Sparky's jaw

[RipSpark]

I also wanted to get some opinions on Sparky's jaw. Some of you may remember what we went through last October, when he ripped his jaw open and broke it. The vet said it could drain for up to a year. Which it has been doing, but recently it has been draining a bit more puss. I put him on smz's and I had the vet out. He said keep on the smz's and radiographs would be up to me. The bone has calcified, but other then that it isn't swollen or hot. I tend to air on the side of caution and would like to do the radiographs to see how things are going in there, but I also just finished paying off his huge medical bill and I don't want to run around getting radiographs if they aren't needed. I am a little worried because I am going to be leaving for two weeks for the wedding. He is my baby and I worry about him all the time.

[Beausgirl]

So - what would the xrays show you that might put your mind at ease? What else did the vet say? Is the additional draining normal? I think if i were you I would call my vet again - explain that you are going away and you're worried about leaving him...Sorry! Don't know what else to say!

[natisha]

X-rays could tell you if there is necrosis or infection in the bone. Something is infected if there is pus draining out. If there is no surface swelling or heat it has to be from something deeper. Possibly an I&D (incision & drainage) may be in order or at least a wound culture to see what organism is growing. It may be something resistant to SMZ's. I would demand more aggressive treatment.

[TLC97]

I tend to be the type who rather waste the money and know, that try to save and have a bigger problem later on.

I agree that draining is one thing, puss is another. Talk with your vet and do the x-rays. JMHO

[RipSpark]

I was worried about a bone fragement still in there causing it to not heal or something else causing the puss. The vet basically said radiographs wouldn't be a bad idea to see how things are healing but since there is no heat or swelling he doesn't think they are necessary. unless I want them done. The vet who did the surgery said there could be drainage for up to a year but he didn't say if this would be normal for it to be a little more like puss. I don't know if I would be able to talk to the vet who did Sparky's surgery and to be honest I doubt he would even remember.

[natisha]

I was worried about a bone fragement still in there causing it to not heal or something else causing the puss. The vet basically said radiographs wouldn't be a bad idea to see how things are healing but since there is no heat or swelling he doesn't think they are necessary. unless I want them done. The vet who did the surgery said there could be drainage for up to a year but he didn't say if this would be normal for it to be a little more like puss. I don't know if I would be able to talk to the vet who did Sparky's surgery and to be honest I doubt he would even remember.
He may not remember but he will have records to refresh his memory. Yes, something is causing the pus. If it is the bone eroding it should be addressed ASAP.