Allie - really bad abscess

[k9Karen]

I noticed a small (approximately the size of a quarter) hard lump just behind Allie's shoulder on Monday or Tuesday night. Since she is so prone to forming sebaceous cysts, at first I thought it was just a new cyst. She didn't flinch when I touched it, and her behavior and eating patterns were normal. When I got home from class last night, it had grown to about 4 inches in diameter and was hot to the touch. I made an appointment with the vet for this afternoon, and when we got there she had a temperature of 104-something. The vet did a quick needle aspirate, which returned some nasty purulent 'gunk'. Because it had come on so quickly, and it was so large, he recommended immediate surgical drainage, with the insertion of a penrose drain. I had to leave my baby girl at the vet to have the surgery at about 4pm this afternoon. Dr. S did let me take the 'gunk' to my lab so I could set up the culture (a nice savings of $60, plus, I know it will be done right!). The gram stain looked like a text-book case of a staph infection. She has to stay at the vet for at least tonight, an maybe until Saturday. I don't have a clue how she could have been injured for this infection to set in.

I miss my baby girl - it's awfully quiet here without her.

[Traci]

I'm sorry, Karen, hopefully it will heal with no problems...the good thing is that you caught it in time for effective treatment.

It's hard telling how she got it (if abcess), could be anything, you know that

[k9Karen]

I'm sorry, Karen, hopefully it will heal with no problems...the good thing is that you caught it in time for effective treatment.

It's hard telling how she got it (if abcess), could be anything, you know that

Thanks Traci. I know it could be from almost anything - staph can cause some really nasty infections. I can only hope that I didn't bring some really nasty, resistant strain home to her.

[Traci]

It could have been as simple as a nick that just got infected, or a sharp grass seed from the yard or nearly anything...you know dogs

Did she ever have a sebaceoous cyst in that particular area before? You've never had any removed, have you?

[k9Karen]

I believe she might have had a very small cyst there, but I'm not completely sure - it could have been a bit lower. We had talked about removing the larger ones when she had her dental done this year, but she hasn't needed the teeth cleaning yet. I try to keep their teeth clean, but, of course what I can do isn' t the same as a professional cleaning. Her gums and teeth are OK, so a cleaning hasn't been needed. The vet had lanced and drained three of them, but they all eventually came back. One (at the base of her tail) is rather large, one low on her shoulder is about dime-sized, and the others are very small bumps. They usually get to about the size of a dime or nickel and then burst open and drain on their own, then stay small for quite a while before the start to enlarge again. She's seen 3 different vets (same practice - they rotate duties), and none have suggested removing them as a stand-alone procedure.

[Traci]

I would agree not to remove them if they aren't bothersome. However, if they are prone to infection and draining, you might want to opt for a biopsy. Do you have a veterinary dermatologist available to you to consult with?

[jdf]

Sorry to hear Allie has an infection, Karen.... hope it resolves quickly.

I once had a staph infection set in following a spider bite... maybe Allie was bitten/stung by some sort of sub-tropical insect.

[k9Karen]

Sorry to hear Allie has an infection, Karen.... hope it resolves quickly.

I once had a staph infection set in following a spider bite... maybe Allie was bitten/stung by some sort of sub-tropical insect.

I don't think we'll ever know. The did find a small pustule of some type that also drained.

I was able to bring her home tonight instead of having to wait until Saturday, which is reassuring. The area of the abscess is more swollen now than before, but, hopefully, is resolving. The penrose drain is still in - I have an appt to take her back tomorrow at 11am and, hopefully, they will be able to remove it. I know it needs to stay in as long as it's still needed, but it seems to me that there must be a time when the risk vs benefit ratio shifts to more risk than benefit (it's an open, direct route to an area that should be sterile). She's mad as a hornet - if looks could kill, I'd be dead right now. (Though, she has softened a bit since I first brought her home, and no longer looks at me with daggers in her eyes). If she could only understand that I did this because I love her so much!!

Good to hear from you Jim. It's been too long!!

[k9Karen]

I would agree not to remove them if they aren't bothersome. However, if they are prone to infection and draining, you might want to opt for a biopsy. Do you have a veterinary dermatologist available to you to consult with?

This is the first one to get infected (if that's what it was). I don't know if there is a dermatologist nearby, but I am only an hour away from Tampa or Orlando, and about 2 1/2 hours from the University of Florida in Gainesville (they have the only vet school in the state). If it comes to that, I'm sure my vets will know where to send us. They're a great group. The vet that did the surgery is new to the practice, and very young, but I really liked him. He was kind, informative, and treated both me and Allie with respect. Can't ask for anything more!

[E's]

You are in my thoughts, dear Karen... hoping for the best!