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Dog trauma. Dog lovers....please check in....could use a little help.

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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 12:05 PM
Original message
Dog trauma. Dog lovers....please check in....could use a little help.
Last night my dog got his paw caught in a metal joint on a deck under construction. He lost one of his nails to the point where a little cartilage is exposed. Not much, but some. I've had it cleaned, neosporin, and bandaged since it happened. I've also been giving him half an ibuprofen (he's 70 lbs).

Any other suggestions? I don't think it's bad enough for a vet visit. My lab had a similar issue a few years ago and the vet simply bandaged it and sent me home with instructions to keep it covered and clean.

Thoughts?

Poor little fella. Breakin' my heart. His paw looks like a white hockey stick all bandaged up.
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Mutley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 12:07 PM
Response to Original message
1. I'd still take him to the vet.
But if you don't want to do that just keep a very close eye on it to make sure it is not getting infected and that it is healing properly.
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 12:59 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. Thanks.
I'm actually waiting to hear back from the vet now.
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Orsino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:03 PM
Response to Reply #4
16. It might heal on its own...
...but the possibility of infection is high, especially with a paw wound. The vet might stitch it up, but the antibiotic might be just as important.
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:24 PM
Response to Reply #16
23. The Vet said let it heal on it's own and keep an eye out for infection.
He seems to be doing fine. Just a tender toenail.
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Orsino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 03:40 PM
Response to Reply #23
27. Good news! n/t
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SaveElmer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 12:12 PM
Response to Original message
2. Give the vet a call...
They might be able to just give you instructions over the phone
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 12:13 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. I'm looking up the number right now.
Thanks you guys.
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NewWaveChick1981 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:01 PM
Response to Original message
5. Yeah, if it were me, I'd take him to the vet.
Poor guy! :( I'd rather be safe than sorry.
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:04 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. He's pretty depressed about it right now.
And I can't leave him alone for 5 min without him trying to take off his bandage.

He's just sad because it's the nicest day of the week and he wants to be out running around.
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leftofthedial Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:05 PM
Response to Original message
7. Snausages
and keep it clean
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:07 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. He has been getting bacon wrapped ibuprofen.
And I never feed him table food.....EVER...so it's a real treat.
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leftofthedial Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:08 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. poor buddy!
I'm sure he'll be fine.
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LisaLynne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:11 PM
Response to Original message
10. Poor doggie.
That's so sad that he can't go out, but staying off of that paw is probably more important right now. Sounds like you've done a good job -- the only thing I would add is to make sure the bandage isn't too tight. That's always a fine line -- snug enough to stay on and keep everything still, but not too tight.

I'm sure he'll be back to normal in no time. :)
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LibertyLover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:16 PM
Response to Original message
11. I vote for a vet's visit
Just as a precaution against infection. Also check on the ibuprofen. I believe that it is contra-indicated for dogs as is tylenol because it can cause death. Asprin is best.
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:21 PM
Response to Reply #11
12. I looked it up and it seems OK in small doses.
He's a large dog (70+ lbs) and I've only given him half a pill - once yesterday evening and once late morning. But yes, I will definitely speak to the vet about that when they finall call back.
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LibertyLover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:26 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. That should be fine then.
I only mention it because I know that my greyhounds can't take it or tylenol because it could kill them - something about their livers and metabolisms - so I worry about other dogs. Let us know how the beastie does.
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:29 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. Will do. The hardest part is keeping the bandage on.
He's pretty determined to get it off this morning. I've already re-bandaged three times today!
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LibertyLover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 01:53 PM
Response to Reply #14
15. As "mom" to 5 dogs, each of whom has managed to need
bandages, let me just say ' yeah - good luck on that'. Some people have good luck putting some tabasco sauce on the bandage to discourage their dogs from tearing it off. Me, my dogs like tobasco sauce. Our one greyhound won't eat a shrimp without the spicy hot cocktail sauce on it. So we use the plastic collars. Nothing like getting butted in the rear with one of those things first thing in the morning I always say - it tends to wake you up.
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:20 PM
Response to Reply #15
20. Shit. Vet said NO ibuprofen.
Good thing I only gave him very small dose. I really thought that it was OK. Anyway, he said such a small dose probably won't do anything to him, but to encourage water to flush and make sure his diet and stool are OK.

He told me not to even fight the bandage issue and just keep an eye on it for infection.

Of course, he called just as I had finished re-bandaging!
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LibertyLover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:29 PM
Response to Reply #20
25. It will be fine - don't worry
Check with your vet's office, but one asprin should be well tolerated if it looks like he is in pain. If you can put a collar on him for a few days that would help. Hang in there - fortunately dogs heal very quickly and he'll soon be back to his normal self.
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henslee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:45 PM
Response to Reply #20
26. Pets can only take buffered aspirin. Sounds to me like you need
one of those dog bonnet/collars to keep him from messing with his wound.

I've notice that the more you fuss with your pets wound... the more they seem to pay attention to it.

Also, I find that a spoonful of peanut butter in a dogs mouth is a great distractor, seems to keep him busy for a long time.
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DBoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:15 PM
Response to Reply #14
17. Do you have an "Elizabethan Collar"?
works wonders in situations like this. They make soft cloth versions that allow the dog more mobility.
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:26 PM
Response to Reply #17
24. My lab, Jesse (may he rest in peace), had one of those once upon
a time. He was about 120lbs and it was the XXL version. He was a damn bull in a china shop. It was the worst. He couldn't even get through doorways with it.
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China_cat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:17 PM
Response to Original message
18. NOOOOOOOOO. Not ibuprofen
Edited on Fri May-12-06 02:22 PM by China_cat
A baby aspirin if needed but never, never, never acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Can damage liver and kidney with just a dose or 2.

Get him to a vet.

Edited to add that in almost 100% of cases where canines were given ibuprofen, they developed stomach ulcers.
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:22 PM
Response to Reply #18
21. Yes, I just talked to the Vet. He said the same.
I gave him such a small does (less than half a pill) about 18 hours apart. Lesson learned. He's eating and drinking normally and I sure as hell won't give him anymore.

Lesson learned - don't trust everything you read on the Internets!

He's OK. The vet said he doesn't even really need to be seen, just take the bandage off, let it heal naturally and watch carefully for infection. Of course, if any changes take him directly to the vet.
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xchrom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:17 PM
Response to Original message
19. i'd only repeat what others have said about the vet
Edited on Fri May-12-06 02:18 PM by xchrom
so i'll only ask that you give the big goober a hug from me.

and my best get well wishes.
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Scout1071 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 02:23 PM
Response to Reply #19
22. Thanks a bunch.
He's on the mend.
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sleepyhead Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 09:36 PM
Response to Original message
28. No ibuprofen
as others have said. If he's hurting, ask your vet for some pain meds. Keep an eye on it and make sure it stays clean. If red or swollen, call your vet ASAP.
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BikeWriter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-12-06 09:44 PM
Response to Original message
29. Warm Epsom salt soaks will help the soreness and swelling.
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