Abscess care

GoodDog · 06-10-2008, 11:37 PM

Hello All,

My 9 week old pup developed an abscess on his cheek after receiving his first and only "correction" from his yellow lab sister for being a general pest (ie. biting ears and tail after numerous warnings.)

The vet tried an injection of antibiotic, but decided to drain the abscess after it continued to grow and threaten the jaw joint.

My pup now has a rubber shunt sewn into his cheek. It enters below his eye and exits at the jaw line. We have an ointment for the outside of the tube and an oral antibiotic.

My question is, do we need to do anything else to care for him during the next week? Can he still play outside? Should we keep him away from our lab? Has anyone else had a similar experience? His shunt comes out next week. Any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks!

**Burns** · 06-11-2008, 12:02 AM

If you can, it would be a good idea to flush the wound around the drain with a diluted antiseptic two to three times a day. We use dilute chlorhexidine solution and a 12mL curved tip syringe. You're vet can get you the solution and syringe and show you how to flush. If you can't flush the wound, warm compressing it two to three times a day will help keep the wound open, clean, and draining. Otherwise, just make sure you are giving him his antibiotics until the end of the course, and keep the wound clean. If the dogs are likely to scuffle, keep them separated.

Good luck!

thea2003 · 06-11-2008, 12:07 AM

Also make sure that the area around drainage tube does not dry up, so that it will continue to drain fluid.

tosca · 06-11-2008, 10:40 AM

Another thing that's helpful is to hot pack the wound area 2x/day. Use a wet washcloth that you microwave for maybe 30 seconds; should be warm, not too hot that you can't hold it. Hold it against the wound for a couple of minutes. That will help it drain.

GoodDog · 06-11-2008, 07:03 PM

Thanks for all the advice. The puppy is doing well. I swear that tube bothers me more than it bothers him. He doesn't seem to mind at all. I admit that I'm more than a little freaked out.

The puppy enjoys the warm compresses and we're working to keep the area moist and clean.

Thanks again for your help. I appreciate the support.

**Doberdog** · 06-11-2008, 07:35 PM

Poor little puppy. Please keep us updated on his progress. I have no advice to give other than don't let the tube accidently get pulled out before it drains completely. In humans we place tubes under ultrasound guidance and flush with sterile water, injecting then aspirating, expell the syringe contents, and do it all over till it drains clear, then the patient takes anitbiotics. Of course it would be hard to use Ultrasound guidance on a dogs face and I don't know how far Vets are prepared to go to drain an abscess. If you think about it, it is pretty much the same principle as Burns suggested only it would be with guidance. I can say if the tube quits draining, call your vet the same day. If it is clogged, they can flush it if you get there soon enough. If you wait too long they will have to insert a new one. Please keep us posted on your puppies progress.

I sure said a lot for having nothing to say. :-)

secretz · 06-11-2008, 07:40 PM

It'd be a good idea to keep your pup away from the lab atleast until the wound is healed and doesn't have a change to be ripped back open. You should keep an eye when your pup is outside, if there's anything that he could brush up against that'd aggrivate/rip it.