Snowy Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I would be interested to know if anyone else has ever experienced this, and how they managed it. We took Ruby (9 year old springer) to the vets last month as she developed an abscess over her ribs. They drained it under GA and a large grass seed came out. We thought all was well, but the swelling reappeared this week, so yesterday we took her back to the vets and they admitted her straight away to have it drained again. She is home again now, with an even bigger wound and a wound drain in situ. They couldn't find anything this time, but did say that they had to cut away some necrotic tissue. They seem to think that the seed has tracked out from her lungs, but have no way of knowing without a CT scan. She had Xrays and ultrasound last time which showed nothing. They think this will reccur - the problem is that a scan and specialist referral and surgery will eat up all of our insurance allowance and more besides. I am hoping and praying that it will now heal up, but not holding my breath. Anyone else been through this? Can anyone offer me any other advice? Just clutching at straws really, I know that a CT scan sounds sensible to see if there is anything still in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) Oh gosh, I don't have any advice at all, but just wanted to send get well soon thoughts to Ruby. Grass seeds are such evil things, they really do seem to cause all sorts of trouble for our pooches Edited October 24, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Grass seeds are evils little things and can move around the body. It is like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Referral to a practice with a CT scanner might well be the answer if things don't settle. Removing all of the necrotic tissue plus the drain may do the trick. A CT early on is often than all of the exploratory treatment along the way but it can be hard for vets sometimes to get this across as people think they are motivated by money - not saying this is the case here though . Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Like L/B above, no advice, since it is such a dilemma ~ to scan or not, but just sending best wishes to Ruby, and hoping you have the wisdom of Soloman Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 So sorry to hear that Cathy - love and hugs to Ruby, and licks from my two loons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 Thank you all for your good wishes She is back at the vets this morning for a post op check and possibly to have her drain removed, although I think it will need to stay as it is still draining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 How is your girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 (edited) Hi all, Well the drain is still in, I didn't think it would come out as it is still oozing She is OK in herself, just frustrated at being on lead walks only, and bashing into everything in her buster collar! Although she is insured, it looks like we would exceed our limit if we went for the CT scan and specialist, so that was a worry - however we have had a P P I claim supported so at least that worry has been allayed I will be pushing for a scan as soon as she is well enough so we can get this sorted out LOL edited to change to P P Edited October 26, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Fingers crossed for the wee lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 sending Ruby snuggles from us (and Piperkit - who only looks at doggles from a distance ) cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
