Caleb the tank is no so much a tank

[MelmoK]

So, yesterday we went mushroom hunting out at my parents farm and my brothers property. It's 36 acres and 20 acres on my brothers.
The dogs got to come, no problems, they walk with us on both properties often.
All was well until near the end of the hunt (we only found a dozen morels :( ) when we stumbled upon what looked like an impromptu 'party' ground. No one in either family leaves garbage out, but, somehow, Caleb found the only broken piece of glass in the area and sliced his toe pad. Well, he removed a few layers of pad on his right front 'pinky' toe.
Being the stoic crazy dog that he is he attempted to go bounding after a rabbit but I grabbed him, he is of course bleeding like a stuck pig, I wrap is paw in my hankie and carry him back to the truck (26lbs feels like a ton when you're walking a mile). The local vet is closed on Sundays but since we've known him since I was 3 we gave him a call at home to see what if anything we should do.
Since it couldn't be stitched he told us just to do what we were.
So, we cleaned it, put some antibiotic on it, and I chose to wrap it and put one of Charlie's outgrown booties on him.
He left it alone which surprised me, he did knock it once which started it bleeding again and it went through the bootie. I put his leash on him and he settled. So, when we got home last night I changed the dressing on it and then this morning, there was no signs of bleeding so I removed it all so it could get some air.

He's limping but doing well, vet said keep an eye on it.

What really is unfortunate about this timing is we brought our new girl home this weekend. So he's having to cut back on his play a lot.

[Kassie]

Poor Caleb! And yes, 26lbs is a lot to carry for a mile!:SHOCKED: Good quick thinking and once again, thank heavens for available vets to advise. (It always helps our nerves. ) Quiet healing vibes to Caleb!

~~~~~~~~~~~~Caleb~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Corgifan]

Ouch, pad cuts are such a mess!

Here's a tip I picked up from a vet we knew some years ago when Watson got a small gash, maybe a 1/4" v-shape on his head during some rough play with our GSD: I called Dan to see if we should bring Watson in for a stitch or two. He said if the gash was mostly surface to just push the little flap down and put a bit of "instant glue" on it.

Side story: I'd used that method on myself for years when I'd get a small cut while working in the garage (clean wound first!) but I didn't know if it was advisable with dogs.

Anyway, it worked like a charm on Watson because the glue immediately seals over the wound and then absorbs into the system over the next day or so and by then natural clotting and scabbing has begun. I'd normally use something more conventional/natural for a wound but in a pinch I'd use the CA again if need be.

Doug

[MelmoK]

Well the skin is gone, it's a circular wound, took off a few layers. As of today it's definitely doing better, no bleeding. He's being a pain about moving around a ton, I went to take them out and he flew out the door, jumping down all the steps...

Ah well, I can only try to protect him from himself.

I have heard that about glue, if it would have been a flap of skin instead of an open wound I would have tried it. I'm sure I'll get another chance now that I've got two four legged troubles.

[Jespah]

Oh poor Caleb - that must hurt! He and Deb (Mtoy) seem to have the same injury right now. Sounds like he is on the mend - obviously the thing to worry about is an infection. We have joked about the use of a condom before to protect a foot - but if that isn't your choice, some of us have been able to make booties out of balloons with their necks cut down. Just in case it gets wet there - you might want to make sure you have something available to protect it.

Bummer he's not at his best to meet his new "sister". :WINK:

[taflar]

Side story: I'd used that method on myself for years when I'd get a small cut while working in the garage (clean wound first!) but I didn't know if it was advisable with dogs.

Surgical glue was first used in Viet Nam. It's been used in surgery with vets since the late 80's/early 90's at the very least. It had been used on my dogs in that time frame.

Also, I've used super glue on dogs myself. On one when the stitch from docking came loose. My vet said if you're going to use it to close a wound you need to use a new unopened bottle. An opened one will can have bacteria in it.

And by the way, some of the surgical glues sting. You can buy them in dog supply catalogs, look for VetBond or Nexaband (I think those are the names.)

I'd normally use something more conventional/natural for a wound but in a pinch I'd use the CA again if need be.

:WINK: Glue is conventional. Maybe not natural, but then again is stitching natural?

Peggy

[Betsie]

They make disposable booties for dogs. they look like a small balloon. I think thery are about $4.99 for a dozen. I might pick up a pack just in case connor gets into trouble.

Betsie

[mtoy]

Poor Caleb! And yes, we both seem to have the same wound!

I cut myself a lot (by accident, of course, a klutz in the kitchen). I keep Super Glue on hand all the time, and have used it many times. A new tube always. I buy the multi-packs.

For the un-glue-able wound I found that wrapping sterile gauze around it really helped. Once the bleeding stopped I left the first layer of gauze on it and just cut the rest off. It keeps it from bleeding any more. I can apply ointment to the gauze and then put a band aid over it. Then a finger protector as needed, but in Caleb's case I'd use a balloon as Deb suggested. Cut the neck to where it starts to open wider and you're set.

Hope it heals fast!

[Jespah]

And by the way, some of the surgical glues sting. You can buy them in dog supply catalogs, look for VetBond or Nexaband (I think those are the names.)

Peggy

Good thing to have in a doggy/pet first aid kit - I should get some for camping - you never know how far away you are from help. Although, when I camp, I use my GPS to find the nearest vet and program the directions in so I don't even have to think about it if something happens.

[disraeli ears]

Poor little Caleb...hope he heals up quickly. :SMILE:

[corgiland]

So sorry to hear about Caleb's hurt foot!

Hope that it heals quickly.........

[Corgifan]

Surgical glue was first used in Viet Nam. It's been used in surgery with vets since the late 80's/early 90's at the very least. It had been used on my dogs in that time frame.

Interesting, Peggy. Back in the '70s I owned a hobby shop about at the time CA glues were becoming popular with model builders. The sales rep who talked me into stocking CA glue told me the Viet Nam story but I never took it too seriously. As I've discovered over and over again in my own garage +WEEP+ the glue doesn't even sting much on a small cut. Oddly (or maybe not), I'm probably more careful with 1st aid for my pets than I am with myself.

It does sound like poor Caleb has a wound that will take a while to heal since the skin is gone.

Doug

[Dillydoodle]

ouch! poor Caleb... I sure hope his foot feels better fast. Sounds like he wont let it slow him down though!

Congrats on the new puppy... so where are the photos?

[MelmoK]

the day after the injury Mr. Woe Is Me

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/Novallee/poorcaleb.jpg