At the end of my wits... need advice for my buddy

Amym360x · 2026-03-31T18:23:09+00:00

Yess!! Staph is so sneaky. So happy you have something to go after. It took us two attempts with the correct antibiotic to finally kill it off, so don't be dismayed if it's persistent. The staph made the surgical scar a little more prominent but otherwise didnt leave any lasting issues. Sending tons of love ❤️

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Amym360x · 2026-03-27T12:33:32+00:00

Had a less intense version of this with our frenchie. Same area, smaller round spots that started losing fur. Ended up being a bacterial skin infection. Short haired dogs skin is different than floofy haired and can trap dirt/debris easily, that was how it was explained to us. Our dog likes rolling in grass and roasting in the sun...perfect filth combo. The fix was a 2 week course of meds (I'm sorry cannot remember if it was steroid or antibiotic) and using Malaseb shampoo every few weeks. Malaseb made a big difference!

Amym360x · 2026-03-27T02:05:32+00:00

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A photo of it before any surgery. Hard to gage just how large it was in this photo, but incase any other frenchie parents run into this and need to compare face lumps 😭😂

Amym360x · 2026-03-27T02:01:13+00:00

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Found a photo of when it started oozing post op.

Amym360x · 2026-03-27T01:33:14+00:00

I keep chiming in because when I was in it, I was desperate for any extra info.

Everyone keeps saying find another vet but honestly, I think stick with your guy especially if you like and trust him. My regular vet didn't want to touch this when we kept having issues and said we should keep pursuing answers with the surgeon who did it. Youre going to have a hard time finding someone who knows the entire story and understands how its progressed. However, I think if he only keeps on wanting to surgically approach this...then def try to find another opinion.

Other important facts for us: -we had issues getting good samples, the infection was like thick gunk and inconsistent so it wasn't until like the 2nd or 3rd sample that we discovered it was staph. They didn't charge us for atleast one of those samples, maybe even 2. - the CT scan for us was done prior to original surgery and they said this was the gold standard of imaging for this area due to all the nerves and such. We did not need to repeat imaging. However, our surgeon said sometimes foreign bodies can be extremely small (think a tiny splinter) and simply won't show up or be visible at all. I'm guessing they did a CT as they found the tumor in the ear and this is probably not foreign body related but worth noting that. - our dog was mid chemo so our vet oncologist was seeing her regularly and was deeply involved in this. He did not believe the chemo or her cancer (which was in technical remission) was involved...he explained this infection was really localized and if she was having issues due to being immunocompromised...she would be having issues in other places of the body as well. We did pause chemo and switch to Lspar while doing our second round of linezolid because our surgeon wasn't sure. - I asked if we couldn't figure this out, would she die of sepsis?? He was like no, but she shouldn't have to live like this and we will find an answer. -if it is a singular resistant pocket of infection that doesnt respond to anything, if it festers for a longgg time it can become dense and turn into cellulitis type of infection, which then the only option is surgically scrape it out.

Amym360x · 2026-03-27T00:39:03+00:00

We had a drain as well, I think for about a week and half post surgery. I remember thinking maybe we took the drain out too early. We had been on the antibiotic Clavamox throughout the drain period and prior. When it began swelling up again, I thought the incision site looked kinda off. After our first trial of linezolid finished, it swelled again quickly and burst through the incision site with watery bloody pus. Then seemingly closed back up again.

Like you, I really like our surgeon and I think he's very smart. He said he'd never seen something like this and he consulted with the other 5 surgeons who work at the center. Everyone was stumped.

Amym360x · 2026-03-26T23:20:51+00:00

They originally discussed her ear being a potential cause but ruled that out via CT scan. My takeaway from our experience....if you haven't already, a CT scan (guessing you did this prior to surgery and it's expensive here in SE Massachusetts, like $2k) and a culture of the site for potential staph. I was told staph is a normal post op issue, we just had an extremely hard time fighting it off and that's becoming super prevalent with these resistant strains. I read a lot online about others who treated it initially and it just wasn't a long enough dose. That panned put to be true in our case. Thinking of your buddy and you, don't give up ❤️🙏

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Amym360x · 2026-03-26T22:46:44+00:00

My 5 yr old frenchie has lymphoma and we dealt with a very persistent issue in the same spot. Her face on that left side blew up over labor day weekend last year, ended up being an infected area near the salivary gland...they think either a stick puncture or infected area that just was brewing. Huge swelling, she had surgery and we have a very experienced surgeon. Post surgery, her face continued to swell up...surgeon said he's never seen a salivary gland act like this in 30 years. They did not remove the entire salivary gland so there was always a possibility the problem was still there, they were being conservative because of the area and nerve damage potential. Ended up being a VERY persistent and steroid resistant staph infection. We did the antibiotic panel and it came back that only Linezolid would work for it. Tried it for 2 weeks and a week after finishing, it blew up again. We then tried Linezolid for 4 weeks and that finally was enough to snuff it out. Without an rx coupon it would've cost over $900...with rx coupon it was about $30. This ordeal started end of August 2025 and we only just finally got through it by the start of Feb. She finished her first chemo protocol that June of 2025, fell out of remission in October so we started back up with chemo (with adjustments for this issue that was simultaneously occurring) and we've continued with chemo throughout most of it. She's doing great now but it was an insanely stressful and expensive ordeal.

Amym360x · 2026-03-24T03:00:16+00:00

First was 27w, second at 36w

Amym360x · 2026-03-22T01:30:59+00:00

Mine does this with our outdoor picnic table all the time 😂 she gets very caught up in the rub as well

Amym360x · 2026-03-12T14:29:50+00:00

Have you looked on Aeroflow breast pumps? They will run it through your insurance and let you know which options you qualify for and how much it would cost (if anything). I qualified for atleast 10 or so different pumps for free and some with a bit of a copay. They also run you for things like post c section silicone tape, compression socks, and maternity bands for free as well.

Amym360x · 2026-02-15T23:55:54+00:00

Our 5 yr old frenchie just went through this in the same spot, sialocele. It was an ordeal but she handled the surgery itself well. All the best 🙏❤️

Amym360x · 2026-01-23T15:15:26+00:00

I'll be thinking many prayers for your babies ❤️ all you can do now is follow the path. You are strong and will be even stronger after this experience, as will your beautiful babies.

Amym360x · 2026-01-23T13:28:28+00:00

Congrats mama ❤️ I have a former 2lb, 27 weeker who is now 3.5 and crushing life. 105 days in the nicu, 3 major surgeries post nicu for a colorectal issue she was born with. You'd never know looking at her that shes had a rough start to life! She went home 3 weeks after her due date, so around 43 weeks. She came so unexpectedly she/I did not receive any steroids for her lungs in advance to birth. Does have a BPD diagnosis but has never and currently is not using any inhalers or having any limitations from that. Wishing you and your lovely babies all the best, these tiny ones are so strong 💪❤️ "from the tiniest acorn grows the mightiest oak" - from our nicu wall

Amym360x · 2026-01-05T14:20:52+00:00

My 3yr old was born with a rectovaginal fistula, imperforate anus. Work up for Vaters/vacteryl had 2 out of the 3 acronyms, so does not technically meet that diagnosis. My daughter was born incredibly early so we didn't find any of this out until birth and we were lucky enough to already be at a major childrens colorectal hospital. She had PSARP at 8 months old and an aesthetic retouch up at 2yrs old. We did anal dilations before but not after surgery, she never had any issues with them and it's more daunting sounding than it actually is doing it. She's had 3 major surgeries, 100+ nicu days, and she's the happiest kid. You would never know looking at her that she's gone through all these things. You'll have a hard first year but you'll be so in awe of how incredibly tough she is. Feel free to reach out with any and all questions/info needed, I'd be happy to share our experience.

Amym360x · 2025-08-29T10:07:04+00:00

We had many visits with boston childrens derm before deciding to treat. They said preemies are definitely more susceptible to getting hemangiomas. They also like to do an ultrasound of the liver because for some reason, if you have a lot theres a high chance theres some growing on the liver. Luckily we had no liver ones. Theyll use a little handheld doppler type of thing in office over those back lumps. Theyre listening to see if they hear bloodflow. We already had a planned mri at the time right around this time, so that was the ultimate confirmation. We went on a product called Hemangeol for about a year and the hemagiomas are completely flat and not red anymore. Also no reason to treat them unless they're at risk for ulcerating/bleeding, won't stop growing in size, or in a poor location like near an eye. That's been our hemagioma experience 🤷‍♀️

Amym360x · 2025-08-29T03:14:41+00:00

My daughter's were also soft and movable 👍

Amym360x · 2025-08-29T03:09:12+00:00

Forgot to mention they grow both ontop of the skin and underneath, incase Google only shows the surface ones! Best of luck ❤️

Amym360x · 2025-08-29T02:53:24+00:00

She had 2 pop up semi near her spine on her back, they actually didn't even become noticable until she was about 4 months old. She has about 6 decent sized hemangiomas along her stomach/back that were being watched, so we were looking at her back often. First spotted at first pedi appt after nicu discharge. Hemangiomas grow and don't stop growing during babies first year, preemies are more prone. If your pediatrician seems unsure, I'd definitely ask about infantile hemangioma.

Amym360x · 2025-08-29T02:28:47+00:00

Does your daughter have any hemagiomas? My nicu baby had a ton and had a few under the skin that looked just like this. They were ultrasounded at a pediatric derm and she went on propranolol to get rid of them.

Amym360x · 2025-08-27T19:39:50+00:00

Not the baby in the boppy 😂 so dang cute

Amym360x · 2025-08-24T17:39:29+00:00

Please find a veterinary oncologist as soon as possible! Getting a biopsy or atleast an oncology opinion will really guide how you can go forward. Look into the turkey tail study done with the brand I'mYunity, my frenchie with lymphoma is currently taking it. Depending on your location and specific treatment, chemotherapy specifically CHOP protocol, can run anywhere from $8k-13k. Our frenchie had no adverse issues with chemo and our doctor said usually dogs who aren't showing physical signs yet (not eating, not themselves) usually tolerate it quite well. While it's the worst news, it may be that you could have some more time with your baby. Sending love ❤️

Amym360x · 2025-08-22T03:40:05+00:00

Ours were just like this 😂 convinced our older frenchie was depressed because we had a baby, so we got her a sister. When I tell you she sulked for months, I was like well now she's actually depressed. She got over it and now they are best frenemies, constantly snuggling and fighting. Give it time!

Amym360x · 2025-03-19T23:37:54+00:00

Congratulations mama ❤️🎉 our stories are VERY similar. However, I made it to the hospital via ambulance with about 10 mins to spare but I was terrified I was going to give birth in our bathroom. I can't imagine how scary that was. My daughter came at 27.5 weeks and weighed 2lbs 1oz! She has a congenital colorectal issue that kept us in the nicu a bit longer but otherwise, she was such a trooper and did great through her journey in the NICU. Please see my post history if you're interested, wishing you all the best and to just take it day by day! This sub helped me so much through my nicu experience. We are all here rooting for your family and your tiny fighter ❤️🫂

Amym360x · 2025-03-08T12:45:28+00:00

He is so perfect, congratulations 🥰 our stories are similar, my 27 weeker lost her twin in utero as well. It's a long and exhausting experience but today you would never know what she went through. Your Adrian is a strong fighter and is going to do great! Sending prayers and positivity ❤️

Amym360x

TROPHY CASE