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

[BG and Gavin]

Yep, after reading your last comment I went and clipped Gavin's nails and inspected them.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You Go Girl!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks for the reminder Joanne. Going to clip Darwin's nails now. Also - I'm glad to hear that toe seems to be improving.

[Kristin Foti]

Hope everything goes ok!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry you and Spud are going through this. Hope you can get an answer. 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Joanne, I'm so sorry you and Spud are going through all of this and hopefully things will start to turn around and get better! I am certainly taking your advice and cutting Libby's toe nails down.  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Spreading to another toe?  Oh no.  Poor Spud and poor you.  I am sure that your treatments will result in healing toes for Spud.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It is finally draining. It must have opened up last night and what I saw before I left for work was a real mess.  Looking better tonight. Although there are blisters on an the next toe, I think we may have turned the corner as those do not look any worse.   I do think he will loose both toe nails now as the coloring on those two toes are completely different than his others.   I certainly have learned my lessons.

Nail hygiene is a must, no matter  how much your dog protests.  From what I have been reading, if a playful dog stubs a toe, it can result in many months of care.  It is also serious for dogs to have these feet infections.  So, get clipping out there  OR pay someone to get this done

[F, Calla & Luca]

Draining is very good!

[Donna K & Quincy]

I hope Spud's toe infection has turned the corner and is on the road to healing. The fact that it is draining is good and will help get rid of the infection. 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Joanne, I'm so happy to hear Spud's toe is draining.  Wishing for continued improvement.

With our former dog I used to travel 45 miles one way to the vet to get his nails trimmed every two weeks.  He had to be muzzled and my DH had to hold him down for the vet tech to do the clipping.  It was easier having them do it than for us to try at home.  I use a Dremel on Haley's nails ever couple of days and just do a little each time.

[Bonnie and Kona]

So grateful to hear you are seeing an improvement. xo