I adopted an older female dog (little poodle mis) that probably was a puppy mill dog and her feet have always seemed very sensitive. About 18 months ago she began limping on her back foot. The vet did find a small bump between hertoes and did all kinds of tests. After $700 and two weeks later with no improvement we only new that it was still there and antibiotics didn't help they did some blood and tissue tests and said that it wasn't a milignant tumor. I went to my old vet and she said it was a tumor and removed it. It still didn't eal and she did exploratory surgery about two months later. She said it was an unusual wound with something like a drainage canal back to the area of the tumor but the tumor itself hadn't come back. Ultimately it would get better for awhile (she would walk on it) and then it would bother her (limping).. Finally two months ago she refused to put any weight on it and licked it non-stop. I could see an open would wth something small and white (ended up being a small rock). The vet said she had cut her foot badly on something and gave her strong oral antibiotics. That didn't work and I asked if she could stay on antibiotics for 6 weeks. She still isn't better. The swelling is down, the vet can't find a tumor but thinks amputation of toe or toes may be the answer . I can't keep it dry because she licks the bandages all the time, I can't leave it undressed because she opens the would with licking. I don't want to do the amputation, but I just don't know what in the world is wrong here. I keep it and her clean, VERY clean. HELP!! She needs me to figure this out!

I really wish we could offer some advice, but there are no vets on this site, and anything we offer would be a guess.

I will recommend a bandage. It's vet bandaging, but it's available in most drug stores, at least where I live. It's stretchy, it sticks to itself (so no tape is needed) and best of all, it's rubbery so it's very hard to penetrate with licking, or any liquid. You'd still need to change it regularly, but it will keep the area a lot cleaner, and drier. When my dogs have had to wear a bandage, they accepted this one a lot easier than others.

As for the amputation, I would seek a second opinion, from a specialist. It doesn't sound like your vet is sure that this will work, and it doesn't seem that your vet really knows what he's doing in this case, just guessing and hoping something works. Sadly that's often the case with regular vets. A specialist, someone that's actually trained to handle injuries such as this, will have a better grasp on how to proceed.

I wish you and your little fur baby the best of luck. On a final note, if you decide on the amputation, know that many dogs have their entire legs amputated, and go on to lead very fulfilled and happy lives. This doesn't have to be the end for her, in fact, it may be the best thing for her, it will rid her of the constant pain she's in. So if you have to go that route, trust that she'll adapt and learn to live with the amputation.

Good luck.

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I am using the vet bandage that you described and it is really so much better than just regular wraps, but she even chews and tugs at that, and after so many hours, she is successful on a fairly regular basis. Of course I am determined to keep it from the licking process because it opens the wound again. The battle of wills LOL! I will take your advice and check into specialists. Don't worry I won't put her down for a bad foot. The only reason I would end her life would be if the pain were horrible and there were no cure. In that set of circumstances I would want someone to help me as well. We just aren't even close to that, but we are at the point where I have exhausted my veterinary resources in our little rural area, and I sense that she is at he end of her rope with this foot condition, whatever it is.

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Originally Posted by Tao-dog

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I am using the vet bandage that you described and it is really so much better than just regular wraps, but she even chews and tugs at that, and after so many hours, she is successful on a fairly regular basis. Of course I am determined to keep it from the licking process because it opens the wound again. The battle of wills LOL! I will take your advice and check into specialists. Dont worry I wont put her down for a bad foot. The only reason I would end her life would be if the pain were horrible and there were no cure. In that set of circumstances I would want someone to help me as well. We just arent even close to that, but we are at the point where I have exhausted my veterinary resources in our little rural area, and I sense that she is at he end of her rope with this foot condition, whatever it is.

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Please keep me posted, I'd like to know if you do find a cure for this. I really wish we could be of more help, but offering a diagnosis, even if there were a vet on the site, would be impossible to do online.

We do have a few vet techs on the site, and hopefully they'll have some suggestions to at least stop the licking, or any other possible remedies, but know that anything we tell you is a best guess, not a diagnosis.

I do hope you keep in touch and let me know how the little fur kid is doing.

If you want to vent, or need a shoulder, I'm here, as are the rest of the people on this site, so vent away. Sometimes it helps. :)

What about the cone of shame?
Has the foot been cultured at all?

Well the cone is one posibility I guess but more than just preventing the licking, I want her to not have the problem. I know when I hand a hand injury, the immobilization splint they put on after surgery was agony and I understood why it needed to be on... still hated it! Her foot has been cultured but that was over a year ago. She is at the vet today, I took her in before work because she woke us up at 4:00 am panting, hot, and crying. They gave her a shot for pain and I think an antibiotic (shot) and they are going to call me this afternoon with their recommendations. Ive checked in twice but basically they are making her comfortable until they work her in. Yesterday I noticed an odor when I changed the dressing,and when I irrigated her gfoot at 4:00 this am, I could see that the wound is still open and foot is really red. I know its infected just not sure why antibiotics don't work?? Time for another culture? NOTHING works, and nobody knows what is wrong. They've ruled out a lot but can't identify what it IS! Not cancer, not a tumor, already used the strong antibiotics, Ive kept it clean and covered, and IT Won't HEAL. Thanks for the cone idea, and for taking time to answer. I really appreciate the help!

Put an e-collar on her to make her stop licking her foot.. the more dogs lick at wounds, the harder it is for that wound to heal...

If your personal vet can't figure it out, than its time to see a specialist..

Another culture is in your future... whatever it is is obviously showing resistance to the antibiotics that are being given

OK, here is what my vet just called and told me... she is resting comforably now, eating and drinking. They are giving her more antibiotics for a few days and then want to go back and reopen the wound, because they feel like it tries to heal but something is still in the wound peventing that from happening (therefore te pattern of antibiotics seem to help and then she gets worse again)... and if we can get it out (they've ven seen dogs get a wheat seed in their feet between pads and it migrates further into the foot causing problems) the problem will be solved. I checked and they did culture it last time and it came back negative for "anything bad". Sound reasonable??

Has the dog been licking the whole time?
Licking a wound will keep it open and cause it not to heal...

Last time as in a year ago? It should be cultured again. A year is a long time.