Eli is hurt!! HELP!!!!!!

[Wiggle Butt]

Last night I let the gang outside...and thay all where running around like crazy's!
Well when they came in there was blood all over the place! At first i thought it
was Honey because she just got back from a walk with my Daughter Sarah.
But it turns out I was Eli! His back right paw the nail is GONE. I feel horrible about this.
We laid him down and cleaned it really good (with hydrogen peroxide and neyosporin) (sp)
and wrapped it up with gauze and tap. ( he was just looking at me like
What are you doing to my paw Momma?) So sweet My question is do you think it will be ok?
I am strapped for cash at this time but If I have go with out I will should I bring him to the Vet?
It is not bleeding anymore I just don't want it to get infected KWIM?

[ajones]

Poor Eli!

Would it be possible to call your vet, describe his injury, describe your treatment, and ask for advice? My clinic is pretty good about letting me know if I should bring a dog in or if I can just continue home treatment and monitoring for awhile.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Eli.

[Wiggle Butt]

Think you so much I was just about to do that!.
I feel bad about complaining about money and my dogs
But with Christmas so close it just hard! KWIM?
His nail is completely gone all you can see is just a little nub of the kwick (sp)
He seams to be favoring it a little bit. He is being very quiet today! Not my usual silly boy.
Thanks

[ajones]

Oh, it's hard when they are hurting and not acting themselves, so I know what you mean. Please keep us posted on what the vet says!

[Dixie Dad]

Just some suggestions.

Neosporin is fine to use but you probably want to wrap to stop any licking.

Is there a tack store or feed store nearby that carries equine supplies. If so you possibly can get some vet wrap. Comes in different colors, stretches and clings to itself. Also much cheaper then what would be in a drugstore. Just need part of the roll each time. This and a small pad to put the neosporin on would make a good bandage.

To go outside if you have some of the clingwrap that makes airtight seals on bowls, you can cover with this for waterproof botties for short outside trips.

[Aquarius89]

Jersey did the exact same thing a few weeks ago. If the bleeding has stopped, I would just keep an eye on it.

One thing our vet told us is to keep it wrapped for about 3 weeks, changing the bandage/wrap every 2-3 days. If it keeps getting banged, it will bleed easily (but apparently it just feels like a little sliver, so it isn't really painful), and it will grow quicker resulting in the nail being more fragile when it grows back. It's also good to keep it moist. Our vet gave us a special cream and I am not sure of the name, but I'm sure polysporin or something along those lines would be fine.

Good luck!

[PCarpenter]

As long as you can keep it from getting infected, Eli will probably be fine. Never had this problem with Sophie but my old terrier Poochie managed to tear one nail off completely and had another one just dangling. We cut that off, did the peroxide thing, wrapped it, and just let it heal. He was fine. I know what you mean about the blood though...oodles of it all over the place. And I'm not surprised that Eli is rather subdued. You know how it hurts when you break your nail down into the quick. Imagine that pain in your foot where you have to put all your weight on it. Just keep your eye on him. If it starts looking infected or if he appears to have another foot problem in addition to the torn nail, I'd get him in to the vet.

Keep us posted.

[Aquarius89]

Apparently there isn't a huge concern over infection in this type of injury, as long as you keep it covered up.

[Wiggle Butt]

Thanks everyone I did talk to my vet and he said the same thing you all did! I am going to the store the get some badages and keep it wrapped for about 2 weeks. My vet is wonderful! He understands that I would do anything for my furballs! And saves me $ too!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Linda

[ajones]

Glad to hear this good update, Linda!

[Wiggle Butt]

It is quite funny to watch him Try not to pull the bandage off!
He is laying right beside me and out of the corner of my eye I can see
him look up at me and then start to pull it off! And I say Eli! what are you doing?
He looks up at me looking guilty and So So sorry. I think he is getting it ...That I want him to keep it on.
He is so smart. Poor boy.All he wants , is to please me

[Wiggle Butt]

[Wiggle Butt]

Well the little stinker is a lot smarter then me!!
He keep pulling of the bandege!!! I am going to buy
some dogie boots for him ,and then we will see . If that works!!
Grrrrrr

[Wiggle Butt]

Just wanted to thank everyone for your help. It has been 13 days and Eli is doing great.
He is not favoring it anymore. So I am happy.

[ajones]

Thanks for the update, Linda. I was thinking about Eli the other day but got distracted by holiday preparation and forgot to pull up this thread to ask how he's doing.

Hope you & Eli have a very merry Christmas.