This little guy is a Trooper

[DJEtzel]

I wondered if they were eventually going to do so. I bet he'll feel loads better when they're done! Wish him the best of luck.

Yeah I'm anxious to see him afterwards! I am sure he'll look and feel so much better.

I can't speak for the vet, but wound debridement is very common in human healthcare. It's actually very important to make sure the wound heals correctly.

And just an FYI, there are topical creams that debride... so this might be something to bring up with the vet. They're prescription, so I dont' know if a vet has the license to write an rx for them? But, they're applied daily and do an amazing job without the need for being put under.

Hmm. I kind of feel like that yellow goo did something like that, but a little less extreme? It made so much skin and tissue fall off... I just don't think it was strong enough to get some of the larger (palm sized) chunks of skin off. :-/

I could be wrong. I had to google debridement so what do I know?

 

[CharlieDog]

I could be wrong. I had to google debridement so what do I know?

Human debridement of a large area is extremely painful I've heard. I'm glad the vet is helping it along, it really does work wonders for large areas.

My mom (a really really long time ago) got her leg/calf stuck in the chain of a three wheeler that flipped over with her on the back. It practically ate her leg to the bone.

She had to go to a whirlpool type debridement therapy for a long time. She wasn't allowed pain killers while they were doing it either. She said she cussed the nurse that did it to her from her to the ends of the earth every single time they did it (and it was weekly) and after it was over and healed up completely you couldn't even tell it had happened. She went back and apologized to him profusely and took him out to dinner lol.

But yeah, serious road rash or burns like that, not fun.

Glad he's on the mend! (Also, totally understand the Ex's and dogs thing, which is really no one elses business)

 

[xpaeanx]

Yeah I'm anxious to see him afterwards! I am sure he'll look and feel so much better.



Hmm. I kind of feel like that yellow goo did something like that, but a little less extreme? It made so much skin and tissue fall off... I just don't think it was strong enough to get some of the larger (palm sized) chunks of skin off. :-/

I could be wrong. I had to google debridement so what do I know?

It's possible the the tissue was too much for it to breakdown quickly, or perhaps the vet can't write an rx for some of the really good topicals, or they might have thought it was going to heal differently. There are so many factors when you get into wound care, especially when you get into the big wounds. I've seen the topicals to AMAZING jobs though.

Since he's having the surgical debridment done now you might want to ask about the topical(find out if that's what the 'goo' was?). It might be something to consider starting if he's not already. I don't want to sound like I'm super pushing them... but with larger wounds you may find yourself needing to remove tissue a few times and I hate procedures that require general anestesia... I like to keep that as the last option.

And another great way to keep a large wound like that clean and help with healing is whirlpool therapy. Idk if you have access to that though... I have a few ideas for how to mimic one at home... but they could end with a huge mess in the bathroom! HAHA!

 

[meepitsmeagan]

Trooper is definitely lucky to be with you!

And I completely support Danielle and you know I've never picked fights with you, DD. I'm not sure why people can't just leave well enough alone, especially when I've had some questionable situations and have never been asked twice (Finn especially)... just let it be already.

 

[DJEtzel]

Human debridement of a large area is extremely painful I've heard. I'm glad the vet is helping it along, it really does work wonders for large areas.

My mom (a really really long time ago) got her leg/calf stuck in the chain of a three wheeler that flipped over with her on the back. It practically ate her leg to the bone.

She had to go to a whirlpool type debridement therapy for a long time. She wasn't allowed pain killers while they were doing it either. She said she cussed the nurse that did it to her from her to the ends of the earth every single time they did it (and it was weekly) and after it was over and healed up completely you couldn't even tell it had happened. She went back and apologized to him profusely and took him out to dinner lol.

But yeah, serious road rash or burns like that, not fun.

Glad he's on the mend! (Also, totally understand the Ex's and dogs thing, which is really no one elses business)

Oh goodness! I could not imagine the pain.

also, thank you!

It's possible the the tissue was too much for it to breakdown quickly, or perhaps the vet can't write an rx for some of the really good topicals, or they might have thought it was going to heal differently. There are so many factors when you get into wound care, especially when you get into the big wounds. I've seen the topicals to AMAZING jobs though.

Since he's having the surgical debridment done now you might want to ask about the topical(find out if that's what the 'goo' was?). It might be something to consider starting if he's not already. I don't want to sound like I'm super pushing them... but with larger wounds you may find yourself needing to remove tissue a few times and I hate procedures that require general anestesia... I like to keep that as the last option.

And another great way to keep a large wound like that clean and help with healing is whirlpool therapy. Idk if you have access to that though... I have a few ideas for how to mimic one at home... but they could end with a huge mess in the bathroom! HAHA!

Definitely going to ask about it tonight when I pick him up. For what it's worth, they aren't planning on putting him under general anesthesia. They are doing a mild sedative with a local and hoping that will get the job done. She said she may end up putting him completely under, but they want to try without, first. Most of the stuff they are removing is dead/falling off already, so I don't think they have to do much that will hurt him too bad.

With the way it's looking, I'm really hoping we don't have to do it AGAIN... it seems like the skin growing is staying very healthy and some spots on his head/leg are turning much lighter and have some peach fuzz on them!

LOL If the ideas aren't too extensive, feel free to share! I have a bathtub and a shower head attachment, I'm imagining filling the tub a little and putting the shower head under water to mimic a whirlpool?

Trooper is definitely lucky to be with you!

And I completely support Danielle and you know I've never picked fights with you, DD. I'm not sure why people can't just leave well enough alone, especially when I've had some questionable situations and have never been asked twice (Finn especially)... just let it be already.

You know I love you Meagan. I need to take you out to dinner or something soon. XD (after the 1st though- I'm dirt poor again right now )

 

[DJEtzel]

Alright, some pictures at the clinic last night. The lighting really helped see where everything was via picture...

Hooman. Enough.

 

[*blackrose]

OW. Dogs are amazing. I would not be moving.

 

[StillandSilent]

I don't know much about chemical burns, but we once had a puppy at the shelter who was burned in a very similar pattern after running underneath the tailpipe of a car that had been running. I guess hewas burned andstarted thrashing, leading to more burns. Just a thought.

Debriding is awful. Gambit had to have it done every other day when his ear was so infected, and I cried every time because of how much hehurt. But it looks fantastic now.

 

[swaimp]

Oh my lord, that looks so painful. I have seen similar (but not as extensive) wounds on a dogs back that were thought not to be burns but from the dog going under a fence and getting caught.

Trooper is adorable. I cannot believe how I have changed over the years from thinking the only real dog is a BIG dog to really falling for the little ones. I'm looking forward to following the rest of Trooper's journey to his new and improved life!

 

[Beanie]

Yeeeouch. Poor guy.

It's so weird because he kinda looks fat in his pictures... like he was definitely a pet who was eating too much? And yet here he is. Maybe he just looks fat but it's so weird. He just doesn't look like a random stray dog who got randomly abused. Which makes it kind of even worse.

 

[DJEtzel]

OW. Dogs are amazing. I would not be moving.

Seriously. I'd be like, please put me out of my misery.

I don't know much about chemical burns, but we once had a puppy at the shelter who was burned in a very similar pattern after running underneath the tailpipe of a car that had been running. I guess hewas burned andstarted thrashing, leading to more burns. Just a thought.

Debriding is awful. Gambit had to have it done every other day when his ear was so infected, and I cried every time because of how much hehurt. But it looks fantastic now.

I have definitely given thought to that sort of thing. I really want to think it was some kind of freak accident and no one found him.

Oh my lord, that looks so painful. I have seen similar (but not as extensive) wounds on a dogs back that were thought not to be burns but from the dog going under a fence and getting caught.

Trooper is adorable. I cannot believe how I have changed over the years from thinking the only real dog is a BIG dog to really falling for the little ones. I'm looking forward to following the rest of Trooper's journey to his new and improved life!

Seriously, me too. I never used to like little dogs. After working in shelters and meeting some really cool little dogs, I've totally changed my mind. Between this guy and Billy... Totally gonna rescue an older little dog at some point when my house is quieter.

Yeeeouch. Poor guy.

It's so weird because he kinda looks fat in his pictures... like he was definitely a pet who was eating too much? And yet here he is. Maybe he just looks fat but it's so weird. He just doesn't look like a random stray dog who got randomly abused. Which makes it kind of even worse.

He IS overweight. Ideally we'd like to see him lose a pound or two. That's why I really just want to think this was some terrible accident and he got away or got away then an accident. :-/

 

[DJEtzel]

Got a call (voicemail) from the vet about his procedure today.

They barely had to sedate him, they said they had no problems with him or the pain and trimming all the dead skin away. Also gave him a bath and some hydrotherapy. Said they'd be giving me a special medicated shampoo for baths 3x a week at home or that I could have the clinic do them when we have our appointments every week. Anxious to see how he looks and what meds they're keeping him on/taking him off, etc.

 

[Skits]

Read most of the thread - I'm glad you took him in. Poor guy! He sounds like such a sweet dog and I'm sure it won't be difficult to find him a good home once he's better!

 

[Muppet]

Awe may Trooper heal quickly. What a cutie

 

[noludoru]

Why do I have to keep opening this thread up while I'm eating? The pics aren't bad, but DD's comments are really making me nauseous.

DJ, good on you for taking care of this poor dog. It's a lot of work and cleanup, but he's going to have a chance for a forever home now - and a life without pain.

 

[DJEtzel]

Alrighty, little guy is home from the vet, and happy. Did some mad scarfing of new Blue buffalo wilderness kibble and wet food upon entrance to my home this evening. Then I gave him lots of pills and smeared silver sulfadiazine* all over him so he retaliated by smearing it all over my carpet. -_- At least the carpet is a little brighter after the scrubbing? XD

Pictures! He looks so much better and was acting so much happier! He was prancing around and being SPUNKY. Like, I'm gonna get a mouthful of kibble then rocket over to the water bowl and drop it all along the way, spunky. It's great to see.

He's getting 3 baths a week with EPI Soothe on top of his 2 antibiotics, 2 pain killers, and the cream. Our next vet visit is Saturday morning. Driving out of town 3+ times a week for this little guy, getting 18mpg... he's lucky I like him. (nolu, maybe I should buy a new car from you?)

Also... call me skeptical, but does the wound not look an awful like like a big "X" to you? :-/

 

[CharlieDog]

That doesn't look like an accidental burn to me

Looks like something was definitely poured over him. The pattern fits exactly if you put any of my dogs in the bath and pour water from a pitcher over their shoulders. The "run" pattern is exactly the same. The ones on his thigh could have been from flopping into it.

Poor dude. Jeez. I can't even, don't WANT to even imagine someone could do something like this to a dog.

 

[DJEtzel]

That doesn't look like an accidental burn to me

Looks like something was definitely poured over him. The pattern fits exactly if you put any of my dogs in the bath and pour water from a pitcher over their shoulders. The "run" pattern is exactly the same. The ones on his thigh could have been from flopping into it.

Poor dude. Jeez. I can't even, don't WANT to even imagine someone could do something like this to a dog.

Pretty much exactly what I was thinking. The spot on his thigh covers the exactly/entire surface area that is touching the ground if he shifts weight to that side (which he does often) while sitting.

Something appears to have been poured on him, and then he SAT in it. It makes me sick to my stomach. He's so SWEET and HAPPY. How could anything do this and not care about the reaction and noise that must have come from him?

 

[CharlieDog]

Also, sulfadine is AMAZING STUFF for burns. My sister got third degree burns from being in the sun for like, 16 hours with no sunblock, and they had to put that on nearly her entire back. It healed up amazingly quickly, and with no scarring from it.

 

[DJEtzel]

Also, sulfadine is AMAZING STUFF for burns. My sister got third degree burns from being in the sun for like, 16 hours with no sunblock, and they had to put that on nearly her entire back. It healed up amazingly quickly, and with no scarring from it.

That is great to hear! I'm supposed to be putting it on BID, but I don't know if this jar will last until Saturday. :-/ it's a big jar, but he has a lot of area, too... I'm gonna take it light on the morning application and put a better coat on at night to set in all night to make it last. The baths should help too- he was so itchy earlier he was on his back on the floor scratching/rolling around. Glad it didn't hurt him though!

It would be awesome/a miracle if he didn't scar... Even better if his hair grew back!