Sinus Issues - Surgery Needed

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I got a call last night from someone who has had a dog left with them to rehome by an elderly owner who cannot afford the necessary surgery.

This dog would be in a lot of pain but the carer wanted to find the dog a home before looking at the surgery. In my rescue experience, noone is going to take a dog on with an issue like this unless it's a rescue group.

The dog has abcesses just under its eyes, in its sinuses. The vet has already operated once and the abcesses came back so vet now advises bigger surgery is required.

Apparently it is an expensive and extensive surgery.

I've only had one dog with sinus issues previously and a scraping showed it was allergies so the dog went to a home away from the bush and was much better.

Apart from this, the dog's 100% ready to go, all vet work done but the question is whether it is best to put him to sleep or do something in the hope he can be rehomed. I hate to think of him suffering over the last few months (or years I'm not sure) due to the owner's lack of money.

[cj-b]

This is so sad

I hope someone can help out.

It must be so upsetting for her owner as well, must be heart breaking. I remember my nan, had a cat that needed extensive surgery, that as a pensioner she couldn't afford, so she had to put him to sleep, she was gutted.

I hope it's a different story for this little one and it's owner.

Fingers crossed you all.

[Erny]

Hi Dogmad.

What sort of dog? Age? etc.

And, if the surgery proved necessary, what expense?

What's the recovery period?

Why does is the abscess recurring?

Prognosis?

Has the dog had a second opinion?

Is it a specialist's opinion?

I don't think anyone can suggest one way or the other as there simply isn't enough info.

Edited August 8, 2010 by Erny

[Staff'n'Toller]

I would get a second opinion just to be sure it's not teeth.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Erny, according to owner, the dog is a 6 yr old male foxy/maltese cross although the carer had me confused because she said it is "a JRT". I asked for a photo.

I asked about the cost, the recovery etc and she didn't have any details. I will ask the PAWS vet about it.

Apparently there is a drain in the abcesses and it "just comes out" according to the carer but isn't healed so needs surgery. She's several hours away from me so not easy but I said you cannot rehome this dog in that condition nor can you leave him like that. He is definitely in a lot of pain. She said she'd go to her vet tomorrow and see what they think. I'm not hopeful, this person wasn't interested in me finding a foster carer but wants a perm home. Not easy.

Edited August 8, 2010 by dogmad

[Erny]

Erny, according to owner, the dog is a 6 yr old male foxy/maltese cross although the carer had me confused because she said it is "a JRT". I asked for a photo.

I asked about the cost, the recovery etc and she didn't have any details. I will ask the PAWS vet about it.

Apparently there is a drain in the abcesses and it "just comes out" according to the carer but isn't healed so needs surgery. She's several hours away from me so not easy but I said you cannot rehome this dog in that condition nor can you leave him like that. He is definitely in a lot of pain. She said she'd go to her vet tomorrow and see what they think. I'm not hopeful, this person wasn't interested in me finding a foster carer but wants a perm home. Not easy.

No - doesn't sound easy at all, and sounds very sad. There seems to be a fair amount that the carer doesn't know about this little dog, even down to what the surgery/treatment would cost.

PMing you Dogmad.

[stormie]

I would probably try to get more information on the actual cause of the infection. If it's something like Aspergillus it could be very difficult to treat.

Good luck!

[Rappie]

I would get a second opinion just to be sure it's not teeth.

I agree.

Under the eye is the most common location for a tooth root abscess to burst - usually related to the fourth upper premolar. It's not uncommon to see these bilaterally in small dogs due to peridontal disease or fractures of the tooth or enamel. They often do not respond completely to medical treatment and require the offending tooth to be removed.

For any disease of the sinuses, radiographs would be the initial step and might be follow by more specialised imaging, rhinoscopy or cultures.

[Erny]

For any disease of the sinuses, radiographs would be the initial step and might be follow by more specialised imaging, rhinoscopy or cultures.

Rappie - got some rough idea of what initial radiographs would cost?

[Rappie]

For any disease of the sinuses, radiographs would be the initial step and might be follow by more specialised imaging, rhinoscopy or cultures.

Rappie - got some rough idea of what initial radiographs would cost?

It will vary depending on the practice and location, but I would expect between $300 and $500. It would require a general anaesthetic.

[Erny]

Thanks Rappie.

Dogmad - At a guess, I'd be thinking that the Vet who performed the initial surgery might have already done xrays/radiographs? If so, would be worth getting hold of those if at all possible.

I know this doesn't help your initial issue - which is the fact that the carer won't allow you to help. But if she knows there are potential forever homes out there if only there is some idea of the cost involved with helping this little tyke, perhaps she'll come to the party at least in that respect, and assist in getting hold of past veterinary records or putting you in touch with the veterinary surgeon who performed the first surgery.