Update On Kevin's Toe

[Guest LindsaySF]

Well the bone fragments being well-aligned is good news at least, less likely to need surgery. You'll have to see if they shift at all. Do they think he injured a tendon in the toe, or a tendon in the leg?

 

Good luck at the ortho!

[AEB]

Well the bone fragments being well-aligned is good news at least, less likely to need surgery. You'll have to see if they shift at all. Do they think he injured a tendon in the toe, or a tendon in the leg?

 

Good luck at the ortho!

 

Thanks Lindsay. They did not say anything about his tendons, but if I snapped a toe like that I'm sure other things would be sore too. Please give Chase a kiss for me.

 

Healing thoughts for Kevin, if you can. 6:45pm appointment.

[AEB]

we're back from the ortho. kev is now in a custom fiberglass splint. he seems more comfy. cried when they put it on. the toe is quite swollen. but he seems happier with his new splint. dr said the type of break is not one for surgery. So, 4-8 weeks in a splint. At least he'll be more comfy now.

 

Here's the patient in his new splint:

(Edited to add: Look how his eyes match his splint!)

Edited October 11, 2011 by AEB

[Remolacha]

That looks much more comfortable! He looks much happier, too

[Guest madredhare]

Oh he definitely looks much happier now! Probably a lot more comfortable too. Bless his heart!

[AEB]

That looks much more comfortable! He looks much happier, too

 

Yes, we think he is happier. He is easily roaching and is getting silly and air-snapping. Getting too silly, you can tell he wants to run. I gated him into the bedroom and he started crying. I am not sure if he is in pain because he can move the leg more, or if he was just PO'd because he was gated-in. He will miss using that big metal paddle as a shovel to help fling dirt after he potties!

[AEB]

Bumping this to do an update. Kevin had a bandage change Monday and had developed a small sore between his toes. I noticed he had been fussy. He seemed much better after the change. I asked if he had any other sores. I was told no.

 

He had a rough night thursday. So Friday morning I got an appointment for an examination and change of bandage. When the bandage was removed he cried a lot and it turns out he developed a bunch of sores since Monday. One really big one on his knee joint and it was oozing like crazy. I asked them to x-ray and the bones are not showing much healing yet- 4 weeks out. they bandaged him in a soft bandage - no more splint.

 

And I am now doing daily bandage changes of the soft bandage. He is on anti-biotics and we have silvedine to put on the wounds. Tonight I changed it and it almost looks like you can see the bone in the sore. It could be ointment or pus, but it looked even worse than yesterday. The large pad was soaked with blood and pus. I am beside myself. The two vets won't even talk to me about amp until we put him through another 4 weeks of this. I don't know what to do. I am thinking I will make an appointment with our regular vet Monday and show him how bad the sore is. Poor thing. I am sick to my stomach.

[BauersMom]

Ugh. Unfortunately, I would be more surprised if that DIDN'T happen with that splint, honestly.

 

I'm sorry. It is frustrating, especially when vets want to continue with the wraps.

[Batmom]

Ow .

 

Pus or clear fluid?

 

Could be a tendon or some other tissue you're seeing. Hope so anyways. If there's no infection, it will likely heal. Your best revenge is to mess with it as little as possible -- once it stops draining so much, leave the bandage (with a big glob of silvadene) in place for 2-3 days if you can.

 

If you don't see improvement in another day or so, might be worth a trip to a different vet??

 

Hugs and best luck.

[AEB]

Ow .

 

Pus or clear fluid?

 

Could be a tendon or some other tissue you're seeing. Hope so anyways. If there's no infection, it will likely heal. Your best revenge is to mess with it as little as possible -- once it stops draining so much, leave the bandage (with a big glob of silvadene) in place for 2-3 days if you can.

 

If you don't see improvement in another day or so, might be worth a trip to a different vet??

 

Hugs and best luck.

 

Green fluid. It's nasty. there's probably some infection. He's got the silvedine and cephalexin pills. We'll take him Monday to our vet who hasn't been involved since 2 days after this happened. Maybe I'll see them (local and we trust them) until 4 weeks from now, if we make it that long. Hopefully things will heal quickly and well. I did a lighter bandage not as tight as I should have tonight at the expense of support to try to get more air in there.

 

So, Batmom, you think I should bandage daily until the big wound stops oozing and then do 2-3 days between changes? Makes sense.

 

 

And we have never complained about vet bills, but we've spent nearly 1K so far on this injury and I feel my dog is worse off because no one would listen to me. I find it hard to believe that that big sore wasn't there Monday. Forgive me if I am ranting- I'm just very upset and feeling helpless.

[BauersMom]

It is very likely the sore wasn't there Monday - they can get huge in a short period of time.

 

Friction is your enemy with sores. Depending on where the sore is, a loose wrap may be worse off. Hard to say in your case.

 

Green goop while on ATBs would have me concerned, too. I would have him seen by your local vet and see what they say.

Edited October 29, 2011 by BauersMom

[Batmom]

Green goop not so good. Drat. Cephalexin should take care of that tho.

 

Yeah, bandage changes once or twice a day until it quits oozing so, then less if possible. Don't worry about the air getting to it. If you've got silvadene in there, moist is great.

[AEB]

It is very likely the sore wasn't there Monday - they can get huge in a short period of time.

 

Friction is your enemy with sores. Depending on where the sore is, a loose wrap may be worse off. Hard to say in your case.

 

Green goop while on ATBs would have me concerned, too. I would have him seen by your local vet and see what they say.

 

I know the wrap should tighter. But it seems to be staying in place. I will change it in the morning to make sure things aren't sliding around and put cotton between his toes (forgot tonight) and to put a bigger gob of silvedine on it. Then I will probably leave it on until we see the vet Monday unless he is uncomfortable. We also ordered him a plastic splint like in the prior thread. I am going to discuss with the vet doing a lighter bandage and using the splint when he's moving around. He hops on 3 legs luckily but balances on it a bit when lifting his leg (he just HAS to lift his leg!).

 

Green goop not so good. Drat. Cephalexin should take care of that tho.

 

Yeah, bandage changes once or twice a day until it quits oozing so, then less if possible. Don't worry about the air getting to it. If you've got silvadene in there, moist is great.

 

He can wait until Monday to be seen, right? I am very worried about him. Green is never good. I sure hope the antibiotics get him healing quick.

 

Anyone have any idea how long it will take to close this deep dime-sozed hole?

[TwiggysMom]

If he's developed a large sore with green goop while he's already on cephalexin, I would definitely get it cultured right away, because he's not on the right antibiotic. The culture will take several days to a week to generate results, all the while nothing is treating it or keeping it from getting worse.

 

Of course, I'm really gunshy about infections now because Twiggy had a several different infections in two surgical sites each of which were unusual and very antibiotic-resistant. One of them required a 5-day hospital stay and 2 surgeries to repair (although it finally did heal beautifully).

 

Good luck!

[AEB]

If he's developed a large sore with green goop while he's already on cephalexin, I would definitely get it cultured right away, because he's not on the right antibiotic. The culture will take several days to a week to generate results, all the while nothing is treating it or keeping it from getting worse.

 

Of course, I'm really gunshy about infections now because Twiggy had a several different infections in two surgical sites each of which were unusual and very antibiotic-resistant. One of them required a 5-day hospital stay and 2 surgeries to repair (although it finally did heal beautifully).

 

Good luck!

 

 

He just got put on Cephalexin yesterday and has only had 3 doses. He developed the sore before being on the antibiotic. I think he'll be ok til Monday (we're also having a big snow storm here tonight into tomorrow). He seems comfortable. He has that leg resting on me right now. I am not sure how long to give the antibiotic to start working.

 

 

[TwiggysMom]

If he's developed a large sore with green goop while he's already on cephalexin, I would definitely get it cultured right away, because he's not on the right antibiotic. The culture will take several days to a week to generate results, all the while nothing is treating it or keeping it from getting worse.

 

Of course, I'm really gunshy about infections now because Twiggy had a several different infections in two surgical sites each of which were unusual and very antibiotic-resistant. One of them required a 5-day hospital stay and 2 surgeries to repair (although it finally did heal beautifully).

 

Good luck!

 

 

He just got put on Cephalexin yesterday and has only had 3 doses. He developed the sore before being on the antibiotic. I think he'll be ok til Monday (we're also having a big snow storm here tonight into tomorrow). He seems comfortable. He has that leg resting on me right now. I am not sure how long to give the antibiotic to start working.

 

Ah, well that's a different story, then! Still, I'll be sending healing thoughts for Kevin; it's got to be frustrating for you to watch him be sore and not seeming to get better for so long.

[AEB]

 

Ah, well that's a different story, then! Still, I'll be sending healing thoughts for Kevin; it's got to be frustrating for you to watch him be sore and not seeming to get better for so long.

 

We thank you. Ok, I thank you as Kevin is asleep on my lap. Thanks to everyone. I just fear he'll go through 8 weeks of this and won't heal. I even worry he could lose his whole leg as a result of these sores.

 

Does anyone think he will develop more being in just a soft wrap?

[Guest madredhare]

We went through something similar to this with Sadie. Her sore came from when she dislocated her toe and it cut the one next to it. She got out of the bandage when the toe was healed, then developed the infection. She can't take any anti-biotics, the make her deathly ill and she has heart problems. We went to a specialist and they put her under and cleaned it all out good and put her in a splint to keep the toe from pulling open. We went for daily splint changes because I was so worried about infection. I made sure every time that they got gauze between each of her toes. I hope Kevin gets better soon. I know how worried you are. Sadie sends some kisses his way!

[AEB]

We went through something similar to this with Sadie. Her sore came from when she dislocated her toe and it cut the one next to it. She got out of the bandage when the toe was healed, then developed the infection. She can't take any anti-biotics, the make her deathly ill and she has heart problems. We went to a specialist and they put her under and cleaned it all out good and put her in a splint to keep the toe from pulling open. We went for daily splint changes because I was so worried about infection. I made sure every time that they got gauze between each of her toes. I hope Kevin gets better soon. I know how worried you are. Sadie sends some kisses his way!

 

Thank you! I'll let Kevin know. The specialist (ortho) is the one who has seen him the last 3 times. But he has tolerated antibiotics well in the recent past. Was on 6 weeks of Cephalexin this summer. So, I hope it just heals-up well. He's a young, healthy dog. I can't imagine going through this with a senior. I am seriously considering no more dogs after Kevin because when they are hurting it is SO upsetting to me. I'm glad Sadie is better now!

[JJNg]

Sorry to hear about the complications you're having with Kevin's foot. Hope his sores heal up as quickly as possible.

 

I asked them to x-ray and the bones are not showing much healing yet- 4 weeks out.

Just wanted to mention that toe fractures don't always heal up to where the bone look fully healed on x-rays. But if the area is stable and non-painful, you don't always have to address it further. Some surgeons say that you don't even need to repeat x-rays on toe fractures because they can be misleading, and the important thing is clinical improvement.

 

Can you tell if the broken toe is feeling more stable on palpation? Is there callus formation (a hard swelling created by the healing bone) in the area? Once the sores heal up, if he walks normally on the foot and doesn't limp, it may be healed enough that you won't need to do any more with it.

[AEB]

Sorry to hear about the complications you're having with Kevin's foot. Hope his sores heal up as quickly as possible.

 

I asked them to x-ray and the bones are not showing much healing yet- 4 weeks out.

Just wanted to mention that toe fractures don't always heal up to where the bone look fully healed on x-rays. But if the area is stable and non-painful, you don't always have to address it further. Some surgeons say that you don't even need to repeat x-rays on toe fractures because they can be misleading, and the important thing is clinical improvement.

 

Can you tell if the broken toe is feeling more stable on palpation? Is there callus formation (a hard swelling created by the healing bone) in the area? Once the sores heal up, if he walks normally on the foot and doesn't limp, it may be healed enough that you won't need to do any more with it.

 

Jennifer that is great information! The toe looks much less swollen but is a bit bigger than the others. I have not touched it much. I can try when I change the bandage this morning. But it does seem more stable to me. He is not putting any weight on it because of the wrap. The big test will be once the wrap is off and the sores are healed. I worry about arthritis. I am not sure what I can do to help with that. Will PT help?

 

 

[JJNg]

I worry about arthritis. I am not sure what I can do to help with that. Will PT help?

Do you know if the fractures went into the joints? Arthritis usually only happens secondary to a fracture if it involved the joint. So if Kevin got lucky, and there was no joint involvement, that may not be an issue. However, with multiple fractures in a toe, chances are that either one or both joints was affected.

 

I'm dealing with arthritis in multiple toes with my boy Wiki, and I find that for the most part, it doesn't interfere much with normal activity. He runs and plays and rarely limps at all. For long term maintenance, I just have him on joint supplements. Laser therapy can also help.

[AEB]

I worry about arthritis. I am not sure what I can do to help with that. Will PT help?

Do you know if the fractures went into the joints? Arthritis usually only happens secondary to a fracture if it involved the joint. So if Kevin got lucky, and there was no joint involvement, that may not be an issue. However, with multiple fractures in a toe, chances are that either one or both joints was affected.

 

I'm dealing with arthritis in multiple toes with my boy Wiki, and I find that for the most part, it doesn't interfere much with normal activity. He runs and plays and rarely limps at all. For long term maintenance, I just have him on joint supplements. Laser therapy can also help.

 

I will ask my vet tomorrow but the fracture seemed to go right up to the joint where it enters his foot. No one has said to me that it broke in the joint. i think it might not have and that's why he was not a good candidate for any surgery- little toe bone shattered and not the joint. But I will verify. Supplements are a good idea- hadn't thought of those as he's not even 4 yet. I have some springtime fresh factors and some conquer k-9. I can also ask about PT and laser therapy. If it can help we are willing to try. I'll update later after the bandage change.

[AEB]

Tonight's update: I changed his bandage and it still looks terrible but there was much less blood and pus. maybe 1/3 of yesterday's. We think that yellow in the hole might be pus. I hope so. I globbed some silvedine on it and spread some on the pad. I wrapped it tighter and higher. It wasn't easy to get some cotton between the toes and I hope I did ok. Left the space next to the broken toe alone.

 

He hasn't cried since Friday when he went into the soft bandage. Tonight he was running (with all 4 legs!) in the house and we had to get in his way and yell at him until my husband could bundle-up and take him on his second walk of the day. He had a long one earlier in the day and he was tired afterward. But he had a ton of energy tonight. So I hope this is a good sign. We'll make the appointment with the vet tomorrow and maybe they can clean it up and put my mind at ease.

 

I do see him stretching it more and using it for balance. He actually almost tried to stand on it a little tonight.

 

Thank you again everyone for your help and your concern for Kevin.

[Guest madredhare]

Sounds like he is doing better. That's good news! I saw someone on Facebook using Manuka Honey on a greyhound for an infection between his toes. Not sure if that person is a GTer or not. I thought that was pretty interesting.