Dew Claw episode
So, we drop Ryu off at daycare/boarding on Friday, July 4th on our way to the airport. No word from them all evening/night so I'm feeling pretty positive that he's handling the fireworks pretty well. So Saturday morning comes and a message from the daycare saying "Ryu was playing this morning and ripped his dew claw out. We cleaned it and wrapped it in gauze with antiseptic and he's fine but will need to see the vet when you return" UGH. Of course! So, after worrying ALL weekend and not being able to see him because we're staying in a cabin on the volcano with no internet access, we finally pick him up today and take the bandage off. After unwrapping the gauze, I almost fainted when I saw his ENTIRE dew claw sitting in my hand. His leg is fine (no limping) and the area just has some dried blood but no swelling. We're letting the area air out some before re-wrapping it tonight with some more antiseptic ointment. We have a vet appt on Tuesday afternoon but will try to get a walk-in spot tomorrow morning. Anyone experience this and/or have some advice?
I swear, you'd think we were terrible parents with all the problems we have!! I promise, we really do take good care of him! :-(
I swear, you'd think we were terrible parents with all the problems we have!! I promise, we really do take good care of him! :-(
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If it's any consolation, just think how bad the lava fields would have torn up his paws had you brought him with.
my mom's dog is 14 years old, and has 16 claws on her 4 paws. It happens! Its not pleasant, but it does happen. Thank God there were never any infections.. that can get bad.
But not intentionally, geez, JessicaRabbit, I see people's puppy ads with "declaws removed" all the time. Sick. and selfish.
How does something that happened to Ryu when you weren't around make you a bad parent?
Young Shibas are active, crazy, rough dogs. Cuts, bumps, and injuries tend to happen with some frequency.
I'm a little surprised the daycare place didn't take him to the vet. It sounds a little more serious than a simple cut or scrape. Aren't they supposed to act on your behalf while you are away?
We're still entertaining our in-laws so forum participation has been pretty low. We stayed home with Ryu today and watched him like a hawk. The vet couldn't get us in today but we still have our appt tomorrow. His leg is looking really good - no swelling, no bleeding and from what I can see, there isn't any sign of infection. We'll know more tomorrow. He's acting completely normal so that's a good sign!
As for his holiday weekend, he was pretty spoiled. He got to sleep on the owner's bed during the night and was cuddled all day. I'll keep ya'll updated! Thanks for the well wishes :-)
All went well at the vet - it was a tad inflamed and now he's on some antibiotics to prevent infection. When the vet tech was trying to take his temperature, Ryu put on the biggest show. I mean a GRAND production of screaming, thrashing about, the whole she-bang and she hadn't even tried to put it in yet!! When she finally put the thermometer in, he just sat there calmly like "Ah well, if you can't beat them, join em". Then when the doc came him, I told him "You may have to muzzle him because he won't let us get near his wound site so I don't know how he'll react with you" What do you know, the darn dog sat there like a saint and didn't so much as twitch as the doctor inspected his leg! Never a dull moment raising a Shiba, I tell ya.
Here's Ryu saying "Na-na-boo-boo. I didn't hurt my leg, I just did this so I can get sausage with my pills"
Its especially nice that he's no longer wearing that hideous orange collar. :-P
Taking a dogs temperature....That never goes well around these parts. We just don't do it anymore, it causes unnecessary stress/freak out.