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Dog paws undergo a lot of strain from jumping, playing, walking, and running, making them vulnerable to different injuries, including torn nails, cuts, and dislocated or sprained toes. Like humans, toe injuries are quite painful in dogs and need proper care to ensure they heal correctly.
With the right veterinarian care and proper attention, treating a toe injury is easy and getting your furry friend pain-free and running again.
Dog Dislocated Toe – A Complete Guide
Dogs have five toes on each front paw and four on each rear paw. There are three bones in each toe, with the first two supporting most of the body weight. Toe injuries can occur when the dog runs speedily, and the toe gets caught in an object. They also happen from accidents like getting hit by a car, falling off, or jumping from a height.
Active dogs and those who participate in competitions are at a higher risk of toe injuries like dislocation. If you find your dog in sudden pain or lameness, it is important to get him checked by a vet at the earliest to see if he has a toe injury. In case of dislocation, you should prevent the dog from using the foot for walking or bearing weight on the injured foot.
Your vet may examine the dog’s foot physically to identify the level of injury and suggest the best treatment option. Most toe injuries don’t need surgery though it may sometimes be necessary depending on the condition.
Dog Sprained Toe? Here’s What To Do
Your dog might have a sprained toe if he stretches too far or too much. Such a toe injury is not only common in athletic dogs but can also result from falling, slipping, or jumping during normal activities. A sprain damages the ligaments connecting bones to cause joint damage. If you see your dog acting lame or limping all of a sudden, he may have a sprained toe. You should get the pooch tested by a vet if such symptoms last for over 48 hours.
While you are trying to reach the doctor, you can consider placing an ice pad on the affected area to reduce pain and swelling and to make sure the injury does not get aggravated. A minor sprained toe does not require surgery and would heal on its own in a few days. Anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed for quicker healing. However, some dogs may need corrective surgery to repair a torn ligament.
Your vet is likely to examine the dog’s feet physically and use x-rays to evaluate the condition. Once he analyzes the sprain, he may recommend the treatment options based on the level of the injury. Your dog should be kept inactive as much as possible during the healing period and given the medicines as prescribed.
Dog Dislocated Toe Treatment
There are several ways your dog can get a dislocated toe. Smaller breeds are likely to get stepped on, fracturing or dislocating the toe bones. Larger dogs may jump off a height or get stuck while running or experience trauma from car accidents. Such accidents often result in a dislocated toe or other toe injuries that your pooch may communicate by crying. Some other signs include licking of the toe, limping, or a swollen paw.
If you suspect a dislocated toe, you should take the dog to a veterinarian who can diagnose the condition using an x-ray. There are three primary options available for a dislocated toe in dogs. These are – primary surgical repair, casting/splinting, and digit amputation. A splint or cast is generally used to isolate the bone in the toe until it gets healed. Medications are prescribed to help the dog handle the pain and avoid infection.
Depending on the severity of the injury, the veterinarian may advise a surgical procedure to realign the bones and secure them in place using pins, wires, screws, and plates.
Dog Broken Toe Amputation
A broken toe, when diagnosed in a dog, can be treated with a surgery called amputation when other forms of treatment don’t seem to work. It is an invasive procedure involving the removal of the toe under anesthesia. After the vet completes the tests confirming the necessity of an amputation, the dog is prepared for the operation by removing fur from the paw and cleaning the area.
Once the toe is amputated, the wound is stitched and the paw is bandaged. The dog can go home in a few hours after the surgery, once it is up from anesthesia. The vet may prescribe antibiotics and painkillers for aftercare. Sutures are generally removed after about two weeks. After the toe amputation, a dog does not find difficulty compensating for the loss of a toe. It is important to take care of the wound during healing. Dogs with toe amputation usually make a full recovery and lead a normal life.
Dog Broken Toe Cost – UPDATED 2021
A broken toe in a dog can be treated in several ways, depending on the severity and type of fracture. The simplest way to treat a broken toe is to get the dog examined at the local vet office and get x-rays of the paw. The x-rays would help understand the type of fracture and the appropriate treatment options.
Though broken toes are not always serious, they can turn into arthritis, infection, and other complications if left untreated. The longer you wait to visit the vet, the severity of the injury increases and so does the cost of treatment. Untreated fractures can result in infection that may demand amputation of the toe, costing you thousands of dollars.
When you consult a vet for your dog’s broken toe, you can expect to spend on x-rays and blood works. If the vet confirms a non-displaced fracture, the dog will just need some splints and plates for proper healing. However, a displaced fracture may need a surgical procedure involving anesthesia, costing about $800 to $2000 in total. In most cases, the dog can go home on the same day and you won’t have to pay for a stay.
However, if complications occur during the procedure, you can expect to pay extra as the dog needs overnight monitoring. The doctor may also prescribe some medications to moderate pain and prevent infection. The exact cost of a dog’s broken toe treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the dog.