Gus & His Broken Toe - Update On Healing

[Guest Vinnie]

First of all - thank you Burpdog! You reminded me to follow my instincts and to stand up for Gus - we took him in today (thankfully) to get his splint changed again. He is no longer wearing a splint as the splint caused a bigger problem - a pressure sore that seems to be worse than the broken toe! I was not comfortable waiting so I called last night to arrange to come in today as he is growing so fast that his limping was becoming more pronounced. I wanted him to have his splint off or cut down further last week as it seemed to be causing an issue and I should have really pushed the issue instead of letting him re-wrap & splint Gus again. Now I feel like a horrible mama and I am angry at the e-vet that started all this.

 

When they were unwrapping Gus today he was crying out and snapping (never a good sign) and the vet thought he was being a baby drama queen until she started to get through the wrap - the smell hit me first and then the oozing bandage - then the open pressure sore that does not look or smell good at all - which of course then started to bleed profusely. Our poor baby is so brave - the vet is concerned about it becoming an open wound and/or it eroding through the bone - not to mention that his beautiful feet are flat and turning now - the broken toe healed crooked (which I am ok with) but his foot is turning weird now so she is hoping that will correct itself the more he uses his foot. And of course I have to keep him restricted still in the midst of all of this.

 

 

I will try to take and post a photo tomorrow after we have all had some rest. It was a very traumatic day as we also took Gracie for her nail trim and anal glands (will the humiliation never end?) - even with the med to help calm her she still gets so very anxious. So while she was treated Gus tried to protect her and now that we are home, Gracie is now looking after him. They are so sweet crashed out and sound asleep now.

 

If anyone has any suggestions on what we can do to help Gus heal, please post - we don't want him to hurt like this and we definitely don't want him to get any worse. Please keep him in your thoughts. Thanks so much.

 

 

Ok - do not look if slightly squeamish - open wound close up - though it looks clean and also his right paw/foot area:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 9, 2008 by Vinnie

[gracegirl]

Oh no! Not the update I was hoping for Poor little monkey. So it sounds like it's open to the air and exposed now? Until a scab forms, keep it very very very clean. Does he fuss at his wounds? If he does, try having him wear a tee shirt depending on where it is. Long sleeves might work well, with some tape or rubber bands to keep the sleeve down. I feel so bad for him. :(

[Guest Vinnie]

Right now he is in a light gauze bandage with vet wrap done lightly around his paw due to the oozing and him wanting to lick and chew - and I have my old (new - he already went through my original set of 3 tube socks so I bought a new 6 pack) trusty long tube socks over that to help prevent the chewing. It is on his right front paw right where the wrist is - easy to get to. This was the first time I put a muzzle on him - he wanted to snap at the doc and he's really fast. She suggested the e-collar but not a good solution for him - will find t's or towels to wrap around his neck if needed. T's won't work to keep him away from it as it is so far down his paw.

 

However, don't think that will stop him from flying up to give you a kiss and hug on Sunday! And by then Gracie should have her sleepy pills out of her system so she can play with Fenway and Grace. Looking forward to seeing you all.

[Guest Dragonmom]

awww poor baby Gus. lots of and 's from Winnie and her hoomens.

[Guest argolola]

Sending prayers for your little sweetie.

[Guest redreed]

OHGoodness!! Poor little baby Gus. I'm so sorry you guys are going thru this. You are not a horrible mama, you are a wonderful mama!!!!

 

I wish I had some great advice but... all I can send you is wet sloppy Spyder nibbles and kisses.

 

Good luck and take care,

Renee

[Guest KennelMom]

Poor Gus I hope he heals up quickly!

[Guest VaGreymom]

Sending healing thoughts and prayers.

 

Hope he feels better soon.

[patricia]

OH how sad. Sending my prayers and white light.

[robinw]

the exact same thing happened to loca when she broke her toe. it took a really long time for it to heal. i had to be especially vigilant about covering her bandage with thick plastic every time we went out, not just when it was damp. after the bandage was removed, it eventually cleared up with the use of antibiotics but it took longer for her broken toe to fully heal than it did for her broken leg several years earlier.

 

good luck! you WILL get through this.

[Guest greyt2love]

Oh, poor Gus. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I have no suggestions, just good thoughts for you.

 

When Chloe had her broken leg last year, she was 18 months old, and so impossible to keep still. Her leg - ankle - healed crooked. I thought I was a bad mommy. But I wasn't, and you aren't either. Two vets and an orthopedic specialist told me the leg was set perfectly and surgery would cause more problems than it would help. What did I know ? When the cast came off, I was devestated for my poor sweet little girl. But I followed everything they told me. You are in the same situation. You thought there was a problem and you took Gus to have the splint removed early. You are a GREAT mommy !!!

Good luck that everything heals up for your sweet little (little ????) boy.

 

Here's hugs and kisses from not-a-baby anymore Marlee!

[Guest greyhoundluv]

Prayers Gus gets better soon. That is so sweet the other's are taking care of him.

[Guest VelvetEars]

Without seeing where the sore is, it's hard for me to say if this will work or not. But if it's on a straight part of his leg, and you need air to get to it w/o him licking it, slip a large hard plastic pink curler (the kind w/ holes) over his leg - pad the ends with cotton wadding to hold it away from the wound, and then vetwrap the ends in place. (The curler would be flush against the opposite side of the leg.)

 

I really do swear by an aloe gel / lavender essential oil mixture to speed healing and reduce infection. Take 2 oz of aloe gel, add 30 drops of lavender essential oil, and mix well. Apply 2-4x/day. (just a little dab will do it)

[ShantisMom]

Oh no! Poor Gus! I don't even know how you could wrap that. We are sending lots of healing thoughts up to baby Gus. We will think calm, mellow thoughts too.

[Hubcitypam]

Feel better soon GusMan!

When Buck broke his toe my vet refused to spint it saying too often splints lead to sores or even worse, a stress fracture further up the leg. You are not a horrible Mom and I'm sure Gus will be fine soon.

[nyGreys]

Oh no, poor lil boy. Hope he feels better soon.

[SAVED2]

We had the same thing with frannies toe , the problem is you cannot bandage the leg only the toes , and then you must change twice a day , more if wet or damp out , the raw area must be bandage FREE , And grey must be leash walked for 3 months , no running for 3 months , or it could break again.

[Guest trevdog]

This happened to Trevor too, it took even longer to heal the sores than it did the toe. If I had to do it again, I would have just let the toe heal on it's own. He had to go for bandage changes very other day for weeks and was miserable. He was wrapped up for at least 2 months and his toe still healed crooked. I would think since Gus is still growing, he would need to be out of that splint for sure to help his foot straighten out.

[Guest Vinnie]

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and advice. I did post some new photos of the area and my stomach kinda rolls a little when I look at the white spot on the open wound area - is that his bone? He is not licking excessively, which is good. We did talk to the vet who said to leave it open now and he is not wearing his splint. He does walk tenderly but he forgets everything the second he starts stalking his sister or sees someone come outside and then he tries to fly through the air!

 

I am worried about the open area, the toe still looks bruised and sore and his right paw looks slightly twisted and very flat compared to his other paws. If I had to do this again, I would have a short splint like I requested and/or left it off completely and taped it. My heart is just breaking for our poor sweet puppy. Please keep him in your thoughts.

 

Thanks so much gt'ers - you are the very best!

[Guest greyt2love]

Just saw the pictures. Poor, poor Gus !! Take good care, little man !!

 

[Hubcitypam]

I think the white will disappear quickly as soon as you leave it open at least some of the time. It doesn't look like anything to be too concerned about. I do believe in your vets advice and follow it for both the dogs and myself. If you keep it taped and bandaged and no air it takes a zillion times longer to heal. In my own self I have bandaged owies when I was going to be in wet or less than ideal situations at work, but let them breathe and heal uncovered at night.

[Guest greytful4]

First of all - thank you Burpdog! You reminded me to follow my instincts and to stand up for Gus - we took him in today (thankfully) to get his splint changed again. He is no longer wearing a splint as the splint caused a bigger problem - a pressure sore that seems to be worse than the broken toe! I was not comfortable waiting so I called last night to arrange to come in today as he is growing so fast that his limping was becoming more pronounced. I wanted him to have his splint off or cut down further last week as it seemed to be causing an issue and I should have really pushed the issue instead of letting him re-wrap & splint Gus again. Now I feel like a horrible mama and I am angry at the e-vet that started all this.

 

When they were unwrapping Gus today he was crying out and snapping (never a good sign) and the vet thought he was being a baby drama queen until she started to get through the wrap - the smell hit me first and then the oozing bandage - then the open pressure sore that does not look or smell good at all - which of course then started to bleed profusely. Our poor baby is so brave - the vet is concerned about it becoming an open wound and/or it eroding through the bone - not to mention that his beautiful feet are flat and turning now - the broken toe healed crooked (which I am ok with) but his foot is turning weird now so she is hoping that will correct itself the more he uses his foot. And of course I have to keep him restricted still in the midst of all of this.

 

 

I will try to take and post a photo tomorrow after we have all had some rest. It was a very traumatic day as we also took Gracie for her nail trim and anal glands (will the humiliation never end?) - even with the med to help calm her she still gets so very anxious. So while she was treated Gus tried to protect her and now that we are home, Gracie is now looking after him. They are so sweet crashed out and sound asleep now.

 

If anyone has any suggestions on what we can do to help Gus heal, please post - we don't want him to hurt like this and we definitely don't want him to get any worse. Please keep him in your thoughts. Thanks so much.

 

 

Ok - do not look if slightly squeamish - open wound close up - though it looks clean and also his right paw/foot area:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMG !! Kylie just went thru the exact same thing, what a mess !!! She's FINALLY in a soft bandage and hopefully this is the last of it! Hugs to your baby !!

 

[ShantisMom]

OMG! Nasty. And it is on the joint so I am guessing you can't clean it up and stitch it. WOW! I am guessing it is one you have to keep putting ointment, nonstick gauze pad and some vet wrap on. I am so sorry that happened! We are sending LOTS of healing thoughts to baby Gus!

[Guest VelvetEars]

what about EMT gel??

[4greyhounds]

I am so Sorry Poor Baby, we are goping to be praying for a Quick Recovery.