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Toe Amputation

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kerrys

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Hi everyone, i am a new member. I own Archie he is a gorgeous and very mischevious whippet who is 18 months old now (currently lay on my shoulder as I type) We dont race him at all he is just our pet.

Unfortunately a month ago archie fractured one of his middle front toes quite badly out playing and after a month of splints and bandages advised by the vet the toe hasnt heald at all :( The vet has advised amputation and he is booked in for the upcoming wednesday. I am very upset as I dont fully understand how Archie will cope afterwards ( have found vets abit vague). I was hoping someone might have had similar unfortunate experience with a whippet and was wondering how their dog copes...can they run the same? (Archie loves nothing more than playing and whizzing around after his ball :D ) and does it affect their balance at all??

and most importantly I dont want him in pain!!!

I really do feel sorry for arch at the mo as he hasnt been allowed exercise for a month, the vet says he should be recovered 7-10 days after op

any responses to put my mind at ease would be much appreciated

thanks kerry and archie
 
Hi, i'm so sorry for your dilemma. I cant offer much advice apart from the fact one of my girls has recently broken a toe, its the very first toe on the inside of the foot.

She has been on anti inflammatorys & pain killers & no free running for 2 weeks now.

She is no longer lame but toe still very swollen & doent look quite right when she moves but i am going to persevere & see how it goes.

Good luck with Archie, keep us updated :luck:
 
Hi.

I can also not offer any advice having no experience of toe amputations at all- we're not being very helpful are we!

Except to say that animals never cease to amaze me.They always seem to cope wonderfully with missing or wonky bits that we humans would struggle with so i'm sure your boy will be fine. And at least after the op has healed he won't be in constant pain anymore with a broken toe.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you on wed and let us know how he gets on.

Laura x
 
Hi we race whippets and have had a couple that have had to have toes off, and they adapt very well, mine have all come back to carry on racing just the same. I hope all goes well for you.
 
You're best off asking the whippet racers about amputated toes, there are a few that have them amputated during their racing careers. :thumbsup:

I have a bitch now pushing 9 (and still running/racing :wub: ) that had one half toe removed at 3 years of age and another full toe at 5 years of age with no problems with soreness or lameness since.

Been lucky (touch wood) that out of all our 4 bitches that have raced she's the only one that has had to have this done.
 
Hi My Blake had to have a middle toe amputated on each front foot due to corns, he healed quickly with no problems running etc

He subsequently broke the other middle toe on one foot....I left this to heal naturally ,just taped up when walking and it healed perfectly

The only thing I would say is the other toe is more "exposed" if you like and more likely to suffer injury

So dont worry he will be fine and its less painfull than healing breaks
 
my whippet X Bryn has had a middle toe removed from a rear paw..this was removed about five years ago. He has no problem getting about and he can run jump etc as normal..the only difference is that he limps a bit if walking on the beach but that is all. He is almost 13 years old now and has not shown any signs of arthritis at all.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
http://www.k9community.co.uk/forums/index....=toe+amputation

when i had peggy(pts last nov) she had a back toe amutated and i was anxious at the time but she was fine and adated to a missing toe well...i was more concerned with peggy as she had weak back legs at the time..hope the link works(i'l try and fine the pic of her toe once healed)

im sure Archie will be fine
 
Thank you for all posts i appreciate them, has put my mind at ease knowing other dogs have been through the same and have coped fine.

I am still contemplating getting 2nd opinion from a different vet (orth) :unsure:

Archie has been tootling around fine and doesnt seem in pain at all and i am not 100% that 1 month is enough healing time

here are a few pics of the man in question (prior to bandage!)

001__2_web.jpg

005__3_web.jpg

P1000357__2_web.jpg
 
I agree, i definitely don't think a month is long enough. My vet advised it would be a good 2-3 months befor the toe was fully healed!
 
I think that I'd go to a greyhound vet for a second opinion. The problem with removing inside toes is that the foot can splay. Outside toes IMO no problem but middle ones that's different.

On saying that if the dog is better off without it then it's better removed but as it's a middle (Inside) toe I'd get a second opinion from someone like a greyhound vet.
 
BeeJay said:
I think that I'd go to a greyhound vet for a second opinion. The problem with removing inside toes is that the foot can splay. Outside toes IMO no problem but middle ones that's different.
On saying that if the dog is better off without it then it's better removed but as it's a middle (Inside) toe I'd get a second opinion from someone like a greyhound vet.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice, I fully agree. Nothing against your pet vet, but greyhound vets see thìs day in day out. My boy had half a toe (inside) removed, and importantly the pad stitched back on. Not only do you not notice it, he came back racing and it didnt affect him at all. If the vet can leave something, even if its hìs pad between his toes, it will help his feet. Good luck, I know its such a worry, but he will be ok
 
June Jonigk said:
BeeJay said:
I think that I'd go to a greyhound vet for a second opinion. The problem with removing inside toes is that the foot can splay. Outside toes IMO no problem but middle ones that's different.
On saying that if the dog is better off without it then it's better removed but as it's a middle (Inside) toe I'd get a second opinion from someone like a greyhound vet.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice, I fully agree. Nothing against your pet vet, but greyhound vets see thìs day in day out. My boy had half a toe (inside) removed, and importantly the pad stitched back on. Not only do you not notice it, he came back racing and it didnt affect him at all. If the vet can leave something, even if its hìs pad between his toes, it will help his feet. Good luck, I know its such a worry, but he will be ok
Click to expand...

It's a very good idea to go to a specific sighthound vet. A month isn't very long for a toe to heal and, as said above, it can stay swollen and painful for much, much longer.
 
Thanks i definitely agree with getting the 2nd opinion :thumbsup:

sorry to ask another question to you all... I have found a local ortho vet but was wondering if anyone knew of specific sighthound/ greyhound vet?? I live in manchester england but archie is fine to travel for whats best for him :)
 
kerrys said:
Thanks i definitely agree with getting the 2nd opinion :thumbsup:
sorry to ask another question to you all... I have found a local ortho vet but was wondering if anyone knew of specific sighthound/ greyhound vet?? I live in manchester england but archie is fine to travel for whats best for him :)
Click to expand...
I am not sure if Kevin Reeves is still at Warrington, but some of the non ped racers from up there would know. The practice used to be called Rupert and Reeves. You could always PM Vicky or Wild Whippies, thez would know :thumbsup:
 
He's officially retired although he does see some racing dogs. Because of the situation I thought Paul Evans would be more appropiate as he's renowned for his work with toes. I've already been in contact with Kerry with his details :thumbsup:
 
Hi, thought i would just do a quick update on Archie and his toe... tomorrow was supposed to be the day archie was having his toe removed but on recommendation we went to see local specialist..who told us Archies toe had pretty much already healed :thumbsup: he just wants to see him again next tuesday

feeling alot happier for arch and he is allowed out for lead walks this week ( so we may get some sleep again haha)

Thankyou to everyone for all advice and best wishes

Kerry and Archie
 
kerrys said:
Hi, thought i would just do a quick update on Archie and his toe... tomorrow was supposed to be the day archie was having his toe removed but on recommendation we went to see local specialist..who told us Archies toe had pretty much already healed :thumbsup: he just wants to see him again next tuesdayfeeling alot happier for arch and he is allowed out for lead walks this week ( so we may get some sleep again haha)

Thankyou to everyone for all advice and best wishes

Kerry and Archie
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I'm really pleased to read this. Sounds very positive. Enjoy your walkies Archie.
 
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