Ralphs Foot!

[Snifferboy 659]

Hi all,

 

I was asked for a bit of advice recently as a good friends dog Ralph keeps losing his nail when worked. The lad in question does everything right in my eyes, the dog gets rested for months then when the nail has grown back he starts out gentle with walks on the lead etc. then on to a bit of retrieving down the beach, moving on to the fields after that until the dog is good and fit again. As soon as he goes out lamping pretty much the first run will result in losing the nail again.

The dog does run hard (pretty heavy footed) but isn't a big heavy dog nor has he been worked hard in stupid conditions. The vet has said that he wants to take the toe off as it is an easier operation than removing the nail bed, but having seen what happens to another friends dog that has had a toe removed I said to wait as every time Mavis is ran she is lame for the next week. So the question is what would you do? Or could you advise on a more suitable Greyhound vet in the Devon and Cornwall area?

 

Any help will greatly appreciated,

 

Cheers Sniffer

[socks 32,253]

It's an outside toe so no real worries there ... Mind you I would get them nails cut back that would help for starters .......

[LaraCroft 863]

Just my opinion...

 

The other nails look fairly long - I find that long nails are more easily damaged when working. Not saying that is what happened with the lost nail, but it doesn't help. Keeping them short with road work ( I go running with mine, their nails are kept short with that) or trimming them regularly, makes it harder for them to be damaged.

 

If it's a damaged nailbed that is producing a weak nail, then either having the nail removed permanently, or the toe totally may help, but front nails/toes are more difficult for the dog to adapt to than back toes.

[Taz-n-Lily 62]

Easy job to remove a nailbed in humans. I've done loads (I'm qualified) painlessly and permanently, and I can't see why it would be difficult in a dog.

 

Second vet opinion needed.

[Snifferboy 659]

I agree that the nails could do with trimming but surely this shouldn't keep happening?

 

Taz n Lily thanks for that, I didn't think it would be too much of a problem either both my big toes are nailless! I have suggested a second opinion to him already but I think he was probably hoping for a recommendation.