Does Kona need a trip to the vet??

[Amy and Kona]

First of all, hope you all had a Great Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Our (nearly) 1 year old Goldendoodle cut his foot last night and we are debating whether he needs a trip to the vet. It is difficult to tell much by the picture but it is on his back right leg/foot on the inside, near his pad (that is the black part). The cut is about 3/4 inches long, 1/8 inch wide and about 1/8 inch deep. We THINK he cut it on a nail when his foot slipped into the side of the couch when he was roughhousing with company. He whined but never bled, which seems very strange. We did not notice anything different until this morning when he was slow to get out of bed (he sleeps in a crate) and slow to get up one other time. He has been hesitant to put weight on it a few times but has been ready to play each time the opportunity has presented itself. That being said, he was ready to play the night we brought him home from getting neutered, so I don't know what kind of indication this is. 

We are concerned that it won't heal properly because of the open wound and depth of the cut as well as the location and keeping it clean. He isn't a big self-groomer, which could be a plus and minus. 

Does anyone have any suggestions? Take him to the vet? Home remedies, etc?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I definitely would fix the nail in the couch too as Linda suggested.  How these guys find this stuff is beyond me! let us know what Vet does.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I agree that a vet visit is a good idea--if the cut  closes up a bit without a vet visit and antibiotics, you could end up with an abscess--and then you would be spending more money. This visit would be an easier fix in the long run and less risky--even if it turns out to be nothing, you will have peace of mind...priceless!

[Patty, Duffy & Oliver]

Amy the vet probably won't commit to anything without seeing the wound first. I am not one to run to the vet for every cut or scratch either (fortunately having a two family members that are vets helps with the small stuff even if they don't live close to me). You still need to watch it closely. From my own experience, if you don't plan on going to the vet, clip the fur away from the cut. Use a good triple antibiotic ointment on it everyday with a clean gauze wrap (this is a must do). Don't use peroxide as it slows healing but use a diluted Betadine solution or plain saline solution and clean it everyday, even if it doesn't look dirty.  Use a sock and some surgical tape to keep him from chewing the gauze off. Don't let him lick it. Don't let him play hard for at least a week or until you notice it is healing. No mud or dirt! If he gets into anything, you need to clean and rewrap it. If his foot does get dirty, you can use a small bucket filled with lukewarm water and betadine and stick his foot in the bucket. Don't rub the dirt or you could be rubbing debris into the wound instead of washing it out. If his foot starts feeling hot, swollen or he refuses to use the foot, you NEED to bite the bullet and get to the vet!  

I agree with Ginny though, vet if you can afford it is the best thing. I've run into a bigger problem in the past by trying to self Dr. my dogs. I had what would have been a $80 visit turn into a $1500 visit because I thought I was smart enough to handle it on my own. 

[Amy and Kona]

Sorry for the delay in responding, we did take Kona to the vet on Saturday morning. The wound needed attention but was not serious. The vet was concerned because the cut was on a joint and was a little swollen. He will be on antibiotics for two weeks - he is excited that he gets peanut butter twice a day for the duration. We just need to clean it and keep an eye on it for now. 

Thank you for your quick responses. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Amy, be sure to give Kona probiotics while he is on antibiotics and for a week or two after.  Plain, unflavored yogurt is the easiest, but you can order Proviable through the Amazon link here on doodlekisses. Be sure that there is at least two hours between the antibiotic and the probiotic.