Puppy - suspected broken toe

[Tronk]

Hello wise HHO dog experts- our 14 week old lab pup had his foot squashed in a door today by accident :-( We took him to the out of hours vet and she suspects that his outer back left toe is broken or dislocated. We have to take him back first thing for an X-ray. Do any of you have any experience of this in puppies and likely treatment? Thank you. We’re all beside ourselves.

 

[oldie48]

Sorry , no personal experience but an elderly dog on a yard I visited had been trodden on by a shod horse and had his leg and the whole foot in plaster having suffered severe injuries. I understand that the prognosis was pretty good so I hope its the same for your young lab. Good luck and try not to worry, these things happen an pups are pretty resilient.

 

[Tronk]

Thank you Oldie, that sounds reassuring. He’s putting weight on it but then holding it up occasionally & whimpering. This is our first dog - and I thought that horses were a worry!!

 

[{97702}]

Lots and lots of experience of broken toes unfortunately as my much-missed greyhound Islay seemed to be predisposed to them! On one occasion, horribly, she was trodden on by my horse and broke her foot

I am an awkward customer and would generally refuse X-rays as the treatment is exactly the same whether the toe is broken or not - lots of padding, and pain killers/anti inflammatories like Metacam. I went by how Islay was reacting really - very limited on-lead exercise initially then building up as the limping/reaction reduced?

Islay always made a good complete recovery I’m sure your pup will be just fine - do keep us updated

 

[Tronk]

Oh thank you Levrier that’s good to hear. He’s just been X-ray’d & as suspected outer toe is fractured :-( Vet has put a bandage on & says keep in the crate for at least 2 weeks...this is going to be a very long 2 weeks for a 14 week puppy :-( He’ll have to wear a lampshade too to stop him chewing bandage. Poor pup.

 

[{97702}]

Gosh that does sound really OTT to me, I was never advised to crate any of mine with broken toes and definitely not for 2 weeks! It hardly seems fair on the poor puppy, or on you lol

Thinking about it one of my mums young spaniels broke his leg and he wasn’t crated for that long as far as I recall? Youngsters heal really quickly and really well because of how their bones are

I hope all goes well and the 2 weeks pass quickly!

 

[twiggy2]

How often are they changing the dressing?

 

[Tronk]

Well we've done 4 hours and I'm already at my wits end!! Poor poor puppy. He's in his crate with a horrible buster/cone collar on to stop him chewing the dressing. Puppy dog eyes are killing me - as is the crying. Twiggy they've said to change the bandage on Friday unless comes off sooner. The vet said he can't even go in his kennel (which has a small run on) for 2 weeks. It's just a very straight forward fracture - is he being OTT? I'm new to this dog business so not yet got the confidence to overrule the vet!!

 

[twiggy2]

I tend to ignore broken toes, but it's not my puppy and I am not a vet.

 

[RalphDpg]

Ralph got his claw stuck in the gap in the decking not long ago. He didnt yelp but when he came in the house he was bleeding. We bathed him in Salt Water for half hour and then went to vets.
Vet told us he may have broken his toe when it got stuck and pulled his claw too much.
After about a week of him yelping when he jumped he now seems fine. Just takes time and nothing really can do other than stop them from biting the toe or nail and lots of cuddles

 

[CrazyMare]

One of our greyhounds broke a toe. Seems greyhounds are prone to it.

She just had limited exercise and anti inflammatories. No bandage, no cast. Healed fine.

 

[SusieT]

Please do not just disregard the vets advice based on a forum - if you are not sure then get a second opinion from an experienced orthopaedic vet.
Rest and support seems reasonable to me.

 

[rara007]

Please do not just disregard the vets advice based on a forum - if you are not sure then get a second opinion from an experienced orthopaedic vet.
Rest and support seems reasonable to me.

This! One fracture is not the same as another, especially in baby open growth plate bones- you're wanting him to have several 'sound' years on this foot presumably. It's quite a different proposition to an adult retired greyhound, and could well even be a different bone and fracture type. What bone is it that is actually broken? Give the vet a call tomorrow and ask if there is a plan B. If there isn't find a plan B vet and see what they suggest.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I had to keep a 9 week old gsd pup similarly restricted after she broke a leg so feel your pain but it is doable, and as you have paid for your vets advice and treatment I would recommend you follow it. You can use the time for lots of bonding and little training exercises with your pup. If its anything like mine she can be out of the crate on lead under strict supervision (i.e. not walking around just sitting next to you), at this time she won't need the cone of shame, and you can try training things like "touch", or hiding a treat in one hand and then the other. Have a look at clicker training for some ideas.

 

[Clodagh]

I had to keep a 9 week old gsd pup similarly restricted after she broke a leg so feel your pain but it is doable, and as you have paid for your vets advice and treatment I would recommend you follow it. You can use the time for lots of bonding and little training exercises with your pup. If its anything like mine she can be out of the crate on lead under strict supervision (i.e. not walking around just sitting next to you), at this time she won't need the cone of shame, and you can try training things like "touch", or hiding a treat in one hand and then the other. Have a look at clicker training for some ideas.

This. And it is important you have a good relationship with your vet and have confidence in them, so give them a chance.

 

[oldie48]

When Stanley needed to wear a cone I got him an inflatable one which was just so much more comfortable and forgiving. It is easier fro them to sleep on too as they an use it like a pillow.

 

[Tronk]

Thanks all. Yes I will heed the vets advice don’t worry as you’re right we paid for it so might as well take it. Things have massively improved- I think yesterday he was howling and crying because he was hungry. We’re allowed to feed as normal now so he’s much happier. We put the cone on overnight but when he’s supervised during the day he has the cone off which is better. Thanks for all the tips and advice. I’m trying to get hold of a comfy inflatable collar but I’m worried he will still be able to chew his hind paw? But I’ll give it a try.

 

[Landcruiser]

Our 12 week old lurcher had his foot trodden on by my horse. He was casted bandaged up for several weeks but I don't remember crating him at all (this was 8 years ago). No lasting effects, he started agility a few months later.

 

[Tronk]

Thanks Landcruiser that’s good to hear. He’s settled a lot now so it’s got easier thankfully! He hasn’t chewed the bandage which is great. We’re going to be very strict about the cage rest for 2 weeks then see from there.