hematoma on dogs leg/nerve damage

Question
My 4 yr old male Klein german spitz was attacked Aug 17th while out on a walk.  Among his injuries he suffered terrible bruising to his rear right leg and hip area.  He developed a large hematoma on that hip and it has been drained twice so far, once 12 cc next time 7 cc.  It is filled again (not as bad) but now the skin is black and hard.  My dog tries to lick it constantly and I am afriad it's going to get infected or open up??  My vet has him on Clavamox still. What will they likely do when I take him back for a follow up with it looking the way it does?    Is his skin dieing?   Also he still stumbles on that leg.  When he is eating it slides out from under him like he doesn't know it's there, but will stand/walk  with it.  He does not use it for stairs, he hops on three legs.  Is this an indication of nerve damage?

Answer
Nicole -

Depending on the location of the bite,your dog may have nerve damage.  If the skin is black and hard there is a chance that the skin is necrotic.  Necrosis should not be a big problem is it is being managed properly and if you are returning to your vet for follow up appointments, then he/she can follow the progress of the skin.



Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM