How sad, I never would have guessed a fever would have knocked him out. A tulip, how insulting!
Poor Moe!
I woke up yesterday morning around 5:30 to the sight of Moe standing in front of my bedroom door (he sleeps in the lazyboy downstairs). I figured he must really need to go out but I couldn't get him to follow me downstairs. He was too quiet and very disoriented. With a lot of coaxing, cajoling, and gentle tugging I finally got him downstairs and out the door. I watched as he made his way into the yard and then just sat down in the wet grass in the dark. I knew something was very wrong. I managed to get him back in and laying down. Then I just lay with him and cried. We just lost my father-in-law a couple days ago and if I lost Moe it would really be too much. He is my best friend and has helped me through many hard times. When it was light I called the vet and made an appointment, sure that something was terribly wrong. There was but but I'm not losing him anytime soon, thank goodness! It turned out that one of his cysts had become infected, resulting in a fever which explained his listless behavior. The vet drained some of the infection, inserted a drain, gave him an injection of anitbiotics, placed a large cone around his neck, and gave us some medication and special instructions. Then they clipped his nails, adding insult to injury. He looks like a bizarre sort of tulip as he wanders about the house and yard, getting caught on pieces of furniture and drawer handles. I think those collars are very difficult for a short dog to wear comfortably. 
The drain comes out on Monday, and a decision will have to be made about possible surgery, but my Moe will be with us for many years to come, God willing.
Question for Betsy: I seem to remember you mentioning having multiple cysts removed from one of your dogs. Moe has four large ones (Walnut size) and we are wondering if we should have tham all removed or only the one that is troubling him now. How did your dog do with the removal of multiple cysts? The most we ever had taken off Moe at one time was two. Also, in our case, whenever we had one removed, several others developed. Did this happen with you? I was curious if this was a common thing to occur.
Terry
The drain comes out on Monday, and a decision will have to be made about possible surgery, but my Moe will be with us for many years to come, God willing.Question for Betsy: I seem to remember you mentioning having multiple cysts removed from one of your dogs. Moe has four large ones (Walnut size) and we are wondering if we should have tham all removed or only the one that is troubling him now. How did your dog do with the removal of multiple cysts? The most we ever had taken off Moe at one time was two. Also, in our case, whenever we had one removed, several others developed. Did this happen with you? I was curious if this was a common thing to occur.
Terry
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Terry,
My Toby had about 20 out during one surgery. Not all were removed
then as my vet didn't want to keep him under anesthesia any longer. He had a bunch more removed a few months later.
Other than looking like a patchwork quilt, he really did just fine. He had to have been about 7 at the time because I showed him in Veterans.
No infections, didn't need an Elizabethian collar (none of my dogs have ever needed one}. My vet must use sutures that taste terrible. He had so many that I took a sketch of a basset outline and marked where the cysts were found. I also used red nail polish to mark them so the tech could quickly shave them all before going into surgery.
Boy don't they act like they're on deaths door when they have a fever? Hope Moe doesn't need surgery but sometimes these cysts just keep coming back.
My Toby had about 20 out during one surgery. Not all were removed
then as my vet didn't want to keep him under anesthesia any longer. He had a bunch more removed a few months later.
Other than looking like a patchwork quilt, he really did just fine. He had to have been about 7 at the time because I showed him in Veterans.
No infections, didn't need an Elizabethian collar (none of my dogs have ever needed one}. My vet must use sutures that taste terrible.
He had so many that I took a sketch of a basset outline and marked where the cysts were found. I also used red nail polish to mark them so the tech could quickly shave them all before going into surgery.Boy don't they act like they're on deaths door when they have a fever? Hope Moe doesn't need surgery but sometimes these cysts just keep coming back.
AWWWW, poor Moe. give him lots of TLC.
Sandy
Sandy
Thanks for all your suggestions and support.
Mike, Moe's wound is right smack in the middle of his left side. He can reach it easily with his mouth, which makes it difficult to prevent licking and/or chewing. The vet put in what she called a drain, which looks like a bit of thin shoelace threaded through the cyst and tied in a knot. Infected goo is continuously oozing out and he desperately wants to lick at it. I apply hot compresses to it three times a day which appears to aid in draining and helps keep it clean. It also seemingly eases his discomfort. I don't know if I can use a T-shirt at this point, partly because of the oozing mess and partly because I don't think it would stop him from chewing and pulling on the drain-thingy. Perhaps after it's removed on Monday I could use a T-shirt? Either way I'm calling the vet tomorrow morning to run the idea past her. Poor Moe is looking very depressed and won't eat his dinner tonight.
I'm trying not to read too much into his poor dejected look - it is, after all, how he looks ALL the time...
Terry
[ February 17, 2006, 08:52 PM: Message edited by: Terry ]
Mike, Moe's wound is right smack in the middle of his left side. He can reach it easily with his mouth, which makes it difficult to prevent licking and/or chewing. The vet put in what she called a drain, which looks like a bit of thin shoelace threaded through the cyst and tied in a knot. Infected goo is continuously oozing out and he desperately wants to lick at it. I apply hot compresses to it three times a day which appears to aid in draining and helps keep it clean. It also seemingly eases his discomfort. I don't know if I can use a T-shirt at this point, partly because of the oozing mess and partly because I don't think it would stop him from chewing and pulling on the drain-thingy. Perhaps after it's removed on Monday I could use a T-shirt? Either way I'm calling the vet tomorrow morning to run the idea past her. Poor Moe is looking very depressed and won't eat his dinner tonight.
I'm trying not to read too much into his poor dejected look - it is, after all, how he looks ALL the time...
Terry
[ February 17, 2006, 08:52 PM: Message edited by: Terry ]
Sorry to join the discussion late, and sorry to hear about Moe.
G
What a rough time 4 you now. Sorry to hear what all Moe is going thru. I keep waiting (in fear) 4 the time comes if Tummy gets these. Lots of drool coming your way 4 Moe and U. Sorry for your loss. Happy to be a slave for Tummy Boy.
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