Nail Bed Infection
2 weeks ago Tiggy was lame on her left front leg. I checked her all out and found that her outside toe was inflamed and swollen and around the nail looked very red. I was worried about nail bed infection as she's already had one on her back left foot. Its very painful so I gave her an anti inflam left over from the last episode as it was Sunday night and took her to our vet on Monday. He diagnosed a sprained toe as he could feel the joint clicking and recommended anti inflams till the pain settled and rest and then leash walking only for 6 weeks. I got worried about how swollen the toe still was and took Tiggy back to the vet and she does have a nail bed infection. It is really deep in the nail bed  and the vet says these are often very difficult to treat and often result in needing to remove the toe.  
Tiggy is on 10 days of antibiotics and if things dont look right then a further 10 days twice more for all up 1 month of antibiotics then the vet would recommend surgert to remove the nail and possibly the toe. Does anyone else have experience with this? Any other treatment recommendations. I am bathing in epsom salts currently as per the vets suggestion. PS so far the vet's not too worried about any underlying systemic issues but we will have to monitor. Any info re that possibility is also welcome. |
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| We had a sprained "digit" last year. Same treatment. Inflamatories, rest and pain killers for the first few days. It seemed to have healed but to this day, about a year later, he doesn't like that foot touched.
If its a nail bed infection, antibiotics sounds about right. My trainer's dog is going through something like this right now with her shephard. He caught some infection they think from his sheep herding. I think she said it was like an e'coli. Was very painful for the dog and for her to watch. Hope he feels better soon...and before I'd go taking off a toe, I'd get another opinion... |
| How's Tiggy doing?
Is she still on the oral antibiotics? I know with humans if they suspect osteomyelitis, they immediately are put on a long term run of IV antibiotics with a groshong catheter or some other access port for the duration. It's notoriously difficult to fight unless done aggressively, and still often leads to amputation.  |
| We are just back from the University Vet hospital.
The senior consulting vet there doesnt believe that there is any osteomyelitis. He is not worried about any underlying systemic issues which was one of my concerns. 
He has swabbed the toenail and is going to culture in case there is any fungal infection. And he has given me a topical lotion and wants me to use diluted bleach baths for the toe twice a day, as well. The bleach doesnt damage healthy tissue just kills any nasties that may be lurking. He said he has seen lots of greyhounds with the same presentation. Apparently when they run hard they can drive sand or soft soil up between the toe and the nail crease and start an infection. Wayne often calls Tiggy a greyhound, or as I say she has a "need for speed". We have been taking her to a fenced oval of late where there are no prickles, burrs or foxtails and the soil is softer and sandier there due to all the turf management so maybe that's what has happened. We are back there in a week for results of culture and followup appointment. He said he is confident that we can get on top of the infection with the topical measures as well as the antibiotics.
Tiggy thought it was Christmas. One consult room, one vet, one vet nurse and 7 or 8 vet students all to herself. She believes if there's an audience then play to it!!! She put on quite the performance. She jumped up to say "hello" to the vet and every student. Every one of them let her and gave her ears a rub. So much for negative reinforcement of bad behaviour. Then she ran up and down the row of students, they all have to stand against the wall, getting pats from each one. Lots of grinning, panting and butt wiggling required. When we left she had a little fan club waving her goodby down the corridor. The vet said she is a fine specimen of sheepie who is in great shape and a "real live wire". Mmmm I hadnt noticed that bit.  |
 Good news Mim at least she gets to keep her toe and nail Now 
Babette wants to race tiggy in the OES greyhound stakes  
Have fun keeping the racer quiet, we might need a walk again down at westerfolds (on the lead) to keep her amused,rather then a greyhound race at the moment, she can then be her usual tracker, sniff, sniff, snoofy dog missing out on all the animals around just following wonderfull scent trails.  |
| That is great news!! |
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