Recovery Time?

AchillesMom · 12-14-2012, 10:22 AM

My poor boy, Achilles, had a Mast Cell Tumor removed from the back of his hind leg last Monday. It's a rather scary looking sight, as more then one incision needed to be made in order to allow the remaining skin in the area to stretch and move.

Just wondering if anyone else has any experience with this surgery? We've been taking Achilles back to the vet every two days to have the dressings changed. There are quite a lot of stitches, but the vet hasn't mentioned how long those need to stay in.

We are keeping him as immobile as we can - difficult task!

We're hoping for a speedy recovery, as he is just not a happy boy right now. They have to sedate him when they change his dressings. The dressings are actually woven into his skin with stitches!

Anyone with experience with the removal of MCTs?

Thanks!

sasasola · 12-14-2012, 10:30 AM

Oh poor baby! Sorry I don't have any experience with this but I hope he has a speedy recovery!

Mom2Titan · 12-14-2012, 11:18 AM

ouch!! no wonder they sedate him; we know too well how hard your task is to keep him immobile and quiet. Perhaps a couple of good chews ie nylabone, deer antler, Bully Sticks or stuffed Kongs while in his crate. Sending healing vibes

af_wx_wife · 12-14-2012, 12:32 PM

Awww...Hope he's all healed up quickly. I can only imagine how hard it is to try to keep a boxer from moving around. I know what it was like after having one spayed & that was hard work.

AchillesMom · 12-16-2012, 09:56 AM

So here is what his surgical site looked like on Friday:

Recovery Time?-imageuploadedbypg-free1355669494.902536.jpg

Yesterday, Achilles had the gauze removed! It appears to be drying up. He did lick it last night, which caused it to bleed. I think we'll have to put the cone on at night.

You can see the two incision sites in this pic. It is graphic. The large, open wound is there to allow the tumor site to be closed (the skin was too tight).

Recovery Time?-imageuploadedbypg-free1355669751.488749.jpg

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AchillesMom · 12-16-2012, 08:04 PM

Anyone have experience with this type if surgery (removal of lump and additional incision to allow for lump incision to be closed)?

We're taking Achilles every 2 days to the vet, and at this point they keep telling us that he shouldn't be mobile - whenever possible. He just wants to run and play!

I'm thinking the open wound will take the longest to heal.

It's been a week tomorrow since the surgery..,hoping Achilles continues to heal quickly! We're heading off to spend time with family next weekend and it would be great if Achilles can run and frolic with the other fur friends who will be there!

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boxerlove84 · 12-16-2012, 09:01 PM

Gabby is about to have a lump removed on her leg and they are concerned they will have an issue closing it as well. Her vet mentioned he may have to make little slit incisions near the main one to allow it to stretch and close.

Sounds like Achilles' recovery may be normal. Sorry.

Hope he feels better soon!

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Mom2Jax&Bay · 12-16-2012, 09:39 PM

My baylee had one removed and it scarred really really badly. However it healed rather quickly. She was on pain meds a day or two then pretty much normal. They removed the stitches at 2 weeks I believe. Good luck and I hope for clean margins!!

AchillesMom · 12-17-2012, 01:48 PM

Got some bad news today. Achilles needs a skin graph in order to ensure mobility in his leg. In addition, the pathology report came back and the margins weren't clean...the tumor will likely return.

We are so sad. More surgery brings a longer recovery time for our boy.

Rescuing a dog is a huge undertaking. You just never know what these poor darlings need.

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**GoudasMom** · 12-17-2012, 02:07 PM

Im so sorry you and Achilles are going through this. Has your Vet mentioned Benadryl and Tagamet? There has been some success with that combo for MCTs.

Have you considered any type of holistic therapies after he has healed from his surgery?

MCTs are notorious for having finger like tendrils off the main tumor so thats why a lot of times they cant get clean margins on certain tumors..its just not possible with some locations. I wish you and Achilles the best keep us posted!

12-14-2012, 10:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
AchillesMom Intermediate User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 71	Recovery Time? My poor boy, Achilles, had a Mast Cell Tumor removed from the back of his hind leg last Monday. It's a rather scary looking sight, as more then one incision needed to be made in order to allow the remaining skin in the area to stretch and move. Just wondering if anyone else has any experience with this surgery? We've been taking Achilles back to the vet every two days to have the dressings changed. There are quite a lot of stitches, but the vet hasn't mentioned how long those need to stay in. We are keeping him as immobile as we can - difficult task! We're hoping for a speedy recovery, as he is just not a happy boy right now. They have to sedate him when they change his dressings. The dressings are actually woven into his skin with stitches! Anyone with experience with the removal of MCTs? Thanks!

12-14-2012, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
sasasola Super User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 1,676	Oh poor baby! Sorry I don't have any experience with this but I hope he has a speedy recovery! __________________ Susy Mom to 2 beautiful daughters , Duke and Dusty

12-14-2012, 11:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mom2Titan BoxerForums Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Georgetown, Ontario Posts: 2,200	ouch!! no wonder they sedate him; we know too well how hard your task is to keep him immobile and quiet. Perhaps a couple of good chews ie nylabone, deer antler, Bully Sticks or stuffed Kongs while in his crate. Sending healing vibes __________________ Cindy - Mom to Titan & Kailer, Boxer, docked & floppy Mom to Rocky & Brody-Ragdoll boyz

12-14-2012, 12:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
af_wx_wife BoxerForums Addict Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,432	Awww...Hope he's all healed up quickly. I can only imagine how hard it is to try to keep a boxer from moving around. I know what it was like after having one spayed & that was hard work. __________________

12-16-2012, 09:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
AchillesMom Intermediate User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 71	So here is what his surgical site looked like on Friday: Yesterday, Achilles had the gauze removed! It appears to be drying up. He did lick it last night, which caused it to bleed. I think we'll have to put the cone on at night. You can see the two incision sites in this pic. It is graphic. The large, open wound is there to allow the tumor site to be closed (the skin was too tight). Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________

12-16-2012, 08:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
AchillesMom Intermediate User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 71	Anyone have experience with this type if surgery (removal of lump and additional incision to allow for lump incision to be closed)? We're taking Achilles every 2 days to the vet, and at this point they keep telling us that he shouldn't be mobile - whenever possible. He just wants to run and play! I'm thinking the open wound will take the longest to heal. It's been a week tomorrow since the surgery..,hoping Achilles continues to heal quickly! We're heading off to spend time with family next weekend and it would be great if Achilles can run and frolic with the other fur friends who will be there! Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________

12-16-2012, 09:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
boxerlove84 Advanced User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 916	Gabby is about to have a lump removed on her leg and they are concerned they will have an issue closing it as well. Her vet mentioned he may have to make little slit incisions near the main one to allow it to stretch and close. Sounds like Achilles' recovery may be normal. Sorry. Hope he feels better soon! Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________ Mom to Gabby, Maggie, and Benjamin.

12-16-2012, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mom2Jax&Bay BoxerForums Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: East Houston area Posts: 3,003	My baylee had one removed and it scarred really really badly. However it healed rather quickly. She was on pain meds a day or two then pretty much normal. They removed the stitches at 2 weeks I believe. Good luck and I hope for clean margins!! __________________ Owned by Jaxon- Flashy Fawn docked and natural 11/21/09 and Baylee- Fawn docked and cropped (kind of) 4/07/09 Rescue Lone Star Boxer Rescue volunteer since 2010

12-17-2012, 01:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
AchillesMom Intermediate User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 71	Got some bad news today. Achilles needs a skin graph in order to ensure mobility in his leg. In addition, the pathology report came back and the margins weren't clean...the tumor will likely return. We are so sad. More surgery brings a longer recovery time for our boy. Rescuing a dog is a huge undertaking. You just never know what these poor darlings need. Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________

12-17-2012, 02:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
GoudasMom Super Moderator Join Date: May 2011 Location: Duncan Oklahoma Posts: 1,817	Im so sorry you and Achilles are going through this. Has your Vet mentioned Benadryl and Tagamet? There has been some success with that combo for MCTs. Have you considered any type of holistic therapies after he has healed from his surgery? MCTs are notorious for having finger like tendrils off the main tumor so thats why a lot of times they cant get clean margins on certain tumors..its just not possible with some locations. I wish you and Achilles the best keep us posted! __________________ Gouda 9/6/01 - 7/19/12 Sue - Mom to Kippah rescued 8/19/12

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