Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
GAL Website -> GAL Forum -> About Your Dogs -> Leg Infection Warning Signs -- Information
Post Info TOPIC: Leg Infection Warning Signs -- Information
takecon


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 305
Date:
Leg Infection Warning Signs -- Information
Permalink Closed

Hi Everyone,


MAJOR LEG INFECTION WARNING SIGNS


I just wanted to post my experience of the major leg infection that struck my foster dog Sim (Card). ( he has gone to a wonderful new home)   ( U may have seen Sim at Christmas Show)


The first indication was a limp in Sim's rear right leg. This went on for 2-3 days. Sim had a slight 'knick' at hip level in his skin. A playing injury with my dogs. NOTE  - no sign of any infection etc in this small injury.


I assumed it was the typical greyhound muscle strain as a result of suden energetic movement.


Coincidently, Sim was booked in for his neutering operation and had been going through his pre op starvation. But, overnight his leg suddenly swelled up alarmingly  - 2-3 times. Operation was cancelled and he was prescibed antibiotics and anti inflamatory drugs. He was in pain.


Within 48 hours the skin on his rear leg broke in several places - helped by constant licking by Sim when I was out.


This resulted in emergency dash to vet - Sim with bloody dripping leg - me with towel etc.  so loads of wound dressings , bandages and outer bandages for next 3 weeks.


Sim is recovering well- he was the perfect patient - loved his visits to vet and endured me changing his dressings with very little complaint - despite the pain.


His new owners - bless them - agreed to take him - prior to his full recovery - and agreed to continue the dressing changes etc


 


Reason I post this - has anyone had experience of such infections? and warning to observe limps very closely in case an infection is getting upperhand.


Vet - has no definite source of infection  - possibly the skin nick ( but note no infection in that wound )


 


Charles Thompson  (takecon)


 


 


 



__________________
Charles Thompson
skinnydugs


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 153
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Charles, Jill my 9 1/2 yr old greyhound has arthritis in her front leg and last year her whole leg swelt up to double the thickness. The vet reckons she had an infection in her arthritic bone. She couldn't walk for weeks and the fluid drained from the leg itself.


We couldnt see any puncture wounds but obviously something nasty got in to do that much damage. Thankfully she recovered, and is fine now.


 


Esther



__________________
scoobcleecook


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 106
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi there!


Although I haven't had any problems with our dogs getting infections like you mentioned, our old cat (who was a bit of a "battler") used to come up with them regularly!   They were usually caused by a deep puncture wound from fighting - it was often nigh on impossible to see the area where the infection had entered although sometimes this would become apparent if the area became really swollen (if it got to this extent - usually overnight - the hole became a sort of "escape valve" for the pus (Yuk!!!)).


I don't know if this helps you any, but thought I'd mention it anyway!   I'll continue looking in with interest!


Cheers!


Jean



__________________
carolineasb


Old Hand

Status: Offline
Posts: 61
Date:
Permalink Closed

Charles


Just wondered if the last post from Jean abt her cat might be of relevance as I think you have cats.  Could the cats have bitten Sim?  I know that cats have something in their saliva (not sure what) that is particularly bad for whoever or whatever they bite.  My little female moggie is very streetwise and appears to have fights on a regular basis.  She has on occasion ended up with abcesses due to bites - usually on the tail, hind leg or around the head area - which have necessitated antibiotics from the vet.


Have also taken birds and mice that have been caught by cats to a Wildlife Centre in Beith and I know that they routinely give antibiotics to these animals as I am told that even if we can't see the bite marks the cat may well have punctured the skin (even slightly) and that could be fatal to the small furry.


Haven't had any problems with my cats biting the dogs though.  Sascha (my grey) never goes near them (they sometimes walk under her) and if Alfie (my mad Lurcher) wants to play with them they usually run away or try to hit him with their paws!


Rgds


Caroline



__________________
Suzanne


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 695
Date:
Permalink Closed

re the cat query - even a nick from a cats claw or teeth can have that affect on both dogs & humans where the limb swells up really badly. Its due to cats catching, killing & eating mice/birds etc when out - their teeth & claws are riddled with really nasty bacteria. Im training to be a vet nurse & have heard & seen some really nasty cat bite wounds on both humans & dogs (cat on cat doesnt seem to react so much as they must be tolerant to their own bacteria) - both need immediate attention/antibiotics as cats teeth/claws create a punture wound & drive bacteria deep into the tissue.



__________________
They say owners look like their dogs...Im still waiting to morph into a super fit, lean machine with legs up to my armpits...
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
GAL Website -> GAL Forum -> About Your Dogs -> Leg Infection Warning Signs -- Information
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard