Has the Vet cultured this? If not, maybe they need to and a different antibiotic needs to be used. I know, in people, sometimes these can take a long time to heal and often have to be left open to drain. I'm stumped too
Sorry, forgot to mention her antibiotic treatment. She has definitely been on antibiotics. Since she returned home on the 1st of April I've had her on a couple different kinds, the second a stronger antibiotic (do not have the name but will get it when I get home).
Currently, she has had her stitches removed and it seems to be healing nicely... minus the fluid that is still leaking (i have to change the bandage once a day). It doesn't smell or anything, it just seems like the fluid should have stopped by now. I have been applying betadine and a sterile gauze and bandage each time I change her dressing.
We were at the vet last Friday to have her stitches removed and they said everything looked okay, but I feel as though there was an implied "considering". I will be taking her back in for a check up on Saturday.
I know she is 13 but she is really healthy for her age.. has great energy and has never had any health problems. Each physical she has had, the vet mentions how strong her heart and immune system is. Is it possible that the dog that attacked her had some infection or disease? My dog was obviously vaccinated (to fly) but I'm just wondering if that may be a reason this is such a long process.
I will update as I find out more. Thank you for your comments and concern!!
I also can't imagine why this is not healing. But you didn't mention antibiotic treatment...has she had that?
Some abscesses, particularly from puncture wounds can be complex. They can go deeper than they appear. And in such a case there is a surface abscess with a deeper one, with a channel in between, linking them. Sometimes the surface abscess is drained but the deeper one is still there.
...But even that doesn't quite make sense as she has had surgery to remove it -so the vet would presumably have noticed if hat was the case. I don't know.
Sometimes when a bacteria is antibiotic-resistant, Tincture of "Echinacea Angustifolia" will work. This is herbal. Generally safe for dogs unless the dog has auto-immune disease.
Don't use a neck collar (obviously) right now, use a body-harness instead.
Wow, I have no idea. Have they cultured it and is the right antibiotic being used or maybe a combo?