Quote: Keith Kaplan

I guess I am posting because I am nervous and need to post. ... Mostly I guess I am posting because I feel helpless.

Having him see the vet every day when you do that bandage change is (IMHO) the very best thing you could be doing. The experienced eyes that will be so quick to see infection gaining or receding are your best bet.

The bump was a cyst. They tested it and it is benign. Connie, he has seen the vet everyday when they do the bandage changes. We went again today. It is still draining a lot and not looking too much better. They want to continue to see him everyday. I asked about changing antibiotics, they said we will know in the next few days if he is turning the corner. One stitch is comin out but it looks to be healing around it which is a good sign that it is beginning to heal. I've tried the blowup inner tube cone but that was even easier for him. Same with the cervical collar. He is just just so long with a log nose and agile. I'm going to try not puttin the muzzle on tonight and see I the sedatives knock him out enough to where I can give him them tomorrow while at work in lieu of the muzzle.

I appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.

He got his bandage off again when his muzzle was off bu Elizabethan collar was on. I think he loosened a stitch as it was bleeding. Had to wrap it myself. Going back to vet tomorrow.

Poor guy.

I hope you can get him feeling better. Is he using the biggest size of Ecollar?

I believe so. Its latest vet said they make. It's 30cm. I was at store and didn't see one larger. I'm tempted to put a second kind either cervical or inner tube to see if that'll work. I was able to rebandage his tail outside. I tried inside but he growled and lunged at girlfriend as she was helping me. I'm not even goin to try putting muzzle on tonight as I don't want to get bit. I took him for a long walk and hopefully sedatives will kick in soon and he'll have no interest in bandage.

Well I was hoping the sedative would make him not care, but this morning he pulled off bandage again. I am goin to try and use the inner tube with the e collar today to see if it helps. For today, I put him in the crate so that should restrict his movement as well with the cone on.

 Quote: Keith Kaplan

Well I was hoping the sedative would make him not care, but this morning he pulled off bandage again. I am goin to try and use the inner tube with the e collar today to see if it helps. For today, I put him in the crate so that should restrict his movement as well with the cone on.

I feel for you, Keith, as well as for the dog. Hang in there with patience.

Tail things can be awful. Does he have a clipper rash around the surgery site?

Another update... I don't know about clipper rash at the tail, but he did have it at the iv site on his arm. He seems to be in better spirits. Ha a sit down win the vet Saturday, she said that she's not sure it's infected anymore since the oozing is clear with a little blood. He is still on cepha and metronidazole for diarrhea. Also on rimadyl and tramadol for pain and acepromazine for sedation. It was weird that hey didn't have the vet look at it today when I had it rebandaged. I told them they need to make sure to do it tomorrow when I am in. They changed to a wet to dry bandage and I think he likes the wet since he doesn't go after it right after its changed anymore.

The vet said the dead black akin is probably because she had to pull it so tight to suture it that the ends are not getting enough blood and dying. Said she was happy where it is gig and she is back in office Wednesday and will look at it bu other vet should in the mean time. I know he is acting better, not nearly as much growling so I am hopeful. Also, the cervical collar in addition to the cone has prevented him from getting at the bandage. I hope it starts healing and stitches can come out in a few days to a week. Poor guy...I just know he will want to lick it when they bandage comes off and I know we will have to use the cone for awhile, oh how I am dreading that lol.

Glad to hear he's getting better.
Most tail things are helped by lots of leash walking, ball throwing, and balling the dog out when he goes to lick. Big yummy bones to chew, lots of distraction. The vet probably didn't look at it because there isn't anything more to do except what they are doing now -- it's just going to take time.
Acepromazine is a decent tranquilizer with long duration of effect, but it has no analgesia, or pain relief properties. An interesting thing about ace is that it removes training, some well trained animals don't even remember "sit" when on ace.
I'm sorry you have had such a time.