Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 8/17/2008

Question
My Springer Spaniel had a lump removed from her shoulder 2 weeks ago (4th Aug). The lump was just fatty tissue (thank goodness). She has developed a seroma along the wound site and when the stitches were removed one week ago the wound burst open (whilst the vet was demonstrating how to massage the seroma). They put staples in to close the wound again and have parially drained it twice since. Yesterday a pressure bandage was applied (not sure how effective a shoulder difficult area) but it is getting bigger, red and hard. It is the size of a small adult fist. She has been given antibiotics and we have been told not to walk her. Is there anything else I can do - should I take her to a different vets ?

Answer
Allison -

The seroma should correct within a few days.  Since a lump was removed from that area, the body is trying to fill in the space left from the growth removal.  The body does that by replacing that space with blood and other types of fluid.   Leave the area alone, let it drain and soon it will be back to normal.  There is absolutely no reason to do anything elso to the seroma; it will eventually go away with time.  

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM