Should I just have my dog get the surgery?

[belle111]

My 2 year old, 95lb shepherd has had a sore on the his ankle for a few weeks. size of just less than a quarter. He has licked the hair off and exposed pink skin. The vet says it's not an allergy, nor a bite, nor a tick, and questions whether it might be an old injury that just now started to fester, or perhaps a foreign object...he did say it was exceptionally deep...thick...not sure, but the culture came back and it is definitely a lot of white blood cells, a mass he says, which indicates infection. My pup has a coned collar on him now, and is depressed about it. He is being dificult about urinating and defecating...seems he can't get close enough to the ground to sniff, so he elects not to do his business. Drinking and eating, chewing are all difficult. I have made adjustments to the collar, but I can only loosen it so much, or he will pull it off.

The vet said 50-50% of doing surgery and was willing to perform today, or I can see how the simpilef and medrol work to handle the infection, and then see the vet in a week, at which time he still may need surgery.

What do I do??

Should I consider my pups discomfort and just get the surgery now and begin the healing process? ...or see if it heals on it's own, thereby taking the chance he might need surgery, thus more time with the collar, discomfort, eating, drinking, defecating issues prolonged...


First time dog owner, so I just don't know. If it was my cat, I would just have the surgery I guess...

What should I do?

All advise welcome!

I need to call the vet soon and let them know, so please hurry!

[Aescleah]

when dealing with infections i am of the belief if it can be treated with antibiotics thats the way to go but if that does not work yes surgery

Ashley

[mommyof4]

Did your vet mention anything abut a biopsy? I brought my sheperd mix in when he was about 2 for the same thing, just a small, scabby lesion. My vet biopsied it and it came up as cancerous. He had it removed and has been fine and cancer free now for 7 years. Good luck.

[Aescleah]

oops i forgot to say that in my above post i definatly agree

Ashley

[golden&hovawart]

I do believe in trying the antibiotics before rushing into surgery but it also depends on the infection!.I would give it a week and if not better than operate him!!.
Do you have a picture of the wound?.It might allow us, to make a more educated answer!.

[belle111]

with regards to a biopsy, he said that after it is removed he would send it to pathology and then see what in fact it was. I am leaning more and more to the surgery, only because of his discomfort level is quite high, and I want to limit the time. If he's going in for surgery tomorrow, should I just take the collar off now? The vet could get it back on when he's sedated. He really fought it , lips up and niping very hard at me, his primary owner. I never thought he would do that to me, but once the techs left the exam room and we were left alone, he gave it. He is so sad and depressed.

surgery then?

[belle111]

no picture. he protects it. I would be all for the meds, it's just that collar...its like the choice of him wearing it for a week or wearing it for two.

How well do dogs heal, how fast, from surgery?

[mommyof4]

Usually depends on the dog and how they react to anestesia. My 9 year old sheperd mix that had the cancer removed was fine when I went to go get him. I have another dog though that doesn't do as well under anesthetic and is out of it for a couple of days.

[rubyred]

I agree to first make sure it is not cancerous. Then if it can be treated with antibiotics I would go that route.

None of my dogs have ever had to wear the collar so I don't know how difficult it is to get it off and on, but isn't the main purpose for it to keep him from licking and biting this place on his leg? If so, couldn't you take it off when he goes out to potty so he can do his business. Maybe you could leave it off if you are going to be in the room with him and put it on when he is alone or you are busy?

[belle111]

without the collar he goes to lick it right away. Getting the collar back on might be near to impossible. I am with him all the time and even on a leash he fights to lick it.