toe amputation

[Treetops]

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Hello
Nice to meet you all, thank you for allowing me to ask for advice.

My boy had a toe amputation in January this year. He now has a limp and currently being treated with Metacam. The next step is xrays.
What i am wondering if anyone else on here has had the same operation on their dog and how long did it take for the limp (if any) to stop? I am so worried about him as going on for so long. Xrays don't show tissue damage ( i read online) but has anyone elses dog had tissue damage - how long did it take for it to mend. He has been on restricted walks since Aug

 

[Jan Woodhall]

Oh dear, that is very sad hope he will be better soon! Tissue damage, you are correct will not exactly show up, but changes at cellular level ( cancer for instance) will show up as a shadow in some cases. Any damage to bones is far quicker under normal circumstances to heal quicker than tissue damage, so you could be in for a very long haul. I am not a fan of any of the vets I have met in the past 20 years so good luck with yours! In America, you would be offered myriad tests! Might I tentatively nudge you to speak with some physios, and other body work folks also? one profession is never enough to make a decision of have great advice from! People have varying experiences and knowledge so NEVER just stick to asking your vet - searching on the Internet is a great place to go - but be VERY aware there is as much rubbish advise out there as there is good so ALWAYS cross reference stuff! Here is a great knowledge bank, many of the members have amazing knowledge and experience! Best of luck to you!

 

[JoanneF]

Not a toe amputation but my dog had a soft tissue injury a few years ago. And it took ages to heal - several months.

I was actually getting a bit concerned about how long he was taking metacam and although it was better, it wasn't completely back to normal. So I switched to golden paste and it cleared over the next couple of weeks. Now it may be that it was on the point of going away anyway, I'm not saying golden paste is a miracle cure but it is worth bearing in mind.


I used the recipe here if it is something you are interested in.
The World Famous Recipe

 

[Treetops]

Oh dear, that is very sad hope he will be better soon! Tissue damage, you are correct will not exactly show up, but changes at cellular level ( cancer for instance) will show up as a shadow in some cases. Any damage to bones is far quicker under normal circumstances to heal quicker than tissue damage, so you could be in for a very long haul. I am not a fan of any of the vets I have met in the past 20 years so good luck with yours! In America, you would be offered myriad tests! Might I tentatively nudge you to speak with some physios, and other body work folks also? one profession is never enough to make a decision of have great advice from! People have varying experiences and knowledge so NEVER just stick to asking your vet - searching on the Internet is a great place to go - but be VERY aware there is as much rubbish advise out there as there is good so ALWAYS cross reference stuff! Here is a great knowledge bank, many of the members have amazing knowledge and experience! Best of luck to you!

Thank you for taking the time to answer my post. Yes you are right there is so much conflicting advice out there but I think as you suggested I will maybe look for a animal physio for their advice so thank you again

 

[Treetops]

Not a toe amputation but my dog had a soft tissue injury a few years ago. And it took ages to heal - several months.

I was actually getting a bit concerned about how long he was taking metacam and although it was better, it wasn't completely back to normal. So I switched to golden paste and it cleared over the next couple of weeks. Now it may be that it was on the point of going away anyway, I'm not saying golden paste is a miracle cure but it is worth bearing in mind.


I used the recipe here if it is something you are interested in.
The World Famous Recipe

Thank you for your reply. It is the length of time he has been limping that is indeed the concern so it is comforting to hear that your poor dog was also several months before he got better. I have actually just bought Turmeric to try, will add this to his concoctions that I am already feeding him. Thank you again.

 

[Hemlock]

A toe amputation always changes the way a dog walks (does for humans too) and so stresses all legs but especially the diagonally opposite one, and also the spine. So a dog physio or chiropractor will be of immense help. The limp might be there for ever, though, and that is a nuisance but not a tragedy. Obviously you want to do the best by your dog, so that's just to assure you that a limp isn't the end of the world.
Metacan is not a drug suitable for long-term, so discuss better options with your vet. Or maybe several vets. The practice I uses won't prescribe it at all, as they say they have better choices nowadays.

 

[Treetops]

A toe amputation always changes the way a dog walks (does for humans too) and so stresses all legs but especially the diagonally opposite one, and also the spine. So a dog physio or chiropractor will be of immense help. The limp might be there for ever, though, and that is a nuisance but not a tragedy. Obviously you want to do the best by your dog, so that's just to assure you that a limp isn't the end of the world.
Metacan is not a drug suitable for long-term, so discuss better options with your vet. Or maybe several vets. The practice I uses won't prescribe it at all, as they say they have better choices nowadays.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my post. This post definitely makes me feel better as I am getting myself worked up. Watching him limp everyday for such a long time is so upsetting (yet he does act most of the time like he is not in pain). I will take him back after his metacam is finished next week and get him xrayed to rule out any bone problem. If okay, I think ask about Physio or Chiropractor that may help which I never thought of so thank you

 

[Jan Woodhall]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my post. Yes you are right there is so much conflicting advice out there but I think as you suggested I will maybe look for a animal physio for their advice so thank you again

You are most welcome

Thank you for your reply. It is the length of time he has been limping that is indeed the concern so it is comforting to hear that your poor dog was also several months before he got better. I have actually just bought Turmeric to try, will add this to his concoctions that I am already feeding him. Thank you again.

Just a 'heads up' it is the combination and how long it is simmered for that is key to the best potency for the Golden Paste - like many things in the shops they (manufacturers) only have to put a tiny amount of an item in and say it is the 'wonder drug' and this is most often ( in humans also) false information. Just be aware