Guest madredhare Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Well my toe woes are still going. For those of you who may not have seen my issues, Sadie severly dislocated her toe (left foot, second toe from the outside) almost 2 1/2 weeks ago. They put it back in place and there was a cut where the toenail went into the next toe. First anti-biotic gave her severe vomitting. Got the bandage off and everything was fine. Several days later, there was a pus pocket in between the toes. New anti-biotic (Orbax). Tried cleaning it out daily and applying cream. That didn't work. Next, they cut the infected part out. First day, bandage change was good. Still a little weepy, but a new bandage and we were on our way. Today, didn't go so well. They took the bandage off and the stitches are pulling away from the skin. Plus she was vomitting all last night. So now we can't tolerate this anti-biotic. Plus she has heart issues. So needless to say, we are heading to Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists in Louisville tomorrow. First we make sure the heart is okay and she can tolerate surgery. Then she is more than likely going to lose the toe. It makes me so nervous. I was worried about her quality of life, but many people tell me that lots of greys lose a toe and do just fine. If anyone has experience with this and would like to share their story, that would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 If she is able to tolerate the surgery then the toe amp is really not that big a deal. Dude shattered one of his, so we didn't have any options, and he's perfectly fine. He doesn't even know he only has three toes on one foot. Two weeks and the surgery site was completely healed. His foot has sort of changed shape to accomodate weight-bearing, but nobody even notices. I would be more concerned about her inability to beon antibiotics. I hope your vet has some options for you - topical applications, water therapy, daily washing and bandage changes. Good luck. greysmom Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smiley Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 How awful. Keeping you and Sadie in my thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest twogreytkids Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 My first grey had an amputated toe. It never affected the quality of his life. He walked fine. Marcy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddibear Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 My first grey had an amputated toe. It never affected the quality of his life. He walked fine. Marcy My foster( for 8 months) came with a racing injury/amputation of outer rear toe. He is just fine. He is even BETTER now that I adopted him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DebSzal Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Gracie tore a toe on her right front paw almost totally off running for a ball at a dog park. Her toe was barely hanging on and our options were to sew it back and hope it took or amputate. Since the toe was almost off anyways we opted for amputation. It was amputated at the first knuckle and they were able to save the pad. She is fine and doesn't seem to miss it. We did get a Therapaw for when she is walking on gravel or asphalt for too long since it does tend to bother her then. She gets a lot of attention with the Therapaw on so she doesn't mind it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest madredhare Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Thanks for the encouraging responses. It makes me more hopeful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest boondog Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I know of a few greys who are missing a toe. A friend of mine has a boy who is missing two toes on different feet. They all do just fine. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jessie1234 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 We rescued a 2 yr old boy Oscar from a pound in Sydney Australia. Poor Darling had has toe stapled with a builders staple by same ass that then dumped him..... Can you image his pain? ...It did require amputation unfortunately as infection had set in...and oscar is doing just fine without it - Im sure he doesnt miss it at all! www.greyhoundrescue.com.au there are some pics. Hope it all goes well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamngrey Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 my current foster had to have hers amputated. (same to as your pup but on right foot). It was a bit of a issue keeping it dry and her not licking or trying to nest (that ended up tearing sutures). It took about 6 weeks in all to completely heal and for her to walk on it. But she is a happy girl now. Good luck Quote Cassie: Pikes Clara Bell Swoop: My Man Swoop BRIDGE ANGELS Psi:WD'S Aleford 3/17/00-4/25/10 Snowman: Gable Snowman 1/9/96-2/14/08 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peppersdad Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Sorry you are going through a tough time at the moment, our experience with toe removal,stems from some two years ago.our boy pepper had a cyst between his toes ,front left leg,we tried two different antibiotics ,fine all the time pep was on antibiotics the cyst went down ,but as soon as pep finished the course,the cyst came up again,so surgery was the only option.initially it was to remove the cyst,but the vet found the bone was infected so the whole toe was removed, a few problems with the healing process down to pep being a nibbler and licker,but that said pep has made a complete recovery and is back to his old self with no problems whatsoever. hope this is of some help,good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mcsheltie Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 There is a fairly new injectable antibiotic that lasts several days (maybe a week... can't remember) My vet told me a lot of their clients are using it. Might be an option since Sadie can't tolerate oral antibiotics. I can find out what it tomorrow if you'd like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devotion Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 I have had 2 with a missing toe/toes. Both were like this when I adopted them so don't know about the recovery but both did fantastic. One had a weight bearing toe missing and he never limped or acted like he knew it was gone. Quote Pam with greys Avril, Dalton & Zeus & Diddy the dachshund & Miss Buzz the kitty Devotion, Jingle Bells, Rocky, Hans, Harbor, Lennon, NoLa, Scooter, Naomi and Scout at the bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smiley Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 We are two days post-op of a toe amputation and so far it seems much less traumatic for Smiley than I thought it would. He is bright-eyed, alert, able to bow and even tried to run after Peanut today while on leash. I am more hopeful that he will heal quicker than I thought now that we are two days in, if that is helpful at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest salov Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Our boy has a toe missing off his rear right foot and he honestly doen't miss it at all. They recover really really quickly from an amputation, but quicker than having pins inserted and waiting for it all to heal.... and they honestly don't miss it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MnMDogs Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 We are two days post-op of a toe amputation and so far it seems much less traumatic for Smiley than I thought it would. He is bright-eyed, alert, able to bow and even tried to run after Peanut today while on leash. I am more hopeful that he will heal quicker than I thought now that we are two days in, if that is helpful at all. Thank you so much for posting this. Mork is having a toe removed next month, and I'm so worried that the recovery will be difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheDoggfather Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 See the boy in my siggy? He had a toe removed as a 19-month old pup. Came back to racing and burst onto the scene like no other racer in Jacksonville history. And that's not being braggadocious, he truly was and the facts support it Point is, he came back from a toe amp with no ill-effects. Your girl will be fine and as has already been said, her quality of life will improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenwinniesmom Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Our angel Nick had the 2 middle toes of his right hind leg amputated when he came off the track at 2 1/2. He'd badly injured that foot, and it healed so badly twisted that the vet decided to amputate when he had his neuter. I won't say it went smoothly at first---those middle toes provided cushion for his foot, and he got some sores. There were a few ups and downs, but we kept working at it, and it did heal. He never had any problems with that foot for the 7 1/2 years we had him. He walked normally most of the time, only holding that foot up occasionally. I think that was partly because he'd had so much pain for so long before the amputation, and was used to limping on it. But he did fine, and it added to his charm---the ladies loved it. He had a Therapaw for that leg, and if he was going to be walking a lot, he wore it. Hope things go well with your girl. Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sheila Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 It was amputated at the first knuckle and they were able to save the pad. I know I am missing something here. How can a toe be amputated and yet the pad be saved? I'm sure I am reading this incorrectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MnMDogs Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 It was amputated at the first knuckle and they were able to save the pad. I know I am missing something here. How can a toe be amputated and yet the pad be saved? I'm sure I am reading this incorrectly. That's what I wondered, but our vet actually explained how it would be done - unfortunately I don't recall! But I think someone on here posted a pic of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest madredhare Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Thanks for all your replies. I can't figure out how to link to my update post. It is listed under Home from L'ville with Sadie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.