[PyrNet-L] RE: pyrnet-l-digest.19990909

[Jack Mowery <jack.mowery@asc.mhmr.state.tx.us>]

Date:	Thu, 9 Sep 1999 21:29:13 -0400
From:	NDIROCCO@berkshire.net <mailto:NDIROCCO@berkshire.net> 
Subject:	[PyrNet-L] Re:????lesion
Yesterday, as I was brushing Molly I came across a 2" diameter  and about 1"
deep bump on the back of Molly's head.  By this morning, it had a small bit
of serous (blood colored clear liquid)  oozing from it, but nothing infected
looking.  Took her to the vet this afternoon, shaved down the area, and she
tried to needle aspirate it, but to no avail.  Gave her a couple shots of
antibiotics and she is going back in the morning when they will open it up
under anesthesia and see what could be causing it.  She did feel a bit warm
too touch but temp was only 102.
We just came back from cape cod , and thinking later on ,it could be one of
two things--- there are a load of wood ticks there and possiibly  one
burrowed in unchecked,  or it is a reaction to a spider bite,, of which
there were also plenty.

To me this sounds more like a spider bite.  Spider venom kills the tissues,
including nerve cells, in a slowly expanding circular area around the
original bite.  Infection follows.  Particularly insidious as there may be
little pain due to dead nerve cells.  Particularly serious as "dead-tissue"
infections follow.  These are the anaerobic infections like gangrene.  

Hate to be a panic monger, but better panic than malaise where our pups are
concerned.

Jack Mowery and Belle of the Amarillo Mountains