Lame puppy update

Luci07

Luci07

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Firstly, I really appreciate all of you who have taken the time to respond, share experiences and offer advice. I had a long chat with my vet and went back with Bella yesterday. So, opening up the paw is the last option. Paw is now showing a bump though not really sore (bear in mind this has been going on for nearly a month). Next steps. Madam is now on a full course of antibiotics, then will try physio (number of you have suggested this), then 2nd opinion with operation as the last resort. Thanks again, it really is appreciated.
 
Luci07 said:
Firstly, I really appreciate all of you who have taken the time to respond, share experiences and offer advice. I had a long chat with my vet and went back with Bella yesterday. So, opening up the paw is the last option. Paw is now showing a bump though not really sore (bear in mind this has been going on for nearly a month). Next steps. Madam is now on a full course of antibiotics, then will try physio (number of you have suggested this), then 2nd opinion with operation as the last resort. Thanks again, it really is appreciated.
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Interesting that the paw is now showing a bump. My first thoughts then was possible grass seed? But then thought it would be sore if there was something in it!? Hope pup is soon feeling better xx
 
Hm, yes a bump but how big and where. Foreign bodies I would usually suspect if there is an opening for it to get in to - and perhaps some heat. This time of year is common for grass seed injuries, but typically between the toes. Sometimes in the oxters or even behind the ear. Usually the dog is worrying at it as well.

Hope you get it sorted out
 
On top of the paw. Vet keeps saying it's like a grass seed injury, but pup is not overly sore and there is no heat..
 
I've followed this and until now, was unsure whether to offer my thoughts. The problem, of course, is that firstly, those of us giving layman's opinions, are not qualified, really, and secondly, without the foot in front of us, it's very difficult for anyone to do anything, but guess!

Several points for you, OP; if nothing shows up under x/ray, then the idea of 'opening up' the foot, would fill me with alarm. The foot is rather like the olfactory system, and surgery very rarely proves to be of any use, in fact sometimes the damage done can exceed the benefits, which will probably explain your vet's reticence (for which you should be grateful!!).

Reading between the lines, your vet's thoughts sound perfectly feasible. Grass seeds can all so easily work their way up in to the tarsal (or is it metatarsal? beyond the nail, anyway) area. Were it a grass seed though, I'd expect heat, and an obvious inflammation, unless of course, it's been an inflammation which you've missed (I've missed them), and there has been a build up of 'matter', around the grass seed, that's always possible. Is it solid or soft? Does it appear to be inflamed? Any chance of a decent pic?

Again, and as your vet, I'd be loathe to open up the foot, and if there's no ready or obvious answer, and if it isn't bothering the animal, then I'd probably leave it alone.

Will you let us know, 'if' there's an outcome?

Alec.
 
As a groomer I see all sorts of weird and wonderful things when dealing with dogs feet - and until I started working with a vet, I often would be forced to merely point it out to the owner (who had a 50% rate of actually getting it checked out, and then I might have a 10% chance of actually HEARING anything about it later).

So when I once had a wee BANDY LEGGED yorkie come to me for grooming with what looked to be interdigital cysts between the toes visible from the top, I quizzed the vet. Looking at the dog's leg conformation, he turned the foot over to inspect and then worked a bunch of dirt and grit out from the top of the foot out thru a small hole in the dog's webbing from under the foot. Hard to explain, but he basically emptied out a wee sac-ful of foreign bodies out of the foot by manipulating it.

I was amazed by this little (and when you think about it - OBVIOUS?) thing. Apparently on a bandy legged dog, the way the foot travels will often force dirt in between the pads - which then are splaying the toes and this dirt/grit travels as more dirt and grit are being forced in. This dog had three or four such areas like this in both front feet. It was uncomfortable to get out - but there was no heat but the dog did have a mechanical lameness of sorts before hand.

Food for thought.
 
I do wonder if the fact that pup has been on 2 courses of rimadyl would have meant that the inflammation etc would not have shown. She does seem a little better though still lame but is only on day 3 of her antibiotics. I was debating how practical (and feasible) it would be to actually politice her foot though. Lump is hard and quite large. I will try to upload a photo as well.
 
Wot, NO Pic?! :D

Whilst P_NP's offering makes perfect sense, I would think that for 'matter' to accumulate, that would happen over some time, and would be unlikely in a puppy's foot. Don't know though!

If the lump is on top of the foot, I'm assuming that it's over a digit, so would I be right? If I am, then I would be tempted, under a GA, to slip a scalpel in, and see what comes out. Mind you, that's because I'm an inveterate 'picker', so be guided by your vet!!

Let us now how you progress, please.

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
Wot, NO Pic?! :D

Whilst P_NP's offering makes perfect sense, I would think that for 'matter' to accumulate, that would happen over some time, and would be unlikely in a puppy's foot. Don't know though!

If the lump is on top of the foot, I'm assuming that it's over a digit, so would I be right? If I am, then I would be tempted, under a GA, to slip a scalpel in, and see what comes out. Mind you, that's because I'm an inveterate 'picker', so be guided by your vet!!

Let us now how you progress, please.

Alec.
Click to expand...

Not as much time as you'd maybe think if the conditions are right apparently. The yorkie I saw was groomed three months before I saw the build up - it was over the winter when the grit was at its worst. If this was a tiny puppy, I'd say "eh, not likely" but if it's a 9 month old pup with the right type of confo, I'd be inclined to check it out!
 
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