Infected Nail...I Hope....Updated.

[Sarah and Willow]

Here's the Update!

So I drove the 60 miles to the nearest vet, and she was a very straight forward lady. I liked her. She was not concerned about her foot at all, not about infection, foxtails, or anything at this point. She said she could prescribe me a thirty dollar tiny bottle of topical cream, or I could buy some Neosporin or hydrocortisone cream. She thinks something irritated her foot, maybe a bug bite, and Willow's licking has irritated it even more so. My rx was to keep her from licking her foot and to try some hydrocortisone. If in a week there is no improvement, I am to go back to try some antibiotics.

So a two hour trip to "town" and a small fee for the examination was well worth putting my mind at ease! And I like this new vet! My last one, I imagine, would have gone ahead and lanced her foot, prescribed antibiotics and expensive cream, and done a fecal smear test for good measure ;)

Thank you all for being concerned along with me! It's nice to have support.

Hello All,

Last Thursday, we noticed Willow's toe was really, really pink! And she must have been licking it like crazy because it has very little hair left! I looked it over, and cannot find any opening, like a puncture or cut. I have been putting ointment and an antiseptic spray on it all weekend. She has been very good during the day at not licking off the medicine. Although at night I'll wake up to her licking it and try to deter it. I am going to make a vet appointment tomorrow, but my biggest worry is it being a foxtail burr. I'm hoping someone may ease my mind today and have any experience with infected nail beds and think this may be the cause?? 

The pictures I have, she has ointment smeared on her toe. And there is still no pus or anything. Not limping, still very energetic and good appetite. It has so far, not gotten any worse, or better...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Looks like you got a lot of great advice. good luck with Willow.

[Emily]

I do not have experience with fox tails but my Doodle gets dermatitis during the spring when all the dandelions are going nuts! Each spring for the past three springs she will get one itchy raw spot. If she can lick or bite it, she will. Mostly scratches it bloody. Just last month I posted our problem. It was sad. The vet was not sure if it was a seasonal allergy this time or if she was bit or stung and from scratching it-a dirty toe nail caused the flare up. The antibiodics they gave helped a little but she would not stop scratching and biting so I had to take her in a second time. They gave her a huge shot of steroid and another antibiodic via injection which made things much much better. I have a spray to apply but if the spot is red and tender it stings BAD. I only use it once the skin returns to normal color so it won't cause pain. I am interested to know what the vet says tomorrow. I hope it is an easy fix.

[Sarah and Willow]

My vet never mentioned "dermatitis" exactly, but she basically stated it was an inflammation due to Willow licking.

I have some steroid cream from my daughter's atopic dermatitis, I was going to call the vet back to see if that would be a good cream to try out. It probably is the same pricey steroid cream she was going to prescribe. I will call tomorrow.

Thank you for your response. I will be vigilant on keeping Willow's tongue away from her paw :)

[Emily]

did she use the term "hot spot"? My dog has had dermatitis but recently had her first "hot spot" and then it got dermatitis from the scratching. 

The vet said both are horribly itchy..like poison ivy but 100x worse.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Waiting for your news

[Sarah and Willow]

All is well! Nothing major. I posted an update. Thank you for the support and advice :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sounds good, and I like the new vet too, lol! Peace of mind is worth everything! I hope Willow's toe gets better soon!

[Sarah and Willow]

Thank you :)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I'm glad to hear that Willow is fine and there is nothing majorly wrong.  It always such a relief to hear.  But we just love our Doodles so much and you can't be too careful.  Try putting a baby or kid sock on with the medical wrap around it.  That should keep her from licking.  Keep us posted on her recovery!!