It’s been a few days. And they’ve definitely has their ups and downs. Last Thursday, we went to the oncologist to check Winnie’s progress before we started chemo. By Friday night, she had completely destroyed her skin around the incision. It was a mess. What’s crazy about it is that the worst damage was about 2 inches below the incision. When I got home from work, we went straight to the vet. The good news? She didn’t open the incision. But she did really gnaw at a spot about 2 inches below the incision. And here’s where the opinions come in….
1. Urget care vet says it’s phantom pain and we’re back on the gabapentin.
2. Surgeon says he’s never…ever…seen anything like this so far out from surgery.
3. Oncologist thinks is might just be a sensation from the other sutures underneath. Or, she’s anxious back on the gabapentin. In other words, she doesn’t like being drugged.
And I’m thinking it might be what happened when she was bored and left to her own devices for so long. (It was the first time I left her alone all day without the donut).
Meanwhile, she’s been panting like a madwoman all night tonight. Can’t get her to sleep or calm down. What is it? Anxiety? Pain? Getting attention? I am so lost. And every now and then, she pants really hard and whines. VERY unlike her. She’s the most stoic dog I know.
I’m lost. Feel like I can’t read her. And we’ve been at this for so long. Just sitting here trying to decide if I should take her back to the vet.
Like every said…it’s a journey. I have so many other things I’ve learned like living the moment. But right now, I just need her to calm down.
Hmmmmm…strange trip indeed! HOWEVER…”strange” becomes “less strange” the first two to three weeks of recovery!
I KNOW this is “unsettling” to say the least. I guess the somewhat “good” news is that’ other than this issue’ she’s doing well, right?
Winnie’s getting around okay? Eating? Drinking? Pooping? Peeing? Not showing any significant signs of pain prior to this in the last couple of days?
The panting’ restlessness definitely could be signs of pain, as well as the gnawing t the site.
There have indeed been situations where surtures have pressed on a nerve and caused pain and chewing! In one case, tne stitches were out and the dog started showing signs a d pain, gnawng, etc. fr weeks! It was finall dkscovered that a “rogje” stitch was left in.
How much Gabapentn is Winnie ? Did the gaba seem to help at all prior to the panting, etc?
How ’bout posting this under “Ask A Vet” a d maybe others will chime in. And no, I don’t think she’s doing this for atte tion! Something’s hurting her in that area and no one seems to be giving you a solution! Although Gaba may help, it doesn’t really identify the cause.
Reallh sorry you’re having ths extra stress. I do know kg was tnree weeks post amp. before I finally started to breathe a sigh f relief and see her sparkle start to come back consistently.
I’ll keep checking back here t see how you’re doing tonight. This is just a temporary bump in the recovery process so ha g there! You are doing great! REALLY!
We’re right by your side, okay?
Sending lots of hugs and love!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Ohhh Winnie! What the heck, that IS a long time to be messing with your incision. I hope that the gabapentin helps, I’m glad your vet is forward-thinking when it comes to medications.
As for the panting and whining…boy I wish I could be of some help there. When a dog does that it’s usually a sign of pain (or too much pain medication. But Gaba usually doesn’t do that (tramadol often does). I’m wondering if there’s a suture reaction going on underneath the skin and that’s bothering her? Is there any sign of infection?
Lotsa hugs coming your way, I know it’s hard to see our heroes in such difficult circumstances.
Oh Alibetty and Winnie, hope today is a better one? How is the incision and below looking? When does she have Chemo? Indi had first chemo last week and it went much, much better than I expected, she came home and was really hungry!! Her brother was more stressed at the fact she came back smelling of the vets again!!
Really hope you both have a better day today ……. Keep us updated , hugs for you both xxxx