lump on lurchers toe causing a limp, advice needed

[silentrunner2011 218]

my bullx hes now 4years old ish...he had a lump appear from no where...ive looked it over and cant see nothing in there, ive drained it and nothing came out, ive given a course of antibiotics, still the same...he allows me to move it around without a sound...but hes allways holding his paw up in the air and after a good run he will have a nasty limp..its been like this for 6 weeks without any change in size or nothing....what could it be, picture to follow shortly..

[Carraghs Gem 1,675]

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[silentrunner2011 218]

picture of the toe, it looks straight...and can move it around without him making a sound?

Edited August 6, 2012 by silentrunner2011

[wyeman 1,257]

Could be a grass seed working it's way in - VET!

[skycat 6,174]

From the photo (obviously you can't tell for certain from a photo) the toe has probably dislocated, gone back into place, and the joint is now surrounded with fluid and inflamed tissue which is trying to protect the damaged area. Even if the toe has gone back into place, there will be considerable ligament damage. The only remedy is to not let the dog run for a month: lead walking only, and don't drain it! Sticking needles into the lump won't help at all. The fluid is there for protection while the damage is trying to heal itself. Gentle massage of the area with bone radiol can help to disperse the fluid a little, but be very gentle, no hard massage at all. Ligaments take ages to heal as they have a poor blood supply: up to 3 months. The joint may heal in a fixed position, but unless the dog is running on very bumpy or hard ground most toes like that don't cause too much of a problem once they 'set', unless the dog bashes it against something. Keep the claw cut as short as you can to help take pressure off the joint when the dog moves about.

 

Of course, if it is really worrying you or the dog then get it to a vet asap: broken toes can also look like this with all the inflammation surrounding a break.

[silentrunner2011 218]

ok thanks skycat!

[sandymere 8,263]

If there is no infection then I would agree with Skycat that its likely damage to the joint, colloquially known as a "knocked up toe" inflammation followed by bony growth/spurs leading to permanent osteoarthritic changes. Rest, mobilise the joint as much as possible to maintain range of movement whilst its healing, anti inflammatories such as metacam, to reduce the inflammation and try to reduce structural changes. This is not uncommon in sighthounds and if your luck it will only cause a problem on hard ground.

Edited August 6, 2012 by sandymere

[running addiction 207]

Dislocated toe been pushed out of joint and snapped back in place, the boney swelling is where it's calloused around the joint to protect it from further damage always give mine 6 weeks lead walking first 3 weeks treat with a liniment..should be fine mate keep nails short