Fractured toe

[borzoimom]

I was wondering how long people have noticed a fracture of toes takes to heal. Zubin, as ya'all know, injured himself. At first the vet thought it was a muscle strain as the radiographs showed nothing. The second set showed a fractured toe. Borzois have that hare foot of long toes and considering how it happened this would make sense.
Anyway- this is what I am being told. A Fractured toe, if it were bad enough could be set ( it isnt) and obviously casting the dog in their opinion puts more of a strain on other muscles. Since the toe is not cracked enough to change positions etc, just let it heal up. Except for a limp which is improving although still lame there is marked improvement.
I was told it normally takes 3 weeks.. I am interested in others experiences.

[borzoid]

I think healing time will depend on how and how much he uses it. Of course you don't want him tearing around the yard but shy of casting it you can't keep him from using it.

Unfortunately one mistep could set back any healing already done. I think 3 weeks is a minimum but will probably take longer. Keep him on leash when pottying...avoid stairs....avoid rough-housing.

Hugs to Zuby...hope he feels better soon

[golden&hovawart]

For a frature,I was told from 3 to 6 weeks,depending on where it is,if he puts any weight on and how clumsy the animal is!.

[borzoimom]

Yea the vet said take off pain meds so he is less likely to use it and control his activities more.. I know I have fractured a toe a few times but usually like two weeks it is normal. Then again- I was controlling what I did too.
I know with people it can take a while before the fracture becomes obvious. Only good thing is he didnt pull a muscle ..

[golden&hovawart]

This is what I found for you!.Hope it helps but they don't talk about how long it can take,to get better!.
FRACTURE OF THE DIGIT (TOE) IN DOGS
By: Dr. David Diamond
Edited by: Dr. Nicholas Trout

Overview


Fractures of the bones of the digits (toes) are occasionally encountered in veterinary medicine. These fractures are usually the result of trauma and often produce a severe lameness of the affected limb with swelling and discomfort of the toe. The swelling and the associated lameness may improve with time and rest, such that it becomes obvious only when your dog exercises.

There are four toes on each foot of a dog and three bones in each toe. The two middle toes bear most of the animal's weight. Fractures in these middle toes are more likely to lead to lameness than when the outer toes are affected.

The trauma may have been obvious, as in a fall from a height, a motor vehicle accident, a bite wound or the dog being inadvertently stepped on, or subtle, as might occur when a dog stumbles while running.

When the fractures do not involve a joint, the long-term consequences are generally very mild or even non-existent. However, when a joint surface is involved, arthritis can result and cause persistent pain that may cause chronic (long-term) lameness.

What to Watch For

• Limping
• Signs of pain such as hiding or behaviour changes

Diagnosis



Diagnostic tests are necessary to determine the presence of the fracture and assess its location and severity concerning how many digits are involved and whether they include the central weight bearing toes, for example. No laboratory tests are required to make the diagnosis.

In addition to obtaining a complete medical history and performing a thorough physical examination, tests that your veterinarian may wish to perform include:

• Chest radiographs. X-rays to determine if there is injury to the lung if the fracture was caused by major trauma
• Complete orthopaedic examination to look for other causes if there is lameness in the affected leg
• Radiographs of the affected foot

Treatment



The treatment will vary depending on the severity of the injury and an other trauma the dog has suffered. Some treatment options may include:

• Emergency care for concurrent problems caused by the trauma
• Treatment of concurrent fractures and soft-tissue injuries
• Immobilization of the foot in a splint
• Injectable analgesics (pain medications) may be given to your dog while being treated in the hospital and may be continued orally once your dog is discharged from the hospital.

Home Care and Prevention



There is no home care for digital fractures. If a trauma has occurred, prevent your dog from using the foot, walking or bearing weight on the injured leg. Take your dog to your veterinarian for immediate attention as soon as possible after any trauma.

After diagnosis and treatment, if your dog is in a splint, limit your dog's activity for several weeks. The splint will need to be re-dressed or changed approximately every two weeks, or sooner if it becomes wet or soiled or if your dog develops any rub sores at the top of the splint.

A re-check appointment with your veterinarian may occur in several weeks to evaluate how the bone is healing (with new radiographs), to monitor your dog’s progress and to make sure it is safe to increase your dog’s activity level.

Many traumatic events are true accidents and thus unavoidable. Avoid the chance for motor vehicle trauma by keeping your dog confined in a fenced in yard and walking him on a leash.

[fairlight]

Heck....I myself am good at breaking my own toes and it took a good six months to heal. My daughter fractured her wrist years ago and she was in a cast for 6 weeks. I would say more than 3 weeks BM...I would shoot more for 6 weeks because Zubin is using his foot and it is not imobilized.

[weezyNollie]

Depends on the fracture. Ollie broke his tibia as a puppy and it took 5 weeks to heal, he also was placed in a cast/bandage for those 5 weeks. Plus, he was a puppy -- they heal MUCH faster than adults.

If the fracture is really that minimal, I would say 4-6 weeks. Possibly more if the fracture is more involved.

Why doesn't the vet want to do bandages/splints?

[Maliraptor]

Torro fractured his toe in 2005. It was a mess, and involved 2 joints. He was splinted for 3 weeks, and limped when the splint was taken off.

We did Adequan injections, GlycoFlex, and no pain meds once the splint came off.

He did well for about a year, until the arthritis in that toe became very bad and he was limping again. We did a nerve block on the toe, and he was sound. The vet's suggestion was to remove the toe.

[borzoimom]

Wow.. Zubins break is no where near that bad.
Here is a video showing his limp. Sorry for the background noise- my voice is barely back and the news was on really loud..
Its odd that when he turns in his " inside circles" you almost can not see it- only right now when he walks straight on. ( its hard to keep ahead of a dog that is that long..)
http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=2q1w45w&s=3