OUCH! Let's hope it's just the nail and he's back to normal soon!
Yesterday, late afternoon, while I had the dogs outside to play and hang out, I thought I noticed Cooper look uncomfortable while lying down. I hadn't heard him yelp or make any noise like he had hurt himself at any time, so I wondered maybe I had just imagined it and I let him snooze away on the yard. I had been outside with the dogs the whole time, except to run in quickly to use the washroom myself. When it was time to come in I didn't notice anything with Cooper, although I was busy grabbing toys and getting Dozer on his leash, that I met Cooper at the door and we came inside. Once indoors, the dogs decided to have a play session, nothing too crazy, and that's when I noticed it. Cooper was limping, a very notable limp on his left hind leg, and standing with his paw in the air at times. He laid down on his bed and I tried to coax him to get up so I could see his gait again, but he didn't want to get up so I let him rest and at supper time he very reluctantly got up to eat. At that point I am really concerned... he was still limping and holding that paw in the air, very uncomfortable looking. My hubby came home at that point and he helped me have a look at Cooper's leg and paw. Cooper didn't have any obvious signs of pain when we felt his leg, but growled and yelped when his paw was touched. No cuts on his paw, nothing sticking into his foot. His nail on his outside toe looked like it was sticking out toward the outside more than the other foot and that toe was swollen, twice the size of the same toe on the other foot. Cooper was obviously very uncomfortable, choosing the farthest and most secluded area of the living room to go and lie down in. I called out Vet Clinic and we were asked to bring him in to have a Tech assess him and possibly an appointment with the Vet right after. The Tech assessed him and thought he had either broken his nail at the foot, which they said would have to grow out as they couldn't cut it, or that he possibly had broken that toe. The tech had the Vet assess him quickly and she didn't feel it was broken, as she couldn't feel a definite break, but did agree that the toe was very painful and swollen. She was thinking infection, but I wasn't convinced seeing as how suddenly the limp appeared. She put him on Metacam for the pain, leashed potty breaks and rest until Monday and if he is still limping then he will have X-rays and be seen by his Vet. I'm not fond of the vet that was working last evening and if Cooper hadn't of been in so much pain, would have opted to wait until today to have him seen.
Cooper was pretty miserable all evening, even after the Metacam. This morning, the limp is much less noticeable, he isn't holding the paw in the air, the toe is still swollen, but overall Cooper looks like he is more comfortable. I will keep him quiet for the weekend and see how he is once the Metacam is finished.
All good thoughts appreciated.....been a rough month for my guy
OUCH! Let's hope it's just the nail and he's back to normal soon!
coopersmom (06-08-2018)
Hoping Cooper is healed by Monday and no further action needed, sending good thoughts and a shot of MOJO.
coopersmom (06-08-2018)
Oh, gosh....hope it resolves quickly. I hate when they hurt.
coopersmom (06-08-2018)
Maybe he stepped on a bee?
Jen
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coopersmom (06-08-2018)
sending good thoughts!
Ivy
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coopersmom (06-08-2018)
A few years back, Tanner came in the house limping on his right front leg. Earlier that morning everything was fine. By that evening I had him at the emerg vet who did a clinical and took Xrays of his shoulder. They came back saying he has some arthritis and put him on some meds. I said his injury was sudden, not on and off like an arthritic condition typically presents. I also said his paw is sensitive, not his shoulder. They didn't listen to me.
Two days later, he's no better at all and I get him in to his normal vet. They do more Xrays down the leg, bloodwork, etc and all comes back normal, but the vet did agree with me that his paw was very sensitive. She put him on antibiotics for a presumed infection and an NSAID for inflammation. Within a matter of hours he was better and at the 1 day mark he was just about normal. It turns out he hurt his paw on a raised sliver of the deck or a raised nail of the deck, either way it's how he got the infection.
I hope with your dog it's just a toe sprain, but keep in mind infection and antibiotics if needed.
Griffin growing up!
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Griffin Male Black Lab 03/14/16 -
Yukon My Wonderful Yellow Lab 11/20/06 - 03/12/19 Will cherish the memories!!!!
My Precious Tanner Boy 11/25/02 - 6/25/15 Will miss you always!!!!
coopersmom (06-08-2018)
Sending good thoughts! I hope Cooper continues to get better! Poor guy.
coopersmom (06-08-2018)
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