Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin… This is the story of our ‘all too real’ Halloween experience this year. It all started so innocently one Tuesday afternoon in October when we took our 12 year old Labrador bitch to the Vets for her annual booster vaccination.
We had been aware for some time that she had a lump growing on her left hind leg but we were reassured by our Vet that this was just fatty tissue and presented no serious risk – however – on that fateful day our Vet became concerned about the size of the lump and in particular the stress the skin was under that an emergency procedure was booked for October 31st (Halloween) to remove the fatty tissue.
This was always going to be a tricky procedure due to the potential risk of damage to the skins blood supply and the unknown viability of the skin due to how much it had stretched over the lump, but the initial outlook seemed good when she arrived home later that day.
With a suture line in a position virtually impossible to bandage we knew it was going to be 24/7 care for her while she recovered, so as dedicated dog owners we organised rotating 4 hour shifts between us to stay with her (note: it’s amazing how much rubbish TV is on between 3am – 6am).
What we were not prepared for during this time of convalescence was battery acid like fluid seeping through her skin (think Alien movie) and large patches of necrotic black skin appearing over huge craters in her leg – welcome to our real life Halloween. Watching large black dead patches of skin peel away from her leg in real time is something you don’t forget easily.
Now I must state at this point that our Vet had been getting daily updates and was very active in keeping us informed and tending to her needs. The home visits to see her and the personal dropping off of medicines was greatly appreciated.
With little sign of change to her condition and the panic that more skin would die and leave us with nothing to work with in terms of additional sutures, you can imagine our disbelief when her test swabs came back positive for MRSA. At this point we we preparing ourselves for the worst and trying to make peace with the fact that we may actually lose both our dogs this year.
So where are we now? Well a change of antibiotics and the application of active Manuka Honey, coupled with extra helpings of love and attention and she’s showing encouraging signs. We’re not out of the woods yet and we have a long way to go but we’re certainly in a better place than a fortnight ago.
I would love to finish this post on a high and bring you some good news but unfortunately we cannot afford ourselves that luxury just yet. The next dog post is either going to be a really good one or a really bad one..
Carlos
Fingers, toes and everything else crossed for you both and of course Treacle. I’m sure though with the love and attention from you both she will do just fine 👍👍
Nettie
Well after two long months I now feel able to comment on this post…..
I cannot describe how heartbreaking it was to fear you were losing your dog while watching her skin dying and disintegrating before your very eyes and each time we thought we were making progress we took two steps back. I can honestly tell you there were many anxious times and so many tears were cried.
However two months on and on the last day of 2020 I am pleased and relieved to be able to say that Treacle is still with us and going from strength to strength. It is the best Christmas and New Year present we could ever wish for.
Thank you to everybody for their patience while we were incommunicado nursing our puppy dog back to health and thank you for all the words of support. We got there in the end and hope we never have to go through anything like that again.
We like many others say good riddance to 2020, although if the last few months have taught me anything it is to take care of those (animals and humans) who are most dear to you as nobody knows what the future holds.
Hoping 2021 brings you all some happiness. Take care and stay safe.