Phantom toe?

elsien

Mutt had her toe amputated in mid October last year, so in theory it should have healed weeks ago. It looks absolutely fine, stitches gone, no sign that anything was amiss, but the beggar still won't leave it alone. Turn your back on her for too long and her foot's in her mouth and she's chewing away. Which is a problem because she has to have her buster collar on still when I go out, but she can't drink with it on, which is a problem when I'm at work.

I've been back to the vet as he was concerned the internal stitches hadn't dissolved properly, but he says he can't see anything there that should be causing any problem. The only other option he gave was to go back on steroids, which for various reasons is a route we don't want to go down unless we absolutely have to.

So I'm now wondering whether she may be getting pain from the nerves - I've read about people with limbs amputated feeling as if they're still there and wondered if this was a possibility.
Or whether it's now turned into a behavioural thing and she's just playing silly sods.

Anyone come across this sort of thing before?

ali-t

I don't know about treating phantom pain in dogs but I know of an amputee who is prescribed amytryptiline (sp?) for phantom pain.

hethmar

My dog lost 1.75 of his paws as a new born pup. I reckon it took a good 18 months before he left his stump alone - I should imagine the nerve endings still give some pain or feeling.

There are a couple of sites for disabled dogs - you may want to have a look on them and ask any questions?

lostinrates

Also worth noting lots of dogs foot lick/chew/bother when bored or stressed. It might be an easier leap to that behaviour for a girl who suffered injury there. I hope you find a solution for her whatever the cause! Good luck.

elsien

hethmar wrote: »

My dog lost 1.75 of his paws as a new born pup. I reckon it took a good 18 months before he left his stump alone - I should imagine the nerve endings still give some pain or feeling.

There are a couple of sites for disabled dogs - you may want to have a look on them and ask any questions?

18 months :eek:. I thought 3 was bad enough - mutt'll have passed onto better things while still chewing away at that rate. Got any links to the sites you mention?
Lostinrates, I don't think it's boredom as at the moment mum's having her most of the time while I'm out, although she has had skin infections in the past because she wouldn't stop licking her leg. So there may well be a habit element as well.

dizziblonde

My cat had her leg amputated before I got her - but I've had her pushing for about 7 years or so now. She still to this day tries to scratch behind her ear using the missing leg (you see her stump twitching as she does it)... and then she has an "aaah that's better" look on her face as if she's just itched a really really big itch. Not had the phantom bit pain problems with her though - but the ear scratching always still amuses me.

hethmar

http://handicappedpets.com/www/index.php