Dog Advice

[Deleted member 37751]

Around two months ago our boxer had a growth on his hind paw. Besides a few disagreements with the vets during the healing process (we were charged twice for a few things), his paw was healing fine.

About three week ago we noticed that there was a tiny bit of a stitch still showing so we phone the vets s d they told us to bring him in which we did. They then trimmed the stitch and sent us on our way.

Since that day, he's had the beginnings of another growth, but worse, the vets stance is that he isn't healing properly (a form of gangrene) and this is what is causing the problem. We're now over £600 into this and the vets line is to just keep throwing money at the problem which I don't mind doing if we've got an idea of the problem but I don't think they do.

They're now talking about amputation or even worse but our faith in their skills to fully diagnose is at an all time low, my wife is distraught about it all and I'm struggling to sleep such is the strain.

Does anyone have any advice as to where we go from here? He's due back at the vets Monday but I'm all ready to tear them a new one; I might not be a trained vet but I know the smell of bull****.

Any help or advice would be greatly relieved, we really are at the end of our tether with this, we love our dog and this is torture.

 

[Stratman]

Sorry to hear your and your dog's woes. As you seem to have little confidence in your current vet perhaps a different one is in order?

 

[AMGeed]

I'd suggest like humans and Doctors, get a second opinion from another vet?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

This is how is started 10 days ago:


This is how it looks today:

 

[developer]

Definite second opinion.

Do you have a PDSA nearby?

 

[W210Virgin]

Fitzpatrick Referrals. Try them. His specialty.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Definite second opinion.

Do you have a PDSA nearby?

I'll get in touch with them Monday after visiting the vets.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Fitzpatrick Referrals. Try them. His specialty.

Thanks, I'll get in touch with them Monday too.

 

[DSB SL AMG]

I had similar situation with my old vet (Vets4Pets)...problem with my dogs eye, kept prescribing different meds / treatments over several months which did not cure him... in the end I demanded a referral to veterinary eye specialist which sorted it, luckily I had pet insurance as the bill rose to £1k...we also switched to another locally recommended VET...I totally agree with above get 2nd and maybe 3rd opinions asap next week...

 

[MercedesDriver]

I'm not a doctor or a vet but this doesn't look like gangrene at all but as severe inflammation.
My father in law told his doctor when this one suggested amputation of in-laws leg to put his own name on the list before him.
Same applies to this vet which suggested amputation of your dogs leg, first him then your dog.

 

[brucemillar]

Lee

Sorry to hear this. If you haven't already? Have a Google. There is a wealth of info on there in regards to canine gangrene symptoms, appearance etc.

Have you considered an emergency vet. If it is gangrene or an infection, that may give you and the dog some respite.

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[Deleted96908]

I'll get in touch with them Monday after visiting the vets.

Thanks, I'll get in touch with them Monday too.

Great, you've got a plan.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Feel a lot more positive this morning, thanks for the comments, I've done some digging as to who and where the PDSA vets reside and the nearest one is only a mile away.

 

[MicB]

Wishing your dog well.......we lost our last boxer about one year ago.......five in all.....just loved them and miss them.







Mic

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Here he is at the end of his daily five mile walk (which we've not been on for what feels like an age):

 

[ChrisEdu]

I'd be surprised if that's gangrene. Having had experience with it, it tends to make the tissue black and it stinks like he'll, as it is essentially dead tissue and begins to rot. There are times when wounds struggle to heal due to infection or other underlying factors.

It's a shame my uncle died earlier this year, he not only trained dogs for the military, but was also the founder of International Animal Rescue and had lots of experience with dogs. He'did have been able to give some very good advice . As it is, get another opinion and consider seeking a biopsy on the growth.

 

[davidjpowell]

If your not happy then as everyone has said it's second opinion time. We use Raoul Dowling in Bawtry and never had a problem with them (hopefully not the vet that you have used!).

Feel for the chap - please pass a virtual treat or two his way.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

We use Raoul Dowling in Bawtry and never had a problem with them (hopefully not the vet that you have used!).

No, we use the one on Balby Road, near to the Shell garage.

 

[CowleyStJames]

To inflame that quickly looks like a infection.
Did you go to a second vet?
With the lack lustre service from the first vet I wouldn't be surprised if their clinical hygiene wasn't first class.
Does it feel hot? If so it's almost certainly an infection.
Antibiotics come to mind as a first step.
Come back and follow up on this post please.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

He's been on a course of Loxicom and antibiotics for the past ten days, this seems to have only exacerbated the problem.