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

[F, Calla & Luca]

The health and medical group would be good. But on line pictures are really not adequate and when something looks suspicious and bad a trip to the vet is best.

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

OUCH!! I'm just now seeing the new pics and they make my toe hurt just thinking about the force with which he "stubbed" it. I'm curious about the laundry soap soaking. Is it to make sure it's clean deep down or is there healing benefits? Sure do hope everything heals fast!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

A few of you asked about the Laundry Soap vs. Epsom Salts. I was also curious.

The senior vet saw us yesterday and he has been a vet longer than I have been alive ( and I'm old ), but this man knows his stuff and knew right away, coming from experience, exactly what this was, what caused it, and what to do. He may also be old school?   Or knows a lot more than I do~ of course, about how to treat a dog's paw.

My thoughts are that Epsom Salts is toxic, can cause diarrhea, used for vomiting, among other bad side effects. Dogs LICK!  But, a dog licking soap may cause the same side effects?  Right?

Epsom salts and toxicity

No clue as to why.  I love Epsom Salts and did try this today also.  It was impossible to get him to stop licking. But, I have a lot of socks to put on his foot after a soak. 

As for diarrhea, he would be out in that muddy yard all day and I don't want that either. With these antibiotics, I already hear a rumble tummy.  Darn.  If it is not one thing, another.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I suspect laundry detergent is just a food cleanser and that is why he suggested it. I would rinse with plain water afterwards.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I just remember when daughter number one had very bad ingrown toenails on both feet with severe infection I was told by the surgeon to soak her feet in washing up liquid every day for half an hour....old school, same principal I reckon.  

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Nicky,

My mom had surgery in December.  It was a large and long incision and one area was not healing at the wrist area ( too much movement)   She was also told to take a wash cloth with soapy dish soap to cleanse the area-dab dab.,  Then a cool rinse cloth.  Do nothing else.

Some of those ointments really break down the skin~ thus the reasoning?   Is it the new thing or just the old way coming back to popularity?   Both I assume

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

How to Soak a Dog's Feet in Epsom Salts

By Jamie Conrad, eHow Contributor , last updated September 16, 2012

How to Soak a Dog's Feet in Epsom Salts

Dogs are rambunctious animals and sometimes that can get them hurt. If your dog has an injured paw, it is imperative to treat that wound to rid it of dirt, debris and infection. There are many ways to clean and treat injured paws. One of the mosteconomical and simplest ways to do so is to give the injured paw (or paws) a soak in an Epsom-salt solution. The Epsom salts assist in drawing out any infection that could potentially harm your dog.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• Bucket (1 gallon capacity or more)
• 1 gallon warm water

Instructions

1. • 1

     Measure 1/2 cup Epsom salt and pour it into the bucket.

   • 2

     Fill the bucket with 1 gallon of warm water.

   • 3

     Stir the Epsom salt and water with a large spoon or other stirring utensil until the salt dissolves into a solution.

   • 4

     Place the dog's paw into the solution (do more than one paw if your dog is small enough for this, or if you have a large dog, you may need to soak one at a time). Soak the dog's injured paw or paws in the solution for 5-10 minutes. Hold your dog to help him stay steady (he may not want to put weight onto his injured paw). Depending on the temperament of the dog and the severity of the infection, it may be helpful to have the assistance of another person to help hold your dog during a paw soak.

   • 5

     Remove the dog's paw(s) from the solution and gently dry with a clean towel.

   • 6

     Repeat this process 2-4 times daily until the condition of the paw or paws improves.

Read more: How to Soak a Dog's Feet in Epsom Salts | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5876397_soak-dog_s-feet-epsom-salts.html#ix...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

7. Place sock on dogs paw and sit with him for another hour so he does not lick it all over again to try and dry the area  :)   LOL

These directions  are great, Linda. It really is not as hard as I thought it would be, just very time consuming. 

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

Yes, very time consuming and I do remember treats being right by the bucket as we soaked and got doggie massages. He may get diarrhea anyway from the antibiotic, so can you add some fat-free plain yogurt to his food. Follow Karens directions of timing of yogurt and antibiotic 2 hours apart.

[Carol and Banjo]

Joanne,   How is that paw looking today?   Thinking of you guys and hoping you're beginning to see some improvements!  (((Hugs)))) from Banjo and I!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I was told it looked better.  It really is hard to keep a puppy down on the first beautiful day.  I rid the yard of toys except one larger ball~ mistake. 

I thought it would be much better by now but was also told I'm a little impatient  :)   This afternoon, it was oozing blood. Don't know if it is just the skin breaking down, he stubbed it again, or just healing.  I don't remember having a dog that I had to keep quiet. Not easy.

This morning after soakStill a pocket of infection there on the right. I think something is in there but I will not go looking

This afternoon after he was caught running through the yard with the ball

That  nail.. well I don't think it will last much longer. 

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

I just feel it is broken off inside somehow and it growing out is going to keep it tender for awhile. Hope they don't have to go in and remove it. It does look like the nail will be lost but another might grow back. It looks better to me.