Fractured Toes

[herron67]

I have a 9 month old female who has been limping for quite some time. I took her to the vet approximatley 2 months ago because she was limping on her right front paw. The vet didn't do any x-rays, just prescribed some anti-inflammatories. The vet thought the problem was pano more than anything. Well, the limp never went away. So I took her back to the vet for x-rays. The vet saw that her two middle toes on her front right paw were fractured. She said everything else looked good, no OCD. The vet prescribed another 2 weeks worth of anti-inflammatories. Well the two weeks has almost been up, and the limp is still there. Should the vet have put a cast or anything over the paw? I limit exercise to 1 twenty minute walk a day, and that's hard. Let me know if anybody has had any similar experience. Running out of ideas. Thanks.

[herron67]

Nobody has had this problem before? any ideas?

[moondog]

I haven't had this problem, but if I did I would take my dog to a veterinary orthopedist for diagnosis and treatment.

From this link, it appears that the toes your dog fractured are the ones that bear the most weight when a dog is on its feet.

http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/toefracture.htm

[Sheenagirl]

I would think the 20 minute walk is too much for a dog with fractured toes.
Personally, I wouldn't be walking her until she has a chance for these fractures to heal.
I also would be seeking additional vet recommendations.
Maybe your vet thinks you are keeping her mostly immobile while on the meds?

[Silvermarten]

Henry had a single fractured toe . Back foot , he was around 12 weeks old ( cann't remember exactly right now ) .
He recieved a support bandage/splint ( very basic ) and put on crate rest and leash only to potty for 6 weeks .
A restricted puppy is a nightmare . Luckily they heal fast and he was allowed to come off restriction a little early as x-rays showed rapid healing .

I don't think the 20 minute walks are such a good idea for your dog as that's a lot of movement on the foot and bones . The fractured pieces should have limited movement to allow them a chance to heal.
It's been over 2 months since the injury ?
I think a second opinion and/or referral to an orthopedic specialist might be a good idea .

[LynnS]

Actually a fractured toe bone in big dogs like Rottweilers is quite common. There is a bone (sesamoid) that is basically not used that fractures quite easily and can result in limping (bones can be removed easily and have no negative impact on functioning of foot). Your vet is not being very specific. Is there an orthpedic specialist they can refer you to? That would be my next move. At a minimum I would find out exactly what bones are fractured.

Hope that helps!

[herron67]

I apologize I meant to say her outside toes, on each side of her right paw. I will stop walking her, basically keep her still. Also I will take her to a specialist. Thanks.

[rottielover2004]

Ok, what I am going to say, you probably will not like. When Harley was 13 months old, he severely fractured his toe on his left paw, well I waited 2 days for xrays. Very bad.....He was kept in by the vet, because something did not look right. Well she was right. I had 2 choices, allow the bone infection to elevate to his heart, and possibly kill him, or amputate.
Well needless to say I did the obvious. I had it amputated.
Depending on how sever the fracture is that may be an option. I just hope it never gets to be a bone infection, because that scared the crap out of me