Born Hunter 17,965 Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 (edited) Just back from the vets..... Took my lurcher out for a quick half hour walk as she had been in all day, took off across plough and stubble and came running back to me knackered as usual, no lameness............ Then I noticed her front right outside toe was swollen and pointing out by about 30 degrees! Suspected it was broken but got her to the vets and the vet confirmed it was broken just below the nuckle! Dillema...... The vet wants to amputate but I said that has to be a last resort. He's a former track vet and said that it's standard practice for track dogs and because it's an outside (non weight bearing) toe it should'nt effect her at all. I'm sceptical!.......... I've also phone an old track trainer and he said without hesitation to have the toe off, he said with it being an outside toe the dog will be running again within 3 weeks! She's having an x-ray on wednesday to see what sort of break it is and whether there will be a good chance of the break fusing and then carry out whatever I decide. I would really apreciate some input from lurchmen as a lurcher's job is a bit different to a track grey's...... Proper shitter at this point in the season! FFS! Edited November 4, 2012 by Born Hunter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moonlighter 1,165 Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 To be fair, you've already asked 2 experts. There is no point listening to someone off here who you probally don't even know. If they are genuine greyhound vets and trainers then they will know what there talking about. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Born Hunter 17,965 Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 To be fair, you've already asked 2 experts. There is no point listening to someone off here who you probally don't even know. If they are genuine greyhound vets and trainers then they will know what there talking about. They're both genuine. But surely a greyhound that runs for maybe 3-4 years on perfect ground with no hard turns is a bit different to a lurcher that is worked a lot harder on less than perfect ground with hard bends? I haven't really got a choice, if the fracture is oblique the toe has to come off but if it's transverse then there may be a chance of a decent mend. Just not sure if to have the toe off anyway and was hoping some of the more experienced coursing folks could tell me how they have gotten on with dogs short on digits? Just spoken to a very experienced hound man and he has removed broken outside toes on a fair few hounds over the years. Seems common practice and good recovery back to work..........??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moonlighter 1,165 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 I know of a few coursing dogs that have had toes removed and still run ok. It amazes me how many injurys greyhound get, concidering they run on sand for about 40 seconds once a week! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mochastorm 68 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Ideally your dog is better off with all of its toes, but quickly compensates following amputation. I have a collie greyhound bitch that had an injured toe. It was nearly two months trying to heal the original injury having her crated in the kitchen with a 'lampshade' on her head, and some heavy vet bills. Eventually it was decided to amputate the damaged toe. After a few weeks she was healed up and unless you examined her closely you wouldn't know. The greyhound men are usually the experts in these matters and they've hopefully reassured you. Bite the bullet now and you'll be running by Christmas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
troter58 1,711 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 get it took off mate it is a out side toe dog will be fine with out leave it on to heal dog will be lame every couple of weeks forever knocking it up i had a dog done few years back was no diffrent ran on to 10 years old with out the toe hope this helps you atvb troter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Born Hunter 17,965 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Well, she's been in this morning and I made it clear that I wanted amputation as a last resort. I'd rather have tried to mend it if at all possible and have it off later if it wasn't right. I'm back at the vets at 5 as he wants to speak to me about the x-rays but the impression I got was that the vet has in fact amputated. I had to get family to collect the bitch so not had chance to speak to anyone to confirm. The toe looked bad on Sunday night though so I wouldn't at all be suprised if it was smashed to bits and had to come off. I'll have to let you know this evening. She'll be four in spring. I had hoped to get another season out of her before I had a pup to start. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mochastorm 68 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 You don't need another pup, she'll be running just the same in a few weeks with one toe less. It's only a minor thing considering some the injuries that running dogs get. Keep your chin up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Born Hunter 17,965 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I hope you're right. I was looking into getting a pup on over the summer anyway. I'll know by the end of this season whether she is right or not hopefully. It'll make getting a pup a little less urgent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Born Hunter 17,965 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 She still has all her digits for the time being. The X-rays showed a nasty dislocation between P1 and P2. So, no brake.... The hope is that the joint will tighten and scar sufficiently to keep the joint stable. Realistically without some serious ligament surgery nothing can be done. If the joint doesn't stabalise then the toe is coming off. The vet said that there is a chance so I'm going with it. Ya can't put it back on once it's off. I'm getting a copy of the X-ray that I'll stick up for anyone interested. Also gonna send it to a third party I have been speaking to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mochastorm 68 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 No running and gentle lead walking for a few weeks until it's sorted itself. There are some greyhound sites that I've personally found useful in the past for advice, but ultimately listen to your vet. Best of luck. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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