Please Need Help Covering Stitched Paw

[rschultz]

Our grey went to the er tonight. we think she cut part of her paw with one of our outside metal lights. It was buried under 2 feet of snow. Anyway, they stitched her and we have to keep the bandage free from wetness. I tried ziploc bags with rubber bands and plastic bags. nothing seems to stay on good. Please any suggestions would be appreciated.14 days of this is going to be tough.

ty

[Guest greydogluvr]

I bet if you wrapped the paw in a ziplock bag and covered it with vet wrap it would stay. I wrap horse hooves with this and it stays well. The vet wrap will get wet but the bag will keep the moisture away from the stitches. Maybe put a sock on her foot under the bag for comfort.

[Guest Mommydog]

You can buy a protective boot, they aren't very expensive, and the ones I have stay on well. Here's a site that sells them, your local pet store may stock them too.

 

http://www.petboots.com/

[Houndtime]

Ask your vet for an IV bag and tape that around the wound. Do you have waterproof boots? Maybe you can get an inexpensive pair in a pet store.

Until you get something better, put a sock or Saran wrap over the wound, use your zip lock bag or grocery bag and use adhesive tape or vet wrap around the bag. Not on the skin.

Good luck because it isn't easy.

[Pippin]

This won't help you tonight, but for the future, GEM (Greyhounds Eastern Michigan) sell something called "PAWS" - it's a disposable plastic bootie. Janet (FoxysMom) used one for her boy Jake up in Ottawa, and gives it 2 thumbs up.

 

GEM had them at Sandy Paws - dont know if they're on the website or not. But there's a thread on here somewhere with links to other sources for it.

[Batmom]

Depending on how far up the stitches go (and how deep your snow is), you'll want either quart- or gallon-sized ziploc bags; some vetwrap or masking tape; and some duct tape. For just a foot, I like the quart size. Take two bags and cut the zipper off. Put one bag on her foot, wrap around ankle, and secure at ankle with snug vetwrap (or masking tape). Now put the second bag over that, wrap around ankle and secure at ankle with snug vetwrap (or masking tape). Take a couple small pieces of duct tape and put them on the sole of her outer bag; wrap up around the sides and toe @ 1/2". That'll keep the outer bag from puncturing easily, so you can reuse it.

 

Good luck! Hate having to keep a foot dry in wet/snowy weather.

[Laur]

a rubber glove ..the household kind used for washing dishes. Turn it so the fingers are inside, use vet wrap to secure it to the leg. Not a long term solution but works in a pinch

[Houndtime]

a rubber glove ..the household kind used for washing dishes. Turn it so the fingers are inside, use vet wrap to secure it to the leg. Not a long term solution but works in a pinch

 

 

Well, that's a new one and sounds good to try.

[Guest jordan]

www.pawz.com

 

they are wonderful!

[Guest longdogs]

The above suggestions will work. The only only thing I can add is that you might need to use adhesive dressing over the bag/sock/vetwrap if she's likely to pull the whole lot off. Otherwise you might have to come up with a quick system you can put on and take of with each trip outside.

[Guest JarBear]

Glad Press and Seal wrap. You can wrap it around and it will stick to itself. I usually have to cut it off with bandage scissors when they come inside.

[seeh2o]

How about trying an unlubricated condom, then put a sock over it, then the vet wrap, then a zip lock bag. The condom will fit the paw and leg nice and snug and will surely stay put for a short trip outside.

 

The big plus is that condoms are cheap and disposable, just make sure it's not lubricated.

Edited March 10, 2008 by ckruzan

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

I used my FoodSaver to make a dog-leg-sized sleeve and vet-wrapped that on, worked good! I then sewed a channel in it for a cord and a cord-lock so I could just cinch it up around his leg. This was a really neat idea until I didn't get it cinched up enough and it came off in the yard, bandage got wet... Fortunately it was OK for the bandage to come off at that point, he just had a torn dew claw... If I have to do it again I'll stick with the vetwrap.

[gryhndsr4us]

Glad Press and Seal wrap. You can wrap it around and it will stick to itself. I usually have to cut it off with bandage scissors when they come inside.

 

I use this also, but I also put a felt bootie over top. The foot will stay nice and dry. Just went through this in February, Clark had a sore between his toes that had to be kept dry. We had to keep a sock on the foot to prevent him from licking.

[Guest armanntoo]

The last time Wendy Cut her foot, I put a bag ove the dressing, then covered it with a sock, held on with a velcro strap done up above the joint. Worked great, and all I had to do what change the sock every time we came home.

[4greyhounds]

We have had that at this house and we use the boot also. They work great. I am so sorry that he got hurt. Hope feels better real soon.

[Wendie]

We've had to deal with this twice so far since January. Both times, we've used an IV bag from the vet held on with a rubber band that's wrapped twice around the upper part of the bag. Very rarely had a problem with it coming off and the bag has no problems holding up to a greyhound sized beating.

[Maddiesmom]

I feel your pain on this- Maddie just went through this for 10 days. Thought we did NOT have snow and rain . I was able to keep her dry with vet wrap and a baby sock.

Good Luck

[rschultz]

Thank u all. the iv bag seems to be working the best in 2 feet of snow...lol.i will be glad when the stitches come off. I know I am going to be paranoid now about every little thing when she walks anywhere!!

[tbhounds]

I REALLY recommend the Medipaw boot---they come in different sizes, waterproof, breathable and very easy to put on and take off (velcro and pull tie on the top). I got mine from Sitstay.com

[robinw]

Ask your vet for an IV bag and tape that around the wound.

i second that suggestion. i held it in place with a thick rubberband.

[rschultz]

That medipaw is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ty so much!!!! It works wonderfully and the grey walks in it well and easy for us.. Bless you..your a greysavor.