|
The skin wound is stitched up under high tension. A
subcutaneous suturing and a need to get skin from the other
half of the breast to close the big wound of around 2 cm in
width. To the owner, the wound looks tight and firm after
surgery. (Note: Ligation of the caudal superficial epigastric
artery and vein is very important to prevent subcutaneous bleeding and
swelling. Ligation was in 3 areas to ensure no bleeding from this
spurting artery).
But the dog traumatises the wound by licking despite being
required to wear an Elizabeth collar and given the nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Tolfedine and antibiotics. She
will infect and stretch the wound through jumping and running inside
the apartment. The dog feels good and pain-free because she is on
pain-killers. So, the owner thinks that there should be no problem and
wants the dog home.
|
It is best that the mastectomy dog be warded
for at least 10 days to get proper nursing and wound
healing.
|
 |
If the wound is small, the
dog goes home on the day of the surgery. But in mastectomy
in this case, the wound is under high tension and may not
even heal well inside the Surgery. Few Singapore owners are
able to nurse the wound at home. |
|
The vet
will be wise to
reject the case if the owner is insistent on not
complying with advices to ward the dog for a few days. |
A big
hole in the dog due to wound breakdown is extremely painful
to the dog.
|
It is always unpleasant when
the owner comes back with a big wound breakdown and expects
free or cheap re-stitching under anaesthesia. |
|
TOA
PAYOH VETS
