Whippet Dislocated Toe

[yanib 4]

Hi, my whippet Dislocated her toe last week whilst running. The outside one on her right front foot. The vet popped it back in and put a bandage on it for 3 days. Since then we've put a small bandage on to try and keep the toe from popping back out. She jumped up today and it popped back out again. I've got a pair of slippers ordered that are supposed to keep it in place more long term. Wondering what I should do from here? I am thinking just try to keep it from popping out for 6-8 weeks to allow it to heal and then lightly reintroduce running. Or will it just keep popping out now forever, in which case am I better to just let her run and keep popping it back in myself or have to removed? She lives to run so I just want to get her back running asap. I've read about bone radiol but it sounds quite strong and she would probably try and lick it off, and it doesn't seem clear how to apply it. Any advice much appreciated seems to be hard to come by and no sighthound vets in my areas. Cheers. Photo attached of original dislocation. 

[Black neck 15,966]

Best thing no running or messing about for 3 month ,if it happens after that get the vet to tek it off

[Luckee legs 471]

3 hours ago, Black neck said:

Best thing no running or messing about for 3 month ,if it happens after that get the vet to tek it off

Absolutely, the ligaments take 3 months to heal. Hopefully not necessary to amputate but in the event, I had a Greyhound we had to remove the knocked up toe as it wouldn't stabilize and she still ran fairly well and without pain.

[OldPhil 5,763]

Personally,...I would always seek out a genuine Running Dog Vet....

They are out there,...but you might have to travel in order to find the right man... ..

Such experienced and knowledgeable folk really do know the score with Foot and Toe injuries,....

The main thing with Collateral Ligament Damage is to give it TIME.....

 

[yanib 4]

Great thanks for the advice - I've rang the closest greyhound track and asked them for vet recommendations, and they have given me one who I am going to see next week. Hopefully they will just check it over and I will then give it 3 months of no messing to see if it heals.

[jukel123 8,036]

Even if it has to come off it won't affect the dog's ŕunning. I've had two lurchers who had to have toes removed. It's a simple low cost job using local anaesthetic.

 

[Black neck 15,966]

46 minutes ago, jukel123 said:

Even if it has to come off it won't affect the dog's ŕunning. I've had two lurchers who had to have toes removed. It's a simple low cost job using local anaesthetic.

 

They like to knock um out nowadays costs a few bob ,spose depends on the vet u got tho 

[fred90 3,231]

13 minutes ago, Black neck said:

They like to knock um out nowadays costs a few bob ,spose depends on the vet u got tho 

they would knock them out to worm them now ££

[Black neck 15,966]

6 hours ago, fred90 said:

they would knock them out to worm them now ££

Pts to trim.nails

[Maximus Ferret 2,063]

Ask the vet to take off the toenail at the base. It'll grow back during the 3 months rest and help to keep pressure off the toe during that time. Keep the dog strictly on the lead for the toilet and if it jumps about a lot in the house you might need to crate it for a month or so then on the lead after that.                                                When you start bringing it back to fitness start with lead walking and take it slow and gradual. I've had two whippets in my life and both were inclined to damage toes when working.

[yanib 4]

Thanks, so no lead walking at all initially you think? Our normal vet told us we could lead walk. We've got it in a bandage and a protective boot during the walks and have just been doing 10-15 mins twice a day. Will make sure to mention to the vet about taking the toe nail off next week. If it has to come off does anyone know the approx recovery time for that back to running? I am surprised it's local anaesthetic, I don't think it will be in our case as she hates the vets and barely lets them give her a stroke

[OldPhil 5,763]

On 14/07/2024 at 10:35, yanib said:

Thanks, so no lead walking at all initially you think? Our normal vet told us we could lead walk. We've got it in a bandage and a protective boot during the walks and have just been doing 10-15 mins twice a day. Will make sure to mention to the vet about taking the toe nail off next week. If it has to come off does anyone know the approx recovery time for that back to running? I am surprised it's local anaesthetic, I don't think it will be in our case as she hates the vets and barely lets them give her a stroke

Don't be too eager to consider amputation of a toe...in some cases, there is no other option, and then you have to do what is best..

However,..by the looks of your dog's toes in your post, I feel that you are hopefully a long way off yet, from making that decision. 

Personally,.. for the future,....I would try to keep your Whippet's nails much, much shorter...

Talk to a Running Dog Vet ,....there isn't much to be done with sprung toes other than loads of steady walking, and definitely no running for 6 weeks.

I used to have loads of foot and wrist problems with my fast, whippet blooded lurchers,...mind you, I was running hundreds of rabbits every week,...so their feet took a pounding.  At one time, I had every one of my dogs crippled up and damaged,...it seemed as though I couldn't fecking win.

This is WHY I returned to my original breed types,.. of course in doing so,....I lost the phenomenal pace,. but my charges lasted far longer 

Wait on the advice of a specialist Vet,...he will know ....

 

 

 

 

Edited July 16 by OldPhil

[bird 9,913]

8 minutes ago, OldPhil said:

Don't be too eager to consider amputation of a toe...in some cases, there is no other option, and then you have to do what is best..

However,..by the looks of your dog's toes in your post, I feel that you are hopefully a long way off yet, from making that decision. 

Personally,.. for the future,....I would try to keep your Whippet's nails much, much shorter...

Talk to a Running Dog Vet ,....there isn't much to be done with sprung toes other than loads of steady walking, and definitely no running for 6 weeks.

I used to have loads of foot and wrist problems with my fast, whippet blooded lurchers,...mind you, I was running hundreds of rabbits every week,...so their feet took a pounding.  At one time, I had every one of my dogs crippled up and damaged,...it seemed as though I couldn't fecking win.

This is WHY I changed my breed types,.. of course in doing so,....I lost the phenomenal pace,. but my charges lasted far longer 

 

Good point that, sometimes you got to look at the big picture 1st,  not small picture your dealing with now. Deff give it couple months rest. I worked at racing for about 6 months, picked up lot good advice regards sighthound and there xs. Phil right keep on top of the nails, the trainer did them regular, meaning he clip  them, only take bit off every 2 weeks, 1st the dogs used to it, and it don't hurt them. The prob is with long nail, the quick is towards the end, so with out hurting the dog, to cut right back, you have to cut the cut through blood supply to the nail, and that deff will hurt, and noway would stand still for that, it would bite you, and don't blame it. Sometimes you might need vet to do it, and knock the dog out, to cut them all short, once down short level keep on top of it. With old Buck I had to keep on top his  as got all black nails, so carnt see the quick, so kept them short when he was younger /working. 

[Ben Bowen 0]

What was the outcome of this @yanib? My whippet just dislocated his chasing the ball. Vet has put it back in but I’m not sure the best way to manage it now 

[Peter4190 85]

On 12/07/2024 at 09:26, jukel123 said:

Even if it has to come off it won't affect the dog's ŕunning. I've had two lurchers who had to have toes removed. It's a simple low cost job using local anaesthetic.

 

The local vet told me it was £400 - 500 then a greyhound vet who I’ve used before wanted £800 to take my dogs toe off