Not So Wordless Wednesday

This little lady had the outermost toe of her right hind leg amputated yesterday. It is believed that the sarcoma on the paw pad should now be gone in its entirety. Nevertheless, to be safe, the toe is being sent out for biopsy, to ensure that all margins of the tumor were removed. In addition, we of course will always keep an eye on that area, as well as the rest of Astrid's body, for any potential recurrence. For now, though, we are being optimistic.

Prior to surgery, Astrid had a chest x-ray done. The veterinarian did not expect to see anything concerning, but did want to be safe and ensure there was no metastasis visible in the lungs or elsewhere. Nothing abnormal showed up on the x-rays, thank goodness! Astrid's bloodwork was also all good.

Since the surgery, Astrid has been doing pretty well. She came home still pretty drowsy from the anesthesia, which is a feeling that she clearly does not like. Also, just like the last time around, she is not a fan of the bandage applied by the veterinarian. Understandably, the vet wrapped the bandage tightly enough that Astrid cannot get to her incision and sutures. But, let's be honest, Astrid is not a fan of tight bandages.

After her initial mass removal last week, Astrid only stopped moping and perked up when we changed the bandage at home and wrapped it more loosely. This time, though, the bandage has to stay on for a couple of days, and she'll be going back in on Friday to have it removed, the incision checked, and a new bandage applied. When necessary, Astrid has to wear the cone of shame to keep her from the bandage. She is also still getting pain meds and anti-anxiety meds as she heals, to keep her as happy and calm as possible.

The Battle of the Bandage will probably rage on for the next couple of weeks while the incision heals. Hopefully this little mummy pup can handle it.

Thank you all again for the purrs, barks, thoughts, prayers, love, and support you've been sending our way! Astrid and all of us here appreciate it more than we can ever express.

***

Our Tip of the Day:

Though you'd think it would be a simple task, keep in mind that sometimes there is a right and a wrong way to clean and bandage a wound. Depending on the location, depth, and overall type of wound, certain materials and techniques might work better than others. If cleaning a wound is necessary, safe options might include warm water, an antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine, or another solution offered by a veterinarian.

Once cleaned, a typical bandage often involves using a non-adherent pad, which can then be wrapped with gauze, which is then often held in place with self-adherent bandaging and/or medical tape. Then again, sometimes bandaging is not required, or is only required for a short amount time, after which exposure to air might be needed in order to allow the wound to heal better and faster.

Then there is the topic of whether or not to use an ointment on a wound. Some antibiotic ointments used for humans are not the best choice for animals, and sometimes moisture from an ointment might not benefit a particular wound. In some cases, medicated powders allow for the best wound healing.

For all of these reasons, when in doubt, whether it be an accidental wound or an incision from a procedure, it is often best to consult your veterinarian about cleaning and bandaging. Having a professional clean a wound and apply bandaging for you is never a bad idea. If at-home bandaging is required or beneficial, though, then never hesitate to ask your veterinarian to demonstrate or explain the process to you.