Guest mariah Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) Chips was picked up by the rescue group last year with a severely dislocated toe on his front foot. Basically the end of the toe hangs off at about a 45 degree angle. It was the first thing I asked the vet about when I got him, and he said if it didn't bother him, it shouldn't be an issue. He's been very active since we got him, and I don't think the walks on the pavement are doing him any favors, either. He still puts weight on that foot, doesn't limp, but I can tell that the toe is bothering him. Last Friday we went to our vet for x-rays and to discuss options, and I left feeling pretty dissatisfied. This was my first time seeing this particular vet, who runs the practice, in the past we've always seen a different one–and I really didn't like her. The very first thing she mentioned, before taking x-rays or examining the toe, was that it could be osteosarcoma, which kind of weirded me out, since that seemed so unlikely, not to mention why would you suggest that without having any evidence to go on? Anyway, after the x-ray showed the toe was in fact, dislocated, she said that probably what would happen is that they would remove the nail or maybe the first joint of that digit. I asked her what the benefit was to keeping part of the toe intact, as I had read that it was better to just take off the whole toe as opposed to part of it. And she said she didn't know, that it was up to the surgeon. So today I'll be calling the surgeon to see what he thinks, but I'm starting to have second thoughts as to whether or not I want the procedure done there at all. I feel like I'm at least going to want a second opinion, preferably from a vet who's performed this type of procedure on greyhounds, I know it's a fairly common thing to have done. Recommendations from MA folks would be very much appreciated! Thanks! Edited July 5, 2011 by mariah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Currently, I'm using Dr Mason at Dedham Vet - she's been great with my greys and my dogs have gotten good care there. I've also used Angel frequently for emergencies but, I don't have the names of the vets that I have used there. You may also want to call your adoption group and see which vet they use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ctgreylover Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I heard VCA Wakefield has a greyhound owner/vet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Currently, I'm using Dr Mason at Dedham Vet - she's been great with my greys and my dogs have gotten good care there. I've also used Angel frequently for emergencies but, I don't have the names of the vets that I have used there. You may also want to call your adoption group and see which vet they use. I LOVE Dr. Mason!! She was my vet before I moved to Canton. Right next door to Dedham Veterinary (Where Dr. Mason works) is Boston Veterinary Specialists. There is a female surgeon there who not only did her surgical residency in Jacksonville, FL (where many injured racers are fixed up!) she owns a Greyhound. Oh, her name....hold on...Catherine Biere. Here's a link to their site: Boston Veterinary Specialists I would trust her with George's life! She has multiple degrees, and specializes in pain management as well as surgery. Dr. Mason has gone above and beyond for George. She has worked with my CURRENT vet on the phone, since she is more Grey savvy than my present vet. Really, terrific folks! Dr. Kara Rycek, in the same practice, is also wonderful! Dedham Veterinary Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieProf Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 FWIW Beth just had a whole middle toe removed earlier this summer (see my long thread on the subject) and I recall my vet (whom I think is great, but I wouldn't call him a greyhound vet) saying toe removal was a very straightforward surgery, one he'd feel comfortable with even a vet student doing. The complications Beth had came with fragile greyhound skin and irritation from wrapping. It seems odd to me that only the last segment of the toe would be dislocated or a source of pain, so I too would get a second opinion. Quote With Cocoa (DC Chocolatedrop), missing B for Beth (2006-2015)And kitties C.J., Klara, Bernadette, John-Boy, & Sinbad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mariah Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Thanks for the comments so far! Dedham Veterinary sounds great, they are also much closer to us than our current vet in Waltham. I will look into it. FWIW Beth just had a whole middle toe removed earlier this summer (see my long thread on the subject) and I recall my vet (whom I think is great, but I wouldn't call him a greyhound vet) saying toe removal was a very straightforward surgery, one he'd feel comfortable with even a vet student doing. The complications Beth had came with fragile greyhound skin and irritation from wrapping. It seems odd to me that only the last segment of the toe would be dislocated or a source of pain, so I too would get a second opinion. Your thread on Beth was extremely helpful to me last week as I was preparing for our vet visit (thank you!) I'm glad to hear that she's pretty much back to her old self at this point I agree, that assessment seemed off. Even though it would be a different vet reviewing the x-rays and doing the surgery, her comments made me feel like it wasn't a procedure that their practice had much experience with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mariah Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I spoke with the surgeon at my current (ex) vet last night who acted like he was reluctant to do anything about the toe, informed me that amputating it was "not something to be taken lightly," possibly implied that I was exaggerating the amount of pain my dog was in, and wanted me to wait until next Tuesday so their other surgeon could review the x-rays. I called Dedham vet first thing this morning, told them the situation, and they got me an appointment for this evening, which was awesome, being a first-time patient and all. The receptionist was very nice when I talked to her and said I could have my old vet email the x-ray over, but, big surprise, they don't have a digital copy, only a hard copy, so I will be going over to the old vet on my lunch break to pick that up and then never setting foot in there again! I'll let you know how the vet visit goes! I feel like we're in good hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 It's funny, I just got back from there a few minutes ago because it looks like Larry has a fractured toe - it's pretty swollen. They were able to get me in today which was awesome but, doesn't happen often .. usually have to wait a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniffy Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 Hello everyone, I'm reviving this older thread because I recently adopted again (will post to Introductions soon!) and am looking for a vet just west of Boston. We had a greyhound a while ago (Twiggy RIP), and her vet has since retired. I see the above recommendations for Dedham, but I'm looking more in area roughly between Cambridge and Waltham. Will drive farther if necessary of course, but would prefer a greyhound-experienced vet in this area. So far there are a few well-rated practices nearby but I want to get GT recommendations! Anyone in the area? Would love to hear about your vet experiences. Thanks! Quote Was a subscriber in the mid 2000s (the aughts!). Reactivated in 2021. What'd I miss? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 Check with the greyhound groups in the area and see if they will share who they are using. Meanwhile, I am still using Dedham Vet but consult with Dr. Couto as necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniffy Posted May 27, 2021 Share Posted May 27, 2021 Thanks MaryJane. I actually realized (I'm a little bit slow ) there is a pinned thread with an extensive list of Greytalk recommended vets (which is exactly what I was looking for, but as I said I'm a bit slow). While the list dates back a few years, I see that the Porter Square Vet in Somerville still lists the two vets on their website as actively practicing, so I will inquire there first. If that doesn't work out, I will reach out to rescue groups in the area (although I'm not sure how many are actively operating near me. Stanley comes from out of state). Thanks again Quote Was a subscriber in the mid 2000s (the aughts!). Reactivated in 2021. What'd I miss? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnsliz Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Dr Couts at VCA Wakefield. He is from Ohio and studied with DR Guilliard who pioneered the Flexor Tenotomy procedure. Very greyhound experienced. We had the procedure done 2 weeks ago. He is also a very sweet man💕 Quote <p>Finn, Wink, Birdie, Snap and SmokeyJG Quicknfast 7/25/99-5/16/08, JG Quickwink 7/25/99-9/22/13, Iruska SweetDuv 7/19/03-11/9/16, Delbar 6/11/11 and Catahoula Smokey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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