Guest GryffinSong Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 (edited) Gryffin appears to have dislocated his toe, probably while goofing around in the snowy backyard. He didn't scream or otherwise indicate that anything was wrong. He was laying in the living room and we noticed a slight limp when he got up. One toenail is sticking out to the side and there's bruising between the toes. When I touch it he doesn't seem in any pain, but if I try to move it, to see if it'll go back to its normal place, he pulls back a bit, and he is limping a bit. There's no broken skin. I called the emergency vet and my regular vet. Wouldn't you know it that the regular vet was just closing when I called. I've sent her an email to see if there's any risk to waiting until tomorrow. If needbe, of course, I'll take him in tonight, but it's cold, wet and icy out there, and I took a bad fall yesterday on the ice. My back and tailbone are still quite sore, and I'd feel a lot more comfortable walking a lame dog in the daylight when I can see. Any suggestions one way or the other? And if I wait, is there something I should do to make him more comfortable or to prevent any further damage? Thanks! Edited December 23, 2009 by GryffinSong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BauersMom Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 You can wait until tomorrow. I would leash walk only for now though, and if you have soft-wrapped a paw before you can do that - otherwise, just keep him quiet for the time being. Good luck Quote With Buster Bloof (UCME Razorback 89B-51359) and Gingersnap Ginny (92D-59450). Missing Pepper, Berkeley, Ivy, Princess and Bauer at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MDMD Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Gryffin appears to have dislocated his toe, probably while goofing around in the snowy backyard. He didn't scream or otherwise indicate that anything was wrong. He was laying in the living room and we noticed a slight limp when he got up. One toenail is sticking out to the side and there's bruising between the toes. When I touch it he doesn't seem in any pain, but if I try to move it, to see if it'll go back to its normal place, he pulls back a bit, and he is limping a bit. There's no broken skin. I called the emergency vet and my regular vet. Wouldn't you know it that the regular vet was just closing when I called. I've sent her an email to see if there's any risk to waiting until tomorrow. If needbe, of course, I'll take him in tonight, but it's cold, wet and icy out there, and I took a bad fall yesterday on the ice. My back and tailbone are still quite sore, and I'd feel a lot more comfortable walking a lame dog in the daylight when I can see. Any suggestions one way or the other? And if I wait, is there something I should do to make him more comfortable or to prevent any further damage? Thanks! Hi, how is he doing? I had a Grey that dislocated his toe 3 different times. The vet each time put it back in place, they said the next time it happended they may think about removing it, which I thought was odd. Strange thing is it never happened after the 3rd time and he lived many years after that running like crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GryffinSong Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Thanks to you both! I just got email back from my vet, and she agrees with you, Bauer's Mom, that it can wait until morning. I'm glad not to go out on the ice tonight. He's resting quietly beside me. The big goof follows me from room to room, even with a sore toe, so I'm trying to stay put for awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Yep...it can wait. Personally, I'd try to pop that sucker back into place. Once you get 'em going they usually pop back pretty easily. Sometimes even on their own as the dog walks around. He will pull back if you mess with it...it doesn't feel too hot right now, but if you feel OK trying it, just steady him and with a firm hand push the toe back into the right position. I think I sweated bullets the first time I ever did it! However if it's already swelled up, you may not be able to...some toes swell more than others. Also, you can soak the foot in cold water to help minimize swelling...this usually only effective for the first 48 hours or so after the dislocation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Curfew dislocated his left outside toe about a week ago, in our stinking muddy pen. It was dislocated outwardly, and I was able to put it back into place (reduce it). I put him on 35 mg of Deramaxx, twice a day, and I am wrapping it with Kling (conforming gauze) and vet wrap. He is doing very well, and wants to walk and run wiht the others. Vets says at least 2-4 weeks house rest, and leash walking. From what you are describing, your might be a break. I'd see what the vet says tomorrow. All of my information came from my former employer/vet, and still good friend, Dr. B, from Florida. Good Luck and I hope it is just a dislocation, but I tell you ... they all used to walk DAILY for 1/2 mile over tough terrain. Now, we try keeping Curfew in the large pen with one of the others, while DH or I walk the other three .. it is not working :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GryffinSong Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I really don't think its broken. It seems to be the joint closest to the toenail, which the vet says is as much cosmetic as functional. There doesn't seem to be much, if any, swelling. We did try to pop it back into place, but with no luck. With the dislocation so close to the nail it's hard to even figure out exactly what we should be pulling/pushing and where. I held Gryffin while my mom tried to pop it into place. Hopefully it'll be simple once the vet looks at it. The vet over email said she wanted to xray, but I think once they see it they may know what to do without it. We shall see tomorrow morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Good Luck! Hope it all goes well. Curfew HATES not being able to go on his long walks with the others :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GryffinSong Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Gryffin's toe did not go back into place easily. The vet ended up giving him some happy juice, xrayed him, and finally got it back into place. The xray was amazing. The last joint was completely out and pointing outward. He's in a splint, which is wrapped in bright red vet wrap. Very festive for the holidays. The big goof was bouncing around all over the place when I went to pick him up. Guess he doesn't know that its that kind of wild-man behavior that got him into this mess! My mom and I have been thinking about it, and we are guessing that he caught his toe in the chain link fence. The last time he went out, prior to the injury, he'd been bouncing around at the fence-line, responding to the neighbor's dogs. Thanks for all your well-wishes and advice. Hopefully the drama is over now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 WOW! Glad you went to the vet! Sounds like a very BAD dislocation! Curfew's is healing, but I have to watch him, as he wants to talk and run with the others! Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BauersMom Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Yep, been there, done that! One thing to watch though - those hard splints will cause a sore in literally days. Keep an eye on him and if he starts limping more, or not using the leg, have it looked at. You can keep them in a soft wrap also for dislocations, which is all we do now (believe it or not, we've been through this about a dozen times with our guys ). Quote With Buster Bloof (UCME Razorback 89B-51359) and Gingersnap Ginny (92D-59450). Missing Pepper, Berkeley, Ivy, Princess and Bauer at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Yep, been there, done that! One thing to watch though - those hard splints will cause a sore in literally days. Keep an eye on him and if he starts limping more, or not using the leg, have it looked at. You can keep them in a soft wrap also for dislocations, which is all we do now (believe it or not, we've been through this about a dozen times with our guys ). Curfew is in a soft splint. I am using conforming gauze (Kling) and vet wrap on top. No more swelling, and he is raring to go! He needs one more week of resting it, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GryffinSong Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Thanks for the hint on the splint. I'll keep a really close eye on him, and he's being checked again next week. The vet (who's a sub for my regular) says they won't rewrap on that day, but I'll ask them to in order to check for sores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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