Cut Little Toe--keeps Splitting Open When Running

[Guest Enna]

About a month ago, our hound cut the top of the little toe while out on a run. It was getting dark, and we didn't see what originally caused the wound, but it appears that she just cut it on something. The original wound was about 1/3 of an inch, straight line between the knuckle and pad on the side of the little toe. We cleaned it and tended to it, as the vet's office was closed at that point, and the wound was healing well.

 

The wound was pretty well healed, with just a little scabbing visible. However, it split open during a high-speed run last week. We went to the vet immediately. The vet cleaned it, gave 2 weeks worth of antibiotics and rimadyl "just in case" and sent us home with directions to cleanse with betadine 2x/day. No wrapping, no sutures--I asked about both specifically. At the time I felt like the vet didn't have any concept that the wound had split open from the force of running, though I had tried to explain it to him, and the vet techs were doing their best to point out that it was a blow-out of a wound, not a new wound. I felt that the techs understood the greyhound physiology, but the vet didn't. Unfortunately, in the group practice we get assigned to an available vet and had not met this vet previously. His lack of greyhound knowlege was startling, but I was perhaps even more put out by his inability to see the big picture--that this was a wound that would continue to re-open due to location and physiology--even if that wouldn't typically happen with other breeds.

 

Yesterday, the wound was pretty well filled in with new tissue--it was still a little pink & a little moist. Then the hound took off running after a groundhog, and split the toe open AGAIN. Back to the vet who acted as if he didn't expect that to happen. He said he'd try to suture the wound with lidocane, since it obviously needed that support for healing (which is ALSO needed the week before, when he did nothing). THEN the said, "if that doesn't work, we'll have to put her under to do the suturing." I said that he would NOT be putting her under, and he looked startled. Did I over-react? I just couldn't let a vet I don't respect put my hound under.

 

Ultimately, they were able to suture the toe (3 stitches). They have the foot bandaged and we're to continue with the antibiotics, as we are still working on the 2-week course from our visit last week. We were assigned a follow-up visit in 3 days, though I've realized that it's just a re-check (money making) visit, not the suture removal visit.

 

 

 

SO....I guess I have a few questions:

 

1) Most importantly, are we on the right course to get this toe healed to the point that it won't re-open? Any suggestions to get us to "all better" more quickly?

 

2) Do I go the route of reqesting that we NOT see this one vet, or do I switch vets entirely? I just can't keep taking my hound to a vet who doesn't see the big picture and repeatedly failed to take her breed-specific peculiarities into account.

 

3) Since we have noticed that this vet group is very VERY fond of re-check visits just to change the bandages, is this an indication that we'll never be able to reach the level of rapport we had with our old vet, where we were given directions, things to watch for at home, and what we felt to be a more reasonable level of follow-up visits (ie--not just for a bandage change that we can do at home).

 

4) Any other words of wisdom to share?

 

 

Thanks!!!

[turbotaina]

Leash walk only - do not allow your pup to run AT ALL for a few weeks.

 

As far as vets...can you not request a specific vet when you make appointments? For example, the practice I go to has about 6 vets. When I call to make the appointment, I tell the receptionist which vet I'm scheduling with. I've not had any problems using this technique and we send plenty of fosters to her as well. So you could "discreetly" not use that particular vet. If that's not possible, I think I'd consider switching practices to a smaller, more greyhound savvy (or at least open to becoming greyhound savvy) practice.

 

Oh, to try to speed healing a little, you might try some water therapy. Cool hose the wound for about 5 minutes twice a day.

[Guest Enna]

Leash walk only - do not allow your pup to run AT ALL for a few weeks.

 

As far as vets...can you not request a specific vet when you make appointments? For example, the practice I go to has about 6 vets. When I call to make the appointment, I tell the receptionist which vet I'm scheduling with. I've not had any problems using this technique and we send plenty of fosters to her as well. So you could "discreetly" not use that particular vet. If that's not possible, I think I'd consider switching practices to a smaller, more greyhound savvy (or at least open to becoming greyhound savvy) practice.

 

We have tried the not running thing. Our hound has way too much racing energy left, so it's a very difficult task. We're definitely going to limit outside time to potty and come back in to minimize the risk of seeing a critter to chase.

 

The vet group won't let us schedule with a particular vet. I have asked and been denied. The one time I asked for a specific vet recommended by a friend I was told no because we had not seen that particular vet before. I asked for the practice owner who we HAD seen before and was told no. It seems that we get one of the newer/lower rung vets and we aren't getting the results we had come to expect from our old vet (who owned the practice). We would still be using our old vet if we hadn't moved, and it's disheartening not to find anyone close to that level of professionalism in this area.

 

My next approach is to go to a different vet group. The daughter of an acquaintence was just named chief of staff at a different practice, and we I was able to schedule an appointment with her. I feel like we have to give that a try rather than playing vet roulette at the other practice group.

[turbotaina]

Yeah, you might need to go to a different practice. What a PITA.

 

BTW, leash walk your pup for potty breaks, too. It'll be a pain, but it's only for a little while and you want that foot to heal

[Greylover97]

Leash walk! The stitches will probably stay in for a couple of weeks. Leash walk when they are in and leash walk for a week after they are out.

 

Keep the bandage clean and dry so you won't fight with infection too. Most of the time with stitches in the feet, the bandage will stay on the whole time until the stitches come out and usually another bandage after they are out for a few days. Don't go removing the bandage unless you are told to.

 

I don't have a problem going back to the vet for bandage changes, they do a better job then I would be able to do that's for sure. If you can't request vet's at this practice then switch.

[Guest Enna]

Thanks, Meredith.

 

The hound was on a leash yesterday, but the 7 year old was on the other end. Up until now, houndie hasn't overpowered the kids, though they have only been permitted to leash walk within the fenced yard. Usually they do quite well together, but yesterday was an exception where pent up energy met temptation. We'll go to adult-only walking and quick restroom breaks for a few weeks. I'm hoping that the sutures are what we need to get the tissue firmly healed.

 

Once the sutures are out, we'll try the water therapy. I know I've seen recommendations for that.

 

Of course, I'm stil trying to decide if I should feel sorry for the groundhog. Hubby is sort of glad that HE wasn't the one who had to "do in" the playset and deck-eating critter.

[Guest Enna]

Leash walk! The stitches will probably stay in for a couple of weeks. Leash walk when they are in and leash walk for a week after they are out.

 

Keep the bandage clean and dry so you won't fight with infection too. Most of the time with stitches in the feet, the bandage will stay on the whole time until the stitches come out and usually another bandage after they are out for a few days. Don't go removing the bandage unless you are told to.

 

I don't have a problem going back to the vet for bandage changes, they do a better job then I would be able to do that's for sure. If you can't request vet's at this practice then switch.

 

 

Just out of curiosity, can I ask what your vet charges for a bandage change?

 

We're looking at a $40 office visit fee, another $30 for "wound care" and another $20 for "bandaging." Since we're pretty adept at bandaging, I just don't know that a bandage changes are worth $90 every 3-4 days for a few weeks.

 

We'll have to come up with some sort of waterproof covering for the bandages when it rains.

[Batmom]

Leash walk, leash walk, leash walk. You can soak up a lot of energy by going for a longer walk and by working on some obedience commands or sedentary games (wear out pupper's brain).

 

Once the cut heals, stitches are out, scab falls off ... leash walk for another week ... then WRAP THE FOOT for 2-3 weeks, before you let pupper outside. Just a supportive vet-wrap type wrap.

 

Waterproof: Two ziploc bags reinforced with duct tape at sole and toe.

 

I'm sorry your vet is so $$$ for bandage changes. Ours have always been $0-$14, and usually no office visit fee as it's a recheck.

[Greylover97]

I think bandage changes with Jake was $32 something. Of course that was at an e-vet clinic that wouldn't allow us to switch the care over to our regular vet. At our regular vet it was one bandage the whole time the stitches were in and then another bandage for a few days after the stitches were removed. Never paid for an office visit with bandage change.

 

Once the stitches come out the wound should be all healed up so water therapy won't be needed then.