Things seem to be going wrong for poor old Bones. Today he had to go back to the vet (yet again), this time because a really horrible weeping boil-like lump has come up on his foot. It doesnt seem to be bothering him though, and doesnt affect his walking, as it is on the side of his foot, not under the pad. He is not licking it or fussing at it, and seems perfectly happy. Anti-biotics again to combat the infection, though the vet says it is some kind of growth. Honestly, I spend more time and money at the vet these days... I guess it's the 80 / 20 rule - 80% of vet bills come in the last 20% of dog life... I know we're getting close to the end with the old boy . But he still seems so happy - doubly so today, because my son came home after months in America. What a happy homecoming for him and Bones it was!!! They were so delighted to see each other... Very very touching.
Re: Lump on foot Poor old Bones. We're thinking of you all. Juno had a boil like lump on the side of a front foot that appeared out of nowhere, was gooey and horrible but scabbed and then callused over - once the oozing had stopped it didn't bother her and she had this odd lump for quite a few years. We've been vet regulars this year. This is the first week since late June that we've not set foot in surgery! It actually feels rather odd
Re: Lump on foot Poor Bones how lovely that he's had such a happy reunion though Hopefully more happy days to come!
Re: Lump on foot So sorry to hear about Bones poor foot, but he cheered right up when your son came home and probably won't notice his foot for a while - how wonderful. My eldest son Sean is 26 and has been in Australia for nearly 2 years and we miss him terribly and he has not had the pleasure of meeting Charlie. Wonder what he will make of him!!! Hope his foot gets better soon. Helen
Re: Lump on foot Thanks guys. And Juno's lump on the foot does sound similar... Perhaps it'll heal up ok. Yes, the reunion was wonderful... And Poppy climbed right up onto Marcus' lap and gave him kisses too, so they are all happy together!
Re: Lump on foot An update - turns out it's an infected sebaceous gland. It's looking much less red and angry (after two weeks of antibiotics), but is still quite big. Son is taking him back to the vet this afternoon, so fingers crossed. She did warn me this sort of thing can take a long time to heal and may even need to be removed surgically. Sigh...
Re: Lump on foot Oh lord - vet thinks the lump needs to be removed. But I am very dubious about it, with his heart and liver problems, and having just had three teeth removed a month ago... So it's more antibiotics, and keeping his foot as clean as possible. I really just want to keep him happy and comfortable until Christmas, when my daughter will be here... She wants to see him and cuddle him again. :-\
Re: Lump on foot Sounds like it's time to get the vetwrap out! Is it still oozing Karen? If so I'd be tempted to try to draw out the infection with something a bit like a poultice that you'd use on a horse. I've used a thick wad of lint with a huge dollop of germolene and then bandaged the whole lot up, we even have waterproof boots so the dog can go out without making the dressing soggy, checking and changing dressing daily until no more 'gunk'. This pulled nasty infected thistle spikes out of Maia's foot a few years ago so it might work on drawing the infection from the gland.
Re: Lump on foot Actually it's not oozing any more, but the vet says the white gunk is still in the lump, so you may be right with that idea. Thanks very much, I'll give it a go! xx
Re: Lump on foot I sympathise ! Riley's lump is still there above his eye after a course of oral antibiotics and halfway through a course of topical antibiotics. Can I wrap his head in vet wrap? ;D
Re: Lump on foot Really hoping that you can get this sorted Karen and that your dear old boy wont need surgery x
Re: Lump on foot Hope this gets sorted for you Karen. Poor old Bones... Barbara if you do wrap Riley's head, please please please post a picture!!
Re: Lump on foot The lump is looking so much better... Son is a paramedic, and has been squeezing the nasty white gunk out and dressing it... He is leaving for Nepal for three months today (volunteering in a mountain clinic, yikes!!!) - so I hope the healing process continues as well without him. The antibiotics are finished, and Bones is feeling GOOD healthwise, though depressed today at the sight of all the packing going on... He climbed on Son's bed and refused to get down this morning, poor old lad... They are very close.
Re: Lump on foot Thats really good news Karen , bless the old boy . How sad to picture him, watching your son prepare for his trek, sounds very ambitious but worthy too x
Re: Lump on foot That's good news, I'm glad the dressings worked. Good luck to your son off on his adventures, sounds very admirable.
Re: Lump on foot Now he has to be banished to a friend's house for three weeks, because Poppy has just come into heat...
Re: Lump on foot Update - Bones is still with our friends, having a lovely time. They sent me a photo of the lump on his foot, which is clearly healing over now, thank goodness: So looking forward to having him back! Next week some time.
Re: Lump on foot Karen, that looks just like the one on Juno's foot. Once healed it was lumpy but didn't bother her at all. Fingers crossed, Bones is the same.
Re: Lump on foot Thanks so much for that - it was partly your post regarding the lump on Juno's foot that convinced me not to have it surgically removed, so many thanks from Bones and me!
