Oh No, I Think Beth Broke Her Toe

[fsugrad]

Oh my goodness! Sending hugs to you and to Beth. I'm so sorry that happened.

[PrairieProf]

Here's Beth at the vet's office with her wrap -- it's called a Robert Jones bandage and looking it up I see that it does supposedly have a soft splint component. But I said "no splint" and the vet agreed, so maybe not? Anyway, we're going to recheck it Monday morning, so I'd assume problems couldn't get too bad before then. He said it would help the toe heal straighter and get her through the severe pain part (he wants to keep it on a week).

 

 

She's got a rubber Pawz boot over the end. She really hobbles with it on, poor thing.

 

He didn't forbid me going to GEM, but I'm not going -- it's painful to watch her move, and I can keep her quieter at home.

Edited May 12, 2011 by PrairieProf

[Tallgreydogmom]

One more thought about a brace - call OSU and speak with someone on Dr. Couto's team. If anyone has ideas about this, it is them.

 

Sending hugs for YOU and Beth.

 

Good idea. They have a physical therapy dept, I'm sure they would have lots of suggestions.

[krissn333]

Just looking at your picture of her, it looks like she's got something on her foot that we lovingly referred to as a "spoon splint" when I used to help with the broken leg kids at the kennel. It's basically a plastic tray with foam inside that is curved a little bit and looks like one of the spoons that you eat soup with at japanese restaurants It looks like the spooned portion of the thing is supporting her foot.

 

In any case, just make sure to keep it dry

[Batmom]

When Zema dislocated her toe repeatedly, this is how I wrapped it: http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/236108-dislocated-toe-our-wrap-job-which-worked/page__p__4146449__hl__dislocated__fromsearch__1?do=findComment&comment=4146449 . Rest + wrap job = no more dislocated toe. So, might consider similar for your girl. Best luck!

[PrairieProf]

Just looking at your picture of her, it looks like she's got something on her foot that we lovingly referred to as a "spoon splint" when I used to help with the broken leg kids at the kennel. It's basically a plastic tray with foam inside that is curved a little bit and looks like one of the spoons that you eat soup with at japanese restaurants It looks like the spooned portion of the thing is supporting her foot.

 

In any case, just make sure to keep it dry

 

According to the web, there's nothing rigid in it: http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/orthopod/csfr/terms/robertjonesbandagecipage.htm

 

Batmom, I'm not sure how well I can follow your diagram but this is not an outside toe, so I think it would be harder to do anyway.

 

Beth has been sleeping on my bed but is breathing fast/heavily (not panting) -- am I correct in thinking that's probably a reaction to the anesthesia still?

Edited May 12, 2011 by PrairieProf

[Guest KennelMom]

Why did she have anesthesia?

[PrairieProf]

The vet needed to sedate her to get her into position for xrays -- he tried first without but was having difficulty. They were using the reversible injectable anesthetic, not full anesthesia.

Edited May 12, 2011 by PrairieProf

[Cully]

Anne,

Just seeing this. to Beth and you.

[PrairieProf]

Very rough evening -- Beth started whining in pain. It utterly tore me up, I've never heard her do that. The vet hadn't prepared me for this at all and had her on quite a low dose of Deramaxx to protect her sensitive GI system. Got emergency phone consult with another vet in the practice and then my own vet, and on their recommendation I gave her another dose of Deramaxx and then Tramadol which I happened to have prescribed to me (out of date, but oh well!). So far she seems much better now, the combo seems to be controlling her pain -- I've been worried as I recall reading here about hounds having panting/pacing type reactions to Tramadol, but she's OK so far. NOW he tells me that she may be quite uncomfortable for the first 48 hours or so.

 

I'll be bringing her in first thing tomorrow morning for a recheck, not that there's much they can do except, I guess, check that the bandage isn't causing problems. Meanwhile it's helpful to know I can dose the Tramadol once every eight hours.

Edited May 13, 2011 by PrairieProf

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

You were wise to ask for no splint; IMHO they can cause more problems then they are worth. I recently met a whippet with the two outside toes on his rear foot amputated. Sprained a toe, the vet splinted and bandaged, and he developed pressure sores that got infected and he ended up losing the toes. Keep a close eye on the bandage, keep it DRY, if it gets wet, take it off! Robert Jones bandage is a technique where they create a "stirrup" with a piece of tape that goes under the foot and vertically up both sides of the bandage; then gauze, cast padding, and finally vet wrap. The ends of the "stirrup" get folded down over the top and taped in place. At least that is the way I was taught to do it! I hope her sprain heals quickly; we dread foot injuries around here.

[PrairieProf]

Morning update: Beth had a peaceful night after I gave her the Tramadol -- we're going to keep her on that plus the higher dose of Deramaxx at least through the weekend.

 

We went back to the vet this morning because I wanted her checked, and he took off the wrap and decided to leave it off -- apparently she got some abrasions between her toes during/after the injury, and he wants them exposed to air (he also said she has old abrasion scars between her toes, something I've never noticed -- I'm not sure if he means on that foot only). It's kind of scary knowing she has no protection now, but he said the most important thing was to keep ahead on the pain control, and that I should expect her to hold the foot up sometimes or yelp if she tweaks it (mostly I'm to keep her quiet, of course, and the Tramadol does seem to knock her out a bit, though that's hard to tell on a greyhound). Her appetite seems fine, BTW! Though she didn't poop this morning -- but I understand Tramadol can be constipating.

 

The vet also said that she tore the ligament on one side of her toe, the other side is intact, so with that and the fact it's not an outside toe it shouldn't get out of position too much.

 

I am kind of a wreck -- this is just at the beginning of summer for me (I'm a professor and submitted my grades a couple of days ago), and it's like all the joy has gone out my life, since most of my joy revolves around doing things with Beth.

Edited May 13, 2011 by PrairieProf

[krissn333]

Maybe get her a Nina Ottoson toy and work on some mental stuff with her while she has to be quiet? Then you're still doing an activity together, but she can still be resting.

[PrairieProf]

Never heard of those but I'll check it out -- I'd love some quiet activity. Beth is not very toy oriented, unfortunately.

 

Maybe I can figure out some clicker training she can do from a reclining position....

[krissn333]

It's more like puzzles. We have the doggie casino (NeylasMom has it too). http://www.amazon.co...05297005&sr=8-6 but if you just go to Amazon and search for Nina Ottoson, you'll find all of the different puzzles they offer

 

Here is a YouTube video of Neyla playing

Edited May 13, 2011 by krissn333

[Batmom]

I would think some gentle, not-too-long walks where you can have a picnic might be a nice summer activity for you two .....

 

We have the Nina Ottoson tornado game. They do whiz through it pretty fast once they learn how. Always a good time tho.

[PrairieProf]

Argh, she seems in more discomfort again, and her toe has swollen now that the wrap is off. I took her out to pee and she's three-legging about 70% of the time. Just called the vet and he said it's all normal, just have to get through the first 48-72 hours, that the pain gets worse before it gets better.....

[krissn333]

Yep...unfortunately.

 

When she is resting comfortably, you can put an ice pack on her foot for about 3-5 minutes at a time...that might help a little

[TheFullHouse]

Poor thing and poor you. It's always hard when you're dealing with a lot of pain. Staying ahead of it truly helps though. I'd dose her regularly for the first couple of days. Hope she heals quickly and you're able to enjoy some of your summer.

[XTRAWLD]

I was going to suggest an ice pack too, but that usually constricts blood vessels, but reduces swelling....but perhaps a heat pack might be better, works well on sore, tight muscles so.......I don't know which one might be better?

[krissn333]

I was going to suggest an ice pack too, but that usually constricts blood vessels, but reduces swelling....but perhaps a heat pack might be better, works well on sore, tight muscles so.......I don't know which one might be better?

 

That's a good point. Maybe alternate between heat and cold? I always think of the icyhot commercials...Icy to dull the pain, hot to relax it away...

 

Heat increases blood flow to promote healing, while cold reduces inflammation.

 

Don't freak out if her toe looks a little purple-ish later today or tomorrow. It happens.

[Batmom]

If it's actively swelling, best is ice to get that down and make it feel a bit better. Something like a bag of frozen peas or corn, just a couple minutes at a time. Warmth later, when it's starting to heal.

[PrairieProf]

Yes, the vet said I could try icing it if she'll tolerate it. I'll try later -- she's in her crate right now, as I had to go out to the supermarket earlier.

 

Added: after writing the above I went downstairs to check on her -- she's roaching in her crate! First encouraging sign I've seen. She must feel OK at the moment, at least. And her foot is elevated, just like the doctor would order if she weren't a dog.

Edited May 13, 2011 by PrairieProf

[krissn333]

Good girl, Beth!

[PrairieProf]

She's three-legging it about 90% of the time now. So hard to see, though the vet said it was OK if she did that (and I guess it spares her foot). Wow, she wants to go fast when she's hopping -- I guess it's easier to get the motion! I feel like I'm walking a kangaroo.

 

She finally pooped -- first time since last night. A relief to know she can when she wants to.

 

Her foot is SO swollen, and the abrasion between the toes looks really raw -- she licked it some, or else the swelling makes it look more prominent and redder than it did before. I have an appointment at 9:00 tomorrow with the vet -- but it's the other vet in the practice, my regular vet is not coming in. I don't expect her to say much enlightening, but I can't survive the weekend without someone looking at the foot in its present state.