5-year old, 15.8 # (4.2 kg), male(neutered), Standard Dachshund
History: Indoor dog. Dog escaped from the house and went into the woods. The owner's son heard the patient yelp. A short time later the owner found the patient in the ditch by the road and he didn't want to move. Owner went to retrieve the dog and noticed the blood on his chest, and eventually found the end of a stick protruding from the chest
Clinical Exam: Patient bright, alert, and responsive. No increased respiratory effort or respiratory rate. Found the end of a 3/8 inch diameter stick protruding from left pectoral (chest) region. Patient is not able to place weight on left front leg.
Diagnostic Findings: Radiographs show that the stick is lodged under the scapula (shoulder blade) along the chest wall, but cannot say that it has not penetrated the chest wall.
Treatment: IV fluids during procedure, patient placed under general anesthesia and vitals monitored, site prepped. The stick was removed carefully in one piece, without any significant bleeding seen. A 1/4 inch drain was placed to allow the wound to drain. The wound was then flushed several times with a dilute Novalsan solution, then the drain was secured with a suture. a bandage consisting of 3x3 gauze, cast padding, and a mesh stockinette was then placed over the wound to catch any drainage that will occur. The patient was given an IV antibiotic injection as well as an NSAID(Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) injection under skin, and then sent home with oral medications discussed below.
Patient Recommendations: Limited activity to crate rest and short leash walks for the first 3 to 5 days then a gradual return to regular activity as able. An e collar was placed to keep patient from licking an/or chewing on the bandage. The drain will need to be kept clean and the 3x3 gauze replaced frequently as needed to keep dry. Oral medications that were sent home with patient were Clavamox (antibiotic) and Metacam (NSAID). The patient was scheduled for a recheck 3 days after surgery for drain removal, and then in 3 weeks for suture removal.
History: Indoor dog. Dog escaped from the house and went into the woods. The owner's son heard the patient yelp. A short time later the owner found the patient in the ditch by the road and he didn't want to move. Owner went to retrieve the dog and noticed the blood on his chest, and eventually found the end of a stick protruding from the chest
Clinical Exam: Patient bright, alert, and responsive. No increased respiratory effort or respiratory rate. Found the end of a 3/8 inch diameter stick protruding from left pectoral (chest) region. Patient is not able to place weight on left front leg.
Diagnostic Findings: Radiographs show that the stick is lodged under the scapula (shoulder blade) along the chest wall, but cannot say that it has not penetrated the chest wall.
Treatment: IV fluids during procedure, patient placed under general anesthesia and vitals monitored, site prepped. The stick was removed carefully in one piece, without any significant bleeding seen. A 1/4 inch drain was placed to allow the wound to drain. The wound was then flushed several times with a dilute Novalsan solution, then the drain was secured with a suture. a bandage consisting of 3x3 gauze, cast padding, and a mesh stockinette was then placed over the wound to catch any drainage that will occur. The patient was given an IV antibiotic injection as well as an NSAID(Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) injection under skin, and then sent home with oral medications discussed below.
Patient Recommendations: Limited activity to crate rest and short leash walks for the first 3 to 5 days then a gradual return to regular activity as able. An e collar was placed to keep patient from licking an/or chewing on the bandage. The drain will need to be kept clean and the 3x3 gauze replaced frequently as needed to keep dry. Oral medications that were sent home with patient were Clavamox (antibiotic) and Metacam (NSAID). The patient was scheduled for a recheck 3 days after surgery for drain removal, and then in 3 weeks for suture removal.
