gsdog2 Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 If anyone could give advice/suggestions here, all will be gratefully accepted. A week ago my sons dog got a stick caught in the back of his throat (soft palate), so after a quick trip to vet and surgery to remove remnant splinters and AB's ($1800 in total ) he was home again on Monday. All was fine until yesterday (Sunday) when his neck started to swell and after another trip to vet he was in again for surgery this morning. This time though they made an incision on the outside to see if any fluid could be drained or remaining splinters to be found. Unfortunately there was nothing to be found, however to be cautious a drain was inserted (another $700 today ). My son has just phoned me concerned his dog might pull the drainage tube out and has sent me a photo of what it looks like. The poor dog has been sent home with 2 inches of drainage tube sticking out!!! It's so long it's bending in half when it catches on the Elisabethan collar, which he needs as he is trying to scratch at it. Is this the way drainage tubes are being inserted these days??? I'm not happy, but would like to know whether this is usual before ringing the vet tomorrow morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everythings Shiny Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 depends on the surgeon, and what they are trying to actually achieve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted September 20, 2010 Author Share Posted September 20, 2010 depends on the surgeon, and what they are trying to actually achieve This is it - I'm not sure. What would they be trying to achieve with such a long drainage tube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rysup Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 (edited) I think the drainage tubes on our Amstaff were pretty long....let me check the photos for you. ETA - Ok his stuck out about 1 inch each end, roughly. Maybe trim them back a bit, they dont need to be THAT long surely? Edited September 20, 2010 by Rysup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everythings Shiny Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 (edited) God only knows. Different vets have different methods. We have six vets at my practice, each does almost everything a different way from the others. I'd definitely be sussing it out, there should be some sticking out but... it's hard to say without actually seeing it. Most of the vets here would have a short bit hanging out so it would drain well, but not enough to get all caught up (maybe an inchish???) Edited September 20, 2010 by Everythings Shiny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted September 20, 2010 Author Share Posted September 20, 2010 The purpose of the sugery today was to drain any possible fluid and/or remove any splinters that may have been left in wound. Unfortunately nothing was found so the vet debrided the area, inserted a drain and closed the wound with 2 inches of drain left hanging from the wound . I wouldn't have thought it needed to be that long either ;) . It seems to be more of a risk than a help at that length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rysup Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 If it was my dog, I would trim the tube back a little, especially if it rubs on the collar. Our boy didnt need a collar on, so it wasnt a problem for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everythings Shiny Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 By the sounds of it I'd be giving it a trim, but not too much as the drain will likely have to be pulled out before the stitches are due out (thats our SOP anyway). The collar would be to stop him scratching his stitches out mostly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted September 20, 2010 Author Share Posted September 20, 2010 By the sounds of it I'd be giving it a trim, but not too much as the drain will likely have to be pulled out before the stitches are due out (thats our SOP anyway).The collar would be to stop him scratching his stitches out mostly ;) Thanks for the quick reply ES and Rysup :p We'll look at possibly trimming the drain tomorrow morning - might give the vet a quick call first. The collar is to stop him getting at the stitches, but with so much drain sticking out it wouldn't take much for him to pull it out. Unfortunately he's developed quite a bad (all over) itch since this all started, and at 3 years of age he's NEVER scratched in his life!! Not sure what that's all about Rysup I hope your Amstaff's ok now :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 Scratching may just be due to stress if he hasn't worn an eliz collar before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted September 21, 2010 Author Share Posted September 21, 2010 Scratching may just be due to stress if he hasn't worn an eliz collar before. I'm thinking it's due to stress too, but maybe more the trauma of the whole ordeal as he was scratching before he started wearing the collar I rang the vet hospital this morning regarding the drain and apparently the vet told the nurse she left two inches of the drain sticking out because it would be more secure and easier to get at when they remove it I've had a look at the wound and drain this morning - the actual incision is about two inches from where the drain is. I think I would prefer they leave the drain the length it is, as it ensures the fluids leaking from the drain are not flowing back onto the wound (it's hanging away from his neck). When I mentioned this to the nurse she then proceeded to tell me that was the "other" reason it was so long - yeah sure!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everythings Shiny Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 The length makes sense, but the nurse doesn't, she should have said that from the begining lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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