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Post by kjphoto on Jun 1, 2015 10:20:22 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. Its been a while since I've been on the forum. We got our little angel Ella about 2 years ago and after a long settling in period she has become the most lovely and much loved part of our family. Her confidence had really increased and recently even the cat had come round to her!
Unfortunately on the weekend she was attacked by a staffie in the park. He came barrelling over completely unprovoked and took a large bite out of her side. I wasn't there and haven't been allowed to see her since but my partner is completely traumatised. It hopefully seems to be quite superficial but because of how thin their skin is she has lost a lot of skin and the vet needs to do a skin graft in the next few days to repair the huge damage.
I wondered if anyone else had been through this and how it went? The vet was planning to take some skin from her stomach to put on her side. I'm most worried about just getting her well but thre is a part of me (this might sound awful) that's worried about how that will work as the skin is SO SO different on her stomach (almost no fur, different markings... nipples). I can't tell if it's terrible vanity on my part but I just want her back exactly as before. There is an option to take it from elsewhere but perhaps I should just go with the first option they suggested?
I'm not sure what skin grafts are like, how long they take to heal, what I can expect. Any experience from anyone else would be appreciated.
Karla
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Post by laura2001 on Jun 1, 2015 11:38:21 GMT -5
Sorry but I I have no experience of this, but wanted to say I really hope Ella makes a full recovery both physically and mentally from this. What a horrendous thing to have happened, my thoughts are with you & hopefully omeone with experience will come along with advice. xx
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Post by kjphoto on Jun 1, 2015 12:04:11 GMT -5
Thanks Laura. I'm feeling so sad, angry and despondent about it all. Of course I'm concerned about her physically but as I'm feeling more confident she is going to pull through, i'm just worrying myself sick about how she is feeling mentally and scared we will have lost the happy bouncy girl that had emerged recently.
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Post by sharonhigh45 on Jun 1, 2015 12:48:56 GMT -5
Karla sorry no experience of this but just wanted to say I hope she comes through this awful experience okay and heals quickly and I hope that you will feel better in yourself as well soon, I can say that judging by some of the sad dogs that have been brought into the Gap over the years they seem to have a tremendous ability to heal and go forward to lead happy lives, I will also say that lots of love can work wonders, I hope that someone can give you advice, take care.
Shazxx
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Post by gazer on Jun 1, 2015 15:10:33 GMT -5
Hi, no experience of large wounds and skin grafts but there are folk on here that have, so hopefully someone will be along soon. As for the skin not 'matching' as such, I really wouldn't worry about that, as long as she heals well with no infection and the graft takes. She may look a little different after it's all done but she'll still be Ella and you'll love her all the same, also she won't give a stuff what she looks like.
All the very best for a quick and easy healing process for Ella.
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Post by Lisa on Jun 1, 2015 15:23:54 GMT -5
Skin grafts regularly fail sadly on hounds often granulation although slower is the best option backed up with antibiotics to protect against secondary infection. The most successful skin grafts I've seen is when the leg is actually stitched onto the stomach for a period whilst it starts to graft and grow. Sounds brutal and grim but it's not as bad as expected speak to your vet about it
Sent from my SM-G900F using proboards
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Post by samburns on Jun 1, 2015 17:37:04 GMT -5
Oh no Karla, your poor girl  No experience of skin grafts, we managed to avoid them when Dickie was attacked. I really really hope little Ella isn't set back by the attack Sending heaps of healing thoughts x |
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Post by kjphoto on Jun 2, 2015 0:40:58 GMT -5
Skin grafts regularly fail sadly on hounds often granulation although slower is the best option backed up with antibiotics to protect against secondary infection. The most successful skin grafts I've seen is when the leg is actually stitched onto the stomach for a period whilst it starts to graft and grow. Sounds brutal and grim but it's not as bad as expected speak to your vet about it Sent from my SM-G900F using proboards Leg on stomach? I can't quite imagine how it would work? I don't suppose it would for her as its her side and flank area rather than leg. I'll ask lots of questions though. Thanks for all the kind thoughts. |
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Post by Ted on Jun 2, 2015 11:01:29 GMT -5
Kelly had to have a large wound on her side repaired but the vet managed to repair it without needing to do a skin graft. Mickey recently was attacked by a Staffie cross which our vets again managed to repair again without the need of a skin graft. Jagger my first Greyhound was attacked by a full male GSD but again they were able to repair the damaged as the skin was still attached at one point.
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Post by samburns on Jun 3, 2015 12:08:05 GMT -5
How is Ella doing Karla? x
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Post by Flaperoo on Jun 4, 2015 13:05:45 GMT -5
How is Ella? I don't know what breed she is but agree with Lisa granulation with anti-biotics and manuka honey for sight hounds is probably the best option. How big is the wound site? One of my dogs recently took a HUGE bite of another. It looked a mess but six weeks later with the above as treatment he has made a complete recovery. Do you have any pictures? I hope angel Ella is ok  Maryxx |
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Post by kjphoto on Jun 4, 2015 15:02:32 GMT -5
Hi all, for those that asked Ella is a greyhound. She had her surgery today. They did do a skin graft. I do have trust In the surgeon that she wouldn't have done it unnecessarily but it was a huge wound. Probably 15 inches by 15 inches at least. I don't have any pictures as I haven't had the heart to take any the few times I've seen her. They didn't think there was enough skin to close the wound without one and I just wanted the solution most likely to get her back up and running as quickly as possible. She's been in all week having the wound cleaned and having antibiotics in preparation. Please all keep your fingers crossed that the graft works and she bounces back. I'll try feeding her manuka honey and see if that helps. What do you do - just add it to her food? Thanks everyone.
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Post by samburns on Jun 4, 2015 15:41:39 GMT -5
Everything crossed for Ella's speedy recovery x Get the highest grade Manuka you can afford ... it is expensive but fabulous stuff for aiding healing. Yes, you can add to her food  |
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Post by alexandsteve on Jun 4, 2015 15:44:52 GMT -5
Wow, a large area, really hope it heals well. Everything crossed xxx
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Post by brooke1 on Jun 5, 2015 1:43:14 GMT -5
Just wanted to send healing thoughts to Ella -hopr she's on the mend soon x
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