooting water based stuff you have to press on the plunger slow
because it comes out super fast, so that's where you get your inflamation from a lot of times..

 

[BlueBird]

Bluebird, dogs have lymph nodes just like us, under the armpit makes me think of lymphatic system.

From the perspective of alternative medicine, the lymphatic system is responsible for attacking/cleaning up infection (which can cover a lot of bases).

You're pup is old, hydration is a problem to begin with and movement is probably pretty limited. The lymphatic system does not have it's own pump (unlike the circulatory system) and relies on movement. Honestly, I'd say look into lymphatic massage for dogs (there's a couple of sites and YouTube videos out there). It should make your pup feel better (dry body brushing has the same effect on humans, I use that when I feel like I'm fighting a bug).

I'm sorry I can't recommend anything specifically though

That's actually a great idea, MM! Thank you. I dry brush and use Tanaka/Zogan massage myself, so I definitely understand what valuable tools these are. I'll go search some vids on youtube.

 

[BlueBird]

For future referernce when shooting water based stuff you have to press on the plunger slow
because it comes out super fast, so that's where you get your inflamation from a lot of times..

Yes, good information to know. Thank YOu!