UPDATE: Look at Spud's Toe, Please

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I have no idea. Hot Spot?  Allergy?  Are allergies presented in just one toe like this or usually a greater area of the paw?   Yesterday is was really much darker than the rest of his skin. I thought it looked bruised.  Blue/black.

My guess it that he stubbed it outside on the lawn debris ~ tree branches, sticks, rocks or he ran into the baseboard when he slides on the wood flooring.  He does this a lot.

 He will play, then suddenly stop and start licking the foot and settle down.

If it was broken, would he still be able to walk?  Dogs are funny that way so who knows.

He did not move much last night because he just would not move~ petrified when I put Antibiotic Ointment  on his toe and wrapped it in a sock.  He was mortified. 

He is eating, drinking, but a bit more ..I'd call him a tad depressed.

UPDATE

We've sat with him all week and he stopped licking the toe and most days it was not ' blood red' but just not right. No worse, no better.  One person was with him at all times, just to get this healed.   It really looked like it was slowly healing.   

You've got to know Spud, even well, HE HATES HIS FEET TOUCHED. 

He ran when he was outside and today he even jumped  off the back of the couch instead of going around. 

I felt pretty stupid making a vet appointment for this afternoon after seeing him act his normal playful self.

Still, we thought we saw more swelling and did we see oozing today? And we were right.

The vet said, and that was one of my guesses, he slammed his toe into something.  Now, the nail bed is infected.  Is there something in there?  We don't know yet.  Most likely, he will loose the entire nail. No big deal. One less for me to try and cut for awhile, I suppose.

He received a shot of Prednisone, and a  6-pack of antibiotics to last until Tuesday's follow-up appointment.  We are to soak it in Laundry detergent 3Xs per day, and clean with alcohol.

After the shaving ( I think he was  nicked) it is red again and you can clearly see a pus pocket or a swollen bump to the side.

Thanks for just being out there  :)

Whew, those are some nasty lookin' feet 

There is some ozzy stuff coming out of this side but I can't capture in pics.  You get the idea though

UPDATE THREE: Final update

The vet was very pleased with Spud's quick progress and our care given at home.  He saw two vets; the first examined, then he called in the vet who had done the work the week before.  Both very happy.

The toe split open many times during the week and drained and now is on to healing.  No swelling, no pain, no follow-up visits.  We are to continue the soaks for 10 days and complete this course of antibiotics.

We really were blaming ourselves as the nail had gotten a bit too long. He said, they were not too bad at all, that this was a splinter issue and he probably stubbed it too.

So here is our plan- each month, along with Heartworm med, he will get a tiny snip to keep them trimmed and the quick drawn back a bit.  An easy schedule to follow and make sure things are on time. 

He also mentioned, he sees some too short, and that will also cause problems.

So everything in moderation.

I want to thank you all for checking up with us ~ good grief, Ann and Mr. Haley wrote me even though her poor boy had an upper GI that day.  My dog certainly lives a much better life because of our DK Community.  My apologies for not answering you all personally, as I have had some other family illnesses to work through this week, but I saw what you wrote and knew you were there!    THANK YOU ALL

One important note to mention here...Osteomyelitis in Dogs

A Dog's claw and the anatomy are not the same as a human. The quick and claw are, in a way, an extension of bone.  In a dog, a claw infection can become a bone infection very quickly.  So, if you see your dog with a red toe, don't wait this one out like I did.  It won't heal with just topical antibiotics. See a vet and get treatment

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Poor boy,. Glad you got some meds for him and hopefully he will start to mend fast. Hugs from us for Spud Doodle XXX

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Ouch, that really looks mean.  Surely it must hurt!!  My son's dog ripped the pad on his foot and soaked it in epsom salt and warm water every day.  It healed right up.  I would think alcohol would sting like crazy.  Betadine or salt water would work wouldn't it?  Poor Spud, I love you!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We shall see.  I understand why, assuming after a soak, the vet wants to draw the rest of the fluids out..Not sure how this will go but I'm doing it now.  If, I can catch him.

As much as I wash his feet, they sure were so dirty.  Clean NOW

[Bonnie and Kona]

OMD The chase is on. Spud, let your DM help you!!! 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Ouch! That has to hurt. Heal fast sweet Spud!

[Sheila & Finnley]

YOWZER'S ! Good thing you took him today. That looks fierce and firey for sure. Poor Spud, hope he heals quickly now he has a treatment plan !

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

It did look like Murphy's nail bed injury, but Spuds looks very infected, poor baby. Great that he is leaving it alone with everyone being able to keep an eye on him. We did soak his foot in hot water from the first sign of redness, although I used Epsom salt, not laundry detergent. That is very interesting. Thanks for the update. Sending healing thoughts your way.

[Carol and Banjo]

Poor Spud!!!!!     This looks terribly sore!   I hope the soaking helps Joanne.  It sounds like you have your hands full for a while.....wish I could help.  : (

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

OMD...ouch Spud!

I am glad you are on antibiotics and the prednisone should help with that swelling. Good luck RJ and FJ, I feel for you all.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry for Spud.  This looks so sore.  I am glad that you have something to do to help it heal. Tell me more about the laundry detergent soak. I never heard this before and want to keep how to use it and what it is supposed to accomplish in my 'bag of tricks.'

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Oh Owie!  that looks like it hurts, poor baby.  Hope it heals up fast now that he is on medicine.  

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Those pictures make this look so painful.  OMD.  I hope he is back to his old self soon!  Is there a place on DK where people can post pictures and then post the vet diagnosis and the treatment?  I think that would be so helpful, I would think.  That way, we could all see what certain things look like (or sound like...as in the video of the kennel cough).  I learn so much here.