Infection from inside leg piercing holes and pouring out of body

[AdamEl]

It first started in December with 1 hole infection that we thought was likely a tooth from one of our other rescues (we have 17 animals here in Peru) but it healed quick and fine. Then a few weeks ago a ball grew on the leg but gave it a shot of antibiotic and it’s mostly healed. Then Friday a new hole opened. Got cultures taken that take 6 days to come back. Then today a new hole opened. She’s suffering a lot. Before she came to me she was badly abused as a baby and had a poor operation with metal in her legs. The vets here think the infection is from the metal poles (inserted 2 or so years ago) and want to wait until the cultures come back in order to start proper medicines. Then once healed do surgery. Some say it's best to amputate the leg. I am concerned because it now appears to be progressing fast and even with pain medication she is showing severe discomfort. She is eating, drinking, and some play, nose a little wet, eyes good so overall good but often moving very frantically, circling, very clingy.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Thank you so much for your work with the rescues in Peru!

I'm sorry to hear about the kitty's leg.

she is showing severe discomfort.

Amputation should resolve the discomfort. Without waiting for the culture results.

And many cats jump just fine with three legs.

What say you cat vet @Dr. Jean Hofve ?

 

[AdamEl]

It's a dog but I'm feeling the same way about her bouncing back with 3 legs. However, do I just make the decision to remove a leg, is it truly that severe? Doc here says could take months to cure the infection and then maybe operate to save the leg which seems to be the route that he wants to go but he says even then leg may need to be amputated but if that's the case why would I put her through months of suffering?

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Agreed, even if it's a dog being a tripod is much better than months of suffering with no guarantee of a different result.