Broken Toes, Advice Needed

[knkparara]

My six month old chocolate lab broke two toes last week, one weight bearing and one non-weight bearing. He is to be splinted for 6-8 weeks. Does he really need to be splinted for that long? Any pros/cons for sedation, I can't stand the thought of it, but after wrestling him for two hours yesterday to stay down, I did it. Today he must have some residual because he is pretty mellow. We are lucky, he is a fairly calm pup to start. Does one of these harnesses work for a front leg injury like his? He is only supposed to walk to go potty, that's it! Any advice welcome and needed!

[critters]

I'm not a vet, but I have to say my own busted ankles, feet, and toes haven't been laid up that long!

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

I agree with critters. I have broken toes, along with a bunch of other bones. Those toes will hurt, now!

The splint, while it is uncomfortable, prevents a constant 'rebreaking' of the bone and allows a healing time, and it feels a whole lot better than leaving that poor toe out there on its own to face the world defenseless

Doggie asperin, an otc you can p/u at petco or anywhere will take some of the edge off.

A harness won't take the complete weight off. I would keep him confined as much as possible, make him a den in a bedroom, with all his favorite things, including, but not limited to you!

[swilson]

Hi, I to have a golden retriever with sore front foot. He had some growths taken off. I live in a condo on the fourth floor. It takes a whole hour to walk down the hallway ( with breaks) and down another hallway. Out to try to urinate. Then back upstairs. He has not been going to the bathroom. I think it is his balance. I don't know to help him. Any suggestions?

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

Ask doc if he is in pain, and about some pain relievers and the front lift harness would probably help him balance and get some confidence back as well as take pressure off, but if it hurts to walk, you too may consider a splint until his injury heals. Wow, 4 floors!

[critters]

swilson! I'd get a walking aid http://www.handicappedpets.com/prodwalk.htm .

[CarolC]

Do you have a balcony? Can you potty him on puppytraining pads on the balcony?

[swilson]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I checked some of them out. Brady use to go do his business around 9:00am. Today, I finally convinced him to give it a try. It took quite along time to get to the main level of building. Finally, we get to the side door. Well, as soon as he felt the rain he wanted to go home. I took him back to some shelter and waited. I'm not going to spend all this energy of myself and him to get this far only to turn around and go home. We rested for awhile and then I said lets go. He is so smart, stubborn, and tricky that what he did is lead me around to the front door. We rested in the lobby for a while and then a neighbour and her dog came by. Brady was happy to see her dog and got up. I thought I could take advantage of this and get Brady to follow her dog. As we were going down the hallway my neighbour said to me "what about taking him off the lease like an earlier time when he did pee". Well my goodness. He started walking fast and putting his sore foot down on the ground a little bit. Then every few steps he put his foot down flat on the ground. What a relief! I am so glad that he doesn't have to work so hard to get outside, it was heartbreaking.

Dog psychology, I have no idea what the leash means to him. Thanks for all your help. May be remember this story in case someone else has this problem.

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

Wow! He is smart! How long did it take for him to train you

[swilson]

Ok Ok you can stop laughing now. We have known each other for almost 10 3/4 years.