Sprained Or Fractured Little Toe!

[beagle babies]

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with their dog having a sprained or fractured little toe!!!

Yesterday morning my boy beagle had a very slight limp, was a bit concened but he was still putting all weight on foot, still as much as I attenpted to stop him he still was running around like the clown h is and still insisted on jumping onto the sofa for a cuddle. Contacted vet hospital who advised he had probably ust pulled a muscle and to keep a eye on him for 24 hours as he was very alert, acting normal and still very happy and not showing any pain (he's a little trooper).

Yesterday evening he was still the same and looked a bit better even, but then by 9pm last night he was hopping around on three legs and keeping his front paw completely up. But still very alert and otherwise normal. However I was :D starting to get real concerned so rang emergency vet hospital who advised as he was still alert, not showing signs or sickness (apart from a stuffed leg) to keep him comfortable and take to regular vets the following day.

Being so worried (thinking he has torn a ligiment or maybe broke something or dislocated something, I put him in his bed, put his bed near our bed and sat with him till he went to sleep so I knew he was asleep and not hobbling around.

Today gets up and he is still hobbling around on 3 legs, but the cheeky little monkey he is still managed to steal a pair of socks and take off on three legs.

Was real concerned so rang vets and got first appointment I could, but was unable to be seen till this afternoon. Had to quickly go to work, grab some paperwork so I could work from home to keep an eye on him. While I was gone I asked my neighbour to keep an eye on him to avoid him running around while I was out.

Well gets back 2 hours later and a miracle recovery seemed to have happened, walking on all four legs, putting weight on all paws and looking real pleased with himself :rolleyes:

Still went to vets (he would fake a recovery I reckon to get out of a vet visit - he hates going there) because wanted it checked anyway and the diagonisis a sprained or fractured little toe on front right paw.

He has now not limped since earlier today but he is not out of the woods yet as it may be a fracture if he starts limping again. Treating with medication for the moment and vet advised 24 - 48 hours before xraying him as it is more likely a sprain, but worse case scenario if it turns out to be a specific type of fracture they will amputate his little toe

So all last night I was unable to slep with worry thinking we had torn muscle tissue, dislocated shoulders or a dodgy knee cap and at the end of it all it is his little toe at least is was not as bad as I first thought.

Has anybody else had any experiences with this and how long did it take to heal etc?? I appreciate everyones responses.

Also what is the best way to stop them running and jumping if they have a bad leg or foot as he is so active and I am unable to crate him because he would go nuts and probably cause himslef more damage by trying to get out. This one is a crazy little critter - rescued from another family who bought him then apparently didn't have any time for him - more than likely because they couldn't handle the little cheeky clown who is so active its not funny at times, but we have had him for almost 18 months and he is well and truely a part of the family and no way would i give up on him no matter how hard and trying he has been at times

[puggy_puggy]

I think the only choice you have is to either crate him or have him in a small puppy pen.

If he has infact fractured or sprained his toe it is only going to heal if you stop him from running around on it and the only way to do that is to confined your dog for at least a week or more. This means being crated/penned all the time and only allowed out to the toilet on a lead. And all the time means all the time. It may seem cruel but it would be worse if he continued to exercise on his toe.

Have his crate or pen near you and he will soon get used to it.

[Poodle wrangler]

Dunno about dogs, but there's nothing to do for a human broken toe, other than stay off it!

Crates aren't terribly expensive- about $100 in beagle size. You can always sell it later. Sometimes a breeder will lend you one.

The airline type are pricier, but brilliant for pups/ dogs who like to be sick in the car- just wash it out.

You could try confining your dog in the laundry, but I'm thinking they could do much more than $100 worth of damage in there when bored.

Better a bored dog, than an unnecessarily injured dog! Get some chew toys (Kongs are tough and you can stuff treats in there) and big meaty bones to entertain your dog. Don't forget to deduct treats off meals, though- last thing you want is a fat, injured dog!

Edited March 7, 2008 by Poodle wrangler

[lucknow]

Also what is the best way to stop them running and jumping if they have a bad leg or foot as he is so active and I am unable to crate him because he would go nuts and probably cause himslef more damage by trying to get out.

If you spend the next week sitting on the sofa with him beside you would he stay still? :rolleyes:

Maybe you could speak to the vet about trying a splint on the foot so he cannot hamper recovery putting pressure on it all the time, and I find Wound Gard on the dressing keeps most dogs from chewing, especially if you supply a tasty alternative such as a marrow bone.

If all else fails you may unfortunately have to consider sedating him, you would not be the first owner who has had to go this path as a last resort though if it does I would say get him used to crating after he has recovered - a dog as active as yours may have need of it again!

Whatever you do it is essential you combine with keeping him in a small area to restrict activity.

Recovery time is going to be dependant on how well restrained you can keep him, but several days for a simple sprain.

[Diva]

From experience with one of my dogs I'd avoid splinting, vet insisted it was necessary but her toes refused to heal at all until the splint was removed and she could put a little weight on them. The splint was also a disaster for bone density in her leg, which was described as 'egg shell' like (from an x-ray) when the splint was removed, had to be very careful with her to avoid a leg fracture until normal use built it up again. If it happened again I'd just keep the dog quiet (not easy I know).