German Shepherd had surgery Need your guys help warning gross pics

[tellynpeep]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. It looks like there was too much tension on the original suture line. That alone will cause an incision to break down. Skin incisions should be made to allow the suture line to heal without tension on it.
Anyway, with good care I'm sure this will heal up just fine. It will take a while though. I'd find another vet to help you deal with wound care. Ask about honey bandages. Will greatly speed healing and keep out bacteria.

Anyway, to recoup your losses unfortunately that will take a lawyer and way more money to determine. A complaint to the state board will cost you nothing however, and, depending on what state you are in, may result in severe consequences for the vet.
Good luck!

 

[sassifrassi]

Elastoplast bandages. The ones that are on a roll that you can cut to size. They stick very well. Barring that I have used duct tape with some guaze squares to make a bandage. That works well too and was a trick taught to me by a vet. If you can't find Steri-strips (which I think would be too wimpy for your application) you can cut stips of duct tape and use that. I've done it - it works.
Good Luck!

 

[Lovesdisney]

Butterfly closures or steri strips.

I know I am coming in on this late, but its pretty common for wounds to open up. We actually had a medical missions child from africa come and she had rectal prolapse. The sutures on her bottom (from her anus up her butt crack) actually came open. They had to redo the surgery.... but it happens. When hers were coming open we had to wait it was the weekend.... in the hospital and we waited until monday morning. So I would keep it clean and take her during business hours.

In the meantime I would butterfly that bad boy closed..... I am not sure I would cover it.... unless it was something really loose. The problem is it will get stuck to the other sutures and runs the risk of pulling them as well when you remove it.

Good luck! Poor pup!

Beth

 

[chickerdoodle]

Quote:
Oh my goodness what a perfect video--that is exactly what clients have said!! It is so true--we had so many folks saying we should treat their pet free because we love animals. Huh? Do they say that to their doctor or the hospital? How do we eat and pay the mortgage and the other overhead I mentioned in my previous post to be able to stay open so we can treat any pets? I had one client say she wanted us to give her a "loan" for her pet's treatment. I asked her if she had any relatives or friends to help her out (she had never been to our clinic before and the estimate was several hundred dollars--she was declined by Care Credit) and she said "Oh, no. I would never expect them to help pay for my pet." So how did she expect a perfect stranger to help her if she wouldn't ask a loved one or friend?

Don't get me wrong we always stabilized any emergencies such as dogs hit by a car of a gastric torsion first before talking money.

When we had long term clients who hit hard times we always worked with them--I even took good faith payments without interest. I took an occasional barter as well. I had one client who went bankrupt and he came to me and said he did not want to write off his bill to us as we had been so understanding and saved his pet. He paid us $15-20/month for a year until he got a job and finished paying the bill! Now that's integrity!

Sorry if a little off topic but this happens all the time at veterinary hospitals.

As for the OP--if you were a good client and paid the original bill I think a little leeway should have been given if it was an emergency. I will also add the wound will heal--I've seen worse and they heal by second intention. It takes longer and is more work but your dog should be fine if you follow instructions. Steri strips (butterfly sutures) can be used but don't close it all the way--since its open it can get dirty and you'll need to keep it open for draining and cleaning. It must heal inside out--not outside then inside to avoid infection.

 

[NightingaleJen]

Just popping in to see how your pup is doing! I'm sorry to see that the wound has opened up again but hope you can keep him from hurting himself. I do wish the vet had been more understanding...Even let you pay in installments.

 

[CacklingCarolyn]

I am coming in late on this and am so sorry for all you are going through with your dog. You said he is sleeping in your son's bed? He probably shouldn't be doing that much movement. I realize he is a big dog and that isn't going to be that far for him but given all you have gone through I would probably put him in a small room like a bathroom or something to limit his movement even more. I hope he heals up soon.

 

[Cackling Hen]

Well i have read all you advice Thank you. Jr is doing really good he is slowly healing its been a long few weeks. The second surgery to re-stitch him they are letting me make payments and Im ok with that woohoo. The 3rd time we all decided to just let it heal 2x a day we clean it and put trip antobatic on it. We had tryed everything to keep something over it and we finally came up with a ace bandage and a hand towel cotton it works grea.t He hates it but its covered he still has the cone one as for my sons room its a small room my dog is BIG he is a old big dog who just lays down he dont jump or play very much anymore so the room is working great. He has been an outside dog for his whole life so being inside is killing him also. Thanks again all I will post pics of his wound soon