Painful swollen digit/Squamous Cell

[Mehig]

Greetings from Southern Kentucky. My 8 yr old rottweiler Shadow spent the last year losing a toe on his left foot one joint at time. It started a year ago Jan. 02 with an infected toenail. Which the vet removed, a month later .....the tissue began to swell. The vet then treated with antibotics for two months....no change. It was then decided to remove the first toe joint. Surgery supposedly went fine, at no time did the vet suggest sending the removed toe for lab analysis. Three months later the toe began to swell. This time I went to a different Vet. The second joint was removed and this time sent for lab analysis. The results were squamous cell carcinoma. OK....Then just this last May the remaining tissue began to swell once again. This time I insisted that the last toe joint be removed NOW! The last toe joint was removed and sent for lab analysis with NO SQUAMOUS CELL carcinoma, just infected tissue. Three weeks ago, on the same foot while trimming his nails I found an infected toenail. Shadow has been on antibotics for three weeks with no improvement. I want to remove P1 and P2 (joints 1&2)of the infected digit. The vet wants to wait until the tissue starts to swell. Any input would appreciated. Steve

[MARYDVM]

I recommend consulting a veterinary oncologist. Regarding the last, negative, biopsy - it is possible for small numbers of cancer cells to be missed by the pathologist reading the sample. Given the aggressive nature of this tumor, I would go directly to a specialist.

[Mehig]

MaryDVM, Thanks for your reply. Would you happen to know anything about University of Tennessee in Knoxville? They have an onocology dept at their Veternarian School. It does require a refferral. Thanks Again, Steve

[MARYDVM]

Any vet school is a good place to go for an oncologist. They have a lot of resources at their disposal in a university setting. The vet who removed the toes should be able to refer you.