Glass in his paw?

zaksmum

O/H took the dogs out for a walk Friday evening and Jack came back limping and bleeding from his front paw. O/H hadn't noticed:(

Had a look, couldn't see anything, so just cleaned the paw and let him settle for the night.

Yesterday morning he was lifting the paw. Took him to the park where he had a great time chasing squirrels, no sign of any limp. He even jumped in the park lake which I hate him doing.

Got home, he had a long sleep but was limping badly again when he woke up. Had another look with a magnifying glass and there's a puncture mark on the pad. So looks like he definitely has glass or something in it, and I can't get it out.

I'll take him to the vet tomorrow. But what will they do if the glass is deep? Will they need to cut his pad open?

Not bothered about the cost as I have insurance - just the discomfort for the poor dog.

moggymutt

Until you can get him to the vet, keep soaking his foot in warm salty water. For him to be able to run around, sounds like any foreign body is not large, and the wound may just need flushing out. If they think there is deep glass, you can always ask for an xray to confirm it before they do any significant 'slicing', but usually any incisions that they have to make are minimal.

The fun comes if you are told that his foot has to be kept dry and clean! Then you get to learn what a Houdinini he can be with dressings and bandages.

Kittendreich

I second bathing it in salted water. Our beardie got a cut in his paw last year and it ended up getting infected as it was worse than we thought it was (couldn't see properly as he is so hairy!). He ended up being sedated at the vet so they could clean it properly and check it for any debris without him being in pain. He had antibiotics and painkillers for a week or so as well as a fetching blue bandage we had to try and keep dry!

Although the sedation was worrying for me he recovered really quickly and once the antibiotics took action he was fine (just a bit annoyed that he only got short walks and a bit rubbish at hopping along on 3 legs!).

zaksmum

Ok thanks for that. I'll soak his paw now. Someone mentioned drawing ointment from the chemist. Is it worth trying that?

moggymutt

I'm always vary of using human things on animals because different species react differently to different things, and I dont know what is in drawing ointment. I'd stick to salty water until the vet sees it.

calicocat

Drawing ointment is magnesiun sulphate which I think is just epsom salts....but I've never used on an animal.

One tip I had from a vet was to put kiddies/babies booties over the bandage ..........can't say I ever had any success with that one tho , just something else to take off.!!

paddypaws101

Yes Magnesium sulphate is great at drawing out splinters etc, but I am not sure if it is safe for the dog if ingested.
How about using
http://www.ehow.com/how_7739893_make-bread-poultice.html
bread, and adding Manuka honey, both of which are completely safe.

calicocat

You can also use bread and milk to 'draw' and this works great on humans. However my dogs would have just eaten it.

zaksmum

calicocat wrote: »

You can also use bread and milk to 'draw' and this works great on humans. However my dogs would have just eaten it.

Mine would too. And anything with honey in it. In fact anything remotely food associated.

Or even not. he eats everything in sight.

Dollardog

Honey is a great healer though, a natural antibiotic.
When I had a horse, we always used to keep some in the stables and put it on any cuts or grazes the horses had on their legs from brambles etc.
Heals things very quickly if you can get them to keep it on!!

zaksmum

Would it be helpful in getting the glass out though?