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MaggieSwanson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 07:50 AM
Original message
Dog in trouble
There is a dog on an island with a thorn in his paw. It is getting infected and is very sore; he needs to be sedated in order for it to be extracted. There are no health food stores anywhere within 200 miles for valerian. Anyone with any experience able to give advice? No veterinary practice available, and the GP is inept even for people.

This is Zion:
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ScreamingMeemie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 07:53 AM
Response to Original message
1. I have absolutely no experience whatsoever...but my heart is breaking
I know it is an awful thing to give dogs usually, but, in this case (seeing as there is no place to get any other form of sedation) could you give him small bits of alcohol? I would do this if desperate enough, if only to save his life.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 07:58 AM
Response to Original message
2. PM flvegan. He's very, very knowledgeable about dogs and their care.
I'm sorry. That's a beautiful dog. :cry:
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MaggieSwanson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 08:05 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. I'll do that.
I would have posted in the Pets group to find either flvegan or kestrel or lorian, but I can't donate this year (no plastic) so I can't post to groups. If anyone can cross-post this for me, I'd be so grateful!

-M
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ScreamingMeemie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 08:12 AM
Response to Reply #3
4. Now...you can do it yourself.
:hug:
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 08:13 AM
Response to Reply #4
5. Damn. Beat me to it.
:rofl:

You're a sweetheart, Mrs.G.

:hug:
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MaggieSwanson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 08:16 AM
Response to Reply #4
6. Oh, MrsGrumpy
Thank you so much!

:hug:
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ScreamingMeemie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 08:24 AM
Response to Reply #6
7. I really hope that poor puppy is feeling better soon.
take care Maggie, you're doing such a wonderful thing. :hug:
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MaggieSwanson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 08:29 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. I hope so, too.
Sweet boy, he's almost 8 years old.
And you did something wonderful today too - I will keep you posted about dear Zion.
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lukasahero Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 11:52 AM
Response to Original message
9. It looks like you can use benadryl to calm him
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dogs-701/dogs-benadryl.htm

You can also call the ASPCA for recommendations and help. (888) 426-4435

Beautiful guy. Good luck!
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MaggieSwanson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 02:27 PM
Response to Reply #9
12. lukashero, you are a treasure.
I'll keep you all posted.
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cwydro Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 02:30 PM
Response to Reply #9
13. You can use melatonin too.
I give that to my dogs in bad storms and it settles them down pretty well.
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FloridaJudy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 04:25 PM
Response to Reply #9
14. My dog weighs 30 lbs
And my vet says to give her up to 50mg of Benadryl for severe itching. That would be enough to turn me into a zombie, and I weigh mumble times as much as she does. Apparently it's a very safe drug for dogs.
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LisaM Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 12:17 PM
Response to Original message
10. Can you soak the paw in warm water?
I know dogs don't like that particularly, but it might help the thorn work out.
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MaggieSwanson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 02:26 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. I'm going to try
soaking it in papaya and/or guava leaves in warm water - a natural antiseptic. The thorn is huge; two inches long. I'll post in the morning and let you know how he is. It's 3:20am now.

Thank you for the idea, I really appreciate it. He's such a sweet dog, even though he is not mine I love him so much.
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DeepBlueC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 06:56 PM
Response to Reply #11
16. warm water with salt
reduces inflammation. It just needs to be warm. If it's too hot that won't be appreciated. Compresses and cuddles.
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DeepBlueC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-05-08 06:54 PM
Response to Original message
15. Xylocaine 5% topical anaesthetic ointment
It's available over-the-counter here in Canada. If it is there it might be useful. It doesn't take more than a couple of minutes to work. Of course you have to keep him from licking it off. After that it should be easy tweezer job & then disinfectant wash.
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MaggieSwanson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-06-08 01:04 AM
Response to Reply #15
17. Good idea, it will be a very painful extraction.
The thorn in question is about 2 inches long and curved. They are wicked things - I've had one go right through a shoe. As in top to bottom.
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DeepBlueC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-06-08 07:33 PM
Response to Reply #17
18. my God..that's a scimitar!
There is a real possibility of secondary bacterial infection here & you really ought to see a vet if at all possible. The ointment only anesthetizes the surface. I was thinking you were talking about something a half inch long or so. If you do manage to get it out...and I'm praying for your success to whoever will listen ... definitely try to get some warm salt water compresses on that thing. Wow...I can see why you are so concerned. I hope you have come up with some solution & I hope you will keep us posted. I really feel for the both of you.
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DeepBlueC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-06-08 10:51 PM
Response to Reply #15
19. one possible problem with xylocaine
Is that if the paw is numbed up he may run a greater risk of reinjuring himself because he won't have the pain signal to remind him to protect his own foot. So if you do use it you have to watch him carefully until it wears off.

Infection is the biggest concern after the thorn comes out. The wound ought to be protected somehow from exposure to dirt & ubiquitous bacteria.
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