HELP- bleeding spay scar

[stacepaetzel]

Laila was spayed on Thursday and everything has been going well- she is acting her normal self very energetic. Today she was a little too active and we noticed a little bulge, then we noticed about an hour afterward a little blood- she was laying on her belly chewing a bone and it rubbed off on the carpet a little. It stopped bleeding for a while, then we noticed a little more. It's sunday night and our only choice is to take her to the emergency hospital which will probably cost over $1000. If this is what she needs we will gladly pay, but I'm just wondering if this can wait til the morning, she is sleeping now as usual. If I don't take her tonight, what should I do in the meantime? I am absolutely devastated and feel at fault for not keeping her more inactive. Please, please help me.

 

[boxers4life2001]

Hmmm, the two things that came to my mind are 1) she has developed alittle seroma (fluid/serum that builds up) this can happen if she is being to active. Most of the time they will go away on their own or if it get's real big sometimes they have to be drained. 2) she might be having a reaction to the suture they used which also can cause a seroma and alittle bulge. It kinda sounds like #1, since it seems to have happened after she was being to active. If the bleeding has stopped and if there was just a small amount she probably will be ok until you can see your vet tomorrow. I would have her checked out tomorrow though just to be safe. In the meantime, keep her calm / quite (easier said than done ) and you can try putting warm compresses on it to try to help. If it continues to bleed or gets heavier, I would go to the emergency clinic. Let us know how it goes!!!!

~Carrie~

 

[stacepaetzel]

Hi Carrie,

Thank you so much for responding. It is definitely a clear fluidy discharge. there was a little blood mixed in at first, but none now. Right now it looks a little wet around the scar, but it isn't really coming out anymore. She is sleeping now and will probably sleep through the night. I think it will be okay til morning when we can take her to her regular vet. Is their anything we should do in the meantime?

 

[Sabrina Jay]

She should be ok. I would agree with Carrie....it sounds like she has developed seroma. If she starts bleeding heavily, I would at least call the ER clinic for advise.

You can take a towel or receiving blanket, fold it over, and wrap it around her mid-section. Use duct tape (if you have it), and wrap that around the towel/receiving blanket. Be sure NOT to get the tape on her skin/hair though. This will apply pressure to the spay incision. You do need to keep her quiet. Confine her to a crate, or keep her leashed in your house when she is loose, or for outside potty breaks.

 

[stacepaetzel]

(excuse the typo on the word 'their' in the last message, I'm a little out of it right now!) Also, what I meant in the last message when I said what should we do in the meantime was... Do you think we should try to clean the wound or put any ointment (Neosporin or peroxide?) on it?

 

[stacepaetzel]

Thank you Sabrina Jay

I feel so much better just knowing someone has heard of this happening and has a term for it. Luckily, Laila is already asleep for the night, so I shouldn't have any trouble keeping her calm. I really appreciate you both taking the time to help me with this!

 

[VTbxrFan]

Any news on Laila this morning? I hope she's doing ok!

 

[WorkingMom]

I actually develope a Seroma from a surgical complication when I had a lump removed from my chest. It was NOT fun. The only reason I add this tidbit, is I learned that putting an ice pack on the area & applying pressure will help to keep the seroma from getting bigger.

There are 2 options for alleviating seroma: 1) Surgical - if it's bad enough, but there is risk of infection (which I had to do) or 2) Naturally - over time the body will naturally absorb the fluids (this can be helped by using warm compresses to stimulate blood & absorbtion.

I actually had to wait almost 3 days to get back in to surgery, doctor didn't want to work on the weekend (won't be going back to her). And mine was HUGE - so I understand your concern.

Hope this helps someone moving forward. The key is DEFINITELY staying as still as possible - which I know is hard for the furbabies.

Good luck to you & Laila!

 

[stacepaetzel]

Hi Everyone!

Laila is better today. The "blood" turned out to be more fluid than blood and it has stopped completely. She was in the crate today with her new chew toy, so she stayed still most of the day. I talked to my vets office this morning and they didn't seem alarmed and said just watch it for the next 24 hours and bring her in if it worsened. I may take her in tomorrow anyway for a quick look, but the bulge is really small now, just a little inflamed.
I don't think I would have made it through last night without hearing someone out there had heard of what she was going through. I really love this boxerworld community - It is just so great to have so many boxer friends out there!! Laila and I thank you all for your input and thoughtfulness!

On a lighter note...
VTBoxrFan... I noticed a post of yours a while ago and found it interesting b/c you are from Holly Springs, NC. I grew up in Ararat, VA just accross the border and I graduated from Virginia Tech (I thought maybe that's what the VT was for??) Sounds like we have several things in common