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

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It really was no longer red until today, when his foot was shaven and aggravated by examination.  I think he was nicked by the shavers. He really was NOT very nice at this appointment.  Not at all.  It took 3 people to hold him still.

It is again red now, but most of the week it seemed to be... unremarkable except for deformed/black/blue. 

He can jump!   Still  :)   So, I thought we were actually getting better.

His nail seems to be broke off inside at the base

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Poor Spud! I'm so glad he saw the vet. I hope the meds work quickly and that toe is soon looking and feeling a whole lot better! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am glad you went to the vet since I did think this might be an infection. In people it's called a paronychia. and it hurts when it is so swollen. The antibiotic should do the trick. Tell Spud he's a trouper.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I'm wondering if I caused this by washing his feet so often.  Every time he comes in from the outdoors, I soak his paws in a soapy solution to get the mud off.  So, he is constantly getting wet. Even though I towel dry them, they have been pretty wet lately  :(

It says in this particular article, ....The inflammation results in debris that builds up, encouraging more infection. It mainly occurs in people who have constantly wet hands...such as hairdressers, nurses, bartenders and housewives.

I know, I have had this myself along the nail beds. It just did not occur to me that this was the problem.

Feel kind of stupid now for not taking him earlier.

[F, Calla & Luca]

But washing and soaking are different. You should dry his feet well when you wash them and that should do it. I never wash feet. If the paws are real muddy it's into the crates to dry off and let the mud fall off. Works like a charm. Otherwise just a wipe.

Usually I think these infections come from a small nick or abrasion in the skin. The bacteria are laying in wait so to speak. often staph is the culprit and they are all around. I don't really understand that first sentence from the article. But whenever you have swelling or clogging infection is more likely. At any rate the antibiotic should do the trick.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes, I should have phrased that, " I dip them in buckets all day long to get the mud off" Not soaking. 

Thanks for all the info. F.   

[F, Calla & Luca]

: )

[Lynda Kamrath]

Joanne - You might try a Shamwow.  I know, I know, it sounds stupid, but we have definitely put them to use with drying the dogs legs and feet (which seem to be washed every time we go for a walk).  You know, dirty dogs are one thing if outside and another thing if in your bed!  So we do lots of washing also.  She Shamwow is a shammy-type material which you just have to squeeze to dry out.  It really does remove most of the moisture from their hair.  If you haven't tried them, give it a try.  We love ours and you just wrap them around the leg and squeeze.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Lynda, I had a Shamwow for many years. I bought it when Spud went to his first IDOG romp in 2009.  I have no idea where it is now but yes, it worked great on a wet doodle coat

[Lynette Main]

Those close up pictures are awful.It looks painful. Hope healing is soon...

[BG and Gavin]

Aww poor guy.  Glad he got to the vet and is on his way to healing.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Poor guy, I hope it heals up quickly now that he has meds.