Sigh...Max hurt his toe

[RockyMountainDobies]

Well the first full day in the new house and we already have an injury. Im about 95% sure Max twisted his left hind outside toe. You can see his toe is visibly swollen, and he hasnt been putting weight on it today. He is walking on the other side of his foot if he has to use it at all.

Should I rush to the vet or wait and see how he is doing tomorrow? Alot of the info Im reading online says that for non-weight baring toes, not to splint or cast and just keep him quiet and pain meds, what do you guys think? Advice please....

[Hounds_N_Leo]

I'd soak him in Epsom salts...warm soak at least twice a day...and do cage rest before heading to the vet. You can also do buffered aspirin...check online for the dosage.

eta: 5-15mgs/lb every 12 hours, what we do here, is split it and call it 10mgs a lb.

[RockyMountainDobies]

Thanks Gina, thats what my gut was telling me too.

[Hounds_N_Leo]

just be sure to inspect that the nail on the toe is fine. Broken or cracked nails that have access to the quick can become infected and they DO need to be seen by a vet. Make sure to turn the foot over and check for cuts, open skin etc even under and between the pads on the affected foot. Any point of entry for infection on a foot should be seen to just because it's easily overlooked until it's almost out of hand. But if everything is air tight I don't see any harm in waiting a day an administering some treatment.

For the epsom soak I always use a bowl or deep pitcher. The dog can stand up and I put one foot in the pitcher or bowl. If they try to take it out...hold up the OPPOSITE leg. They will by reflex put down the one they're trying to hold up. This is handy info. You'll want to soak at least 10-15 minutes and be sure the water is nice n warm.

[Delynnr]

Poor Max! I hope it is just a minor sprain and the soak helps it. Was he running around like a mad dog exploring the new property?

[Itsapyr]

Yikes poor toes. I was going to say the same as Gina to make sure the nail is OK.

[SapheraGirl]

Hope Max's toe heals quickly

[Lora]

Hows his toe?

[RockyMountainDobies]

The nail is ok, but I will keep a close eye on it. He has been really quiet today and I gave him some metacam, which seemed to help a little but he is still just laying around, you can tell it hurts to use it. Luckily I dont have to crate him to keep him still, so for now we are just going to leash him to go out and potty, then back inside to rest. My poor guy, I have never seen him like this and it breaks my heart. I know when I hurt my toe two years ago, it took many weeks to heal, Im sure it will be the same for him.

[krb0471]

Poor Max. Hope he heals quick, it's no fun being lame.

[Yeti_Girl]

feel better max!

[Truman's Mom]

*ears scratches* feel better Max

[leomom]

Hope the toe is better!

[bren]

Poor guy! Hope he is feeling better today.

[MuttleyCrew]

Getcher toe to feeling better Max! xo

[NickandNora'smom]

Poor Max! How's he doing now? Nora sends out her sympathies, too, since she can relate!

[ToBScholarly]

well? how is it?

[RockyMountainDobies]

My boy is still gimping along, not as swollen but still enough to noticeably bother him. I have a feeling it will take a few weeks before he is back to normal. Carmela, how long did it take Nora to heal? And was it a weight bearing toe that she broke?

[sam.i.am]

Poor boy! I hope Max feels better quickly!!

[RockyMountainDobies]

Max seems to be doing much better, still favoring his foot but much better. I dont think he broke it just really banged it up. On the brighter side, he hasnt gotten into the rocks that we couldnt keep him off of before. Which is the reason his toe was hurt in the first place.