Ryuk has broken a non-weight bearing toe (outside of rear foot). Non-displaced. He landed funny out with goofing around with my housemate's dog and the Gamblepup.


I opted out of x-rays since it was the E-Vet and they cost approximately a first born and a kidney. The vet wanted to splint it however I've heard only horror stories about splinting non-weight bearing toes on dogs. I did let them prescribe some anti-inflammatory medication (low dose, and it's about gone).

I know it's a waiting game. 4 week minimum recovery time, then only minimal exercise.

Heres' the part I'm not so sure about. He's pretty sound at a walk, and has mastered three legged hopping when he goes out to pee (it's actually very impressive!!!!). I live on the second floor, stairs are unavoidable though he's been very good at going down on three legs leaning on the wall (he's flat out refused to be carried). I've been keeping him busy with chews and toys inside, we're working on non-foot involved tricks to at least keep his brain exercised.

If I keep him crated the entire time to restrict movement when I do let him out he explodes out of the crate and zooms around the room then usually steps bad and is in pain. If I let him stay out around the room he does walk around a little to the water or to grab a toy (and uses the foot) but there are no zoomies and no additional trauma. Vet insisted on 100% crate however this is a vet who's not used to dogs with energy. I'm not sure if super mild use of the bad toe is as bad as no use at all until a moment of hard trauma every time I have to bring him outside.

Input?

I think you should let him walk around. It might take a long time to heal if he keeps re-injuring it with the zoomies. It sounds like he is taking pretty good care of it on his own.

Big boy broke a non weight bearing toe once, the vet said there was nothing she could do, but gave me meloxicam in case it bothered him, which it didn't, he had just lead walking gentle exercise on his own so he didn't get excited with the others, and it healed on it's own just fine.

It sometimes separates from the other digits, at an angle, if you know what I mean, but it never gave him any trouble.

Silly Ryuk

Consider a splint. Make it yourself- fine PVC pipe cut the long way. Get a size long enough to cup his leg from tips of nails to hock. Wide enough for cotton padding, I'd guess about 8" long for your dog, from 1/4" beyond the toes(the splint bears the weight) to a few mm beyond the hock. Or perhaps you can order one from online vet suppliers - they are called "Mason-Meta splints", essentially a plastic spoon.
A split would allow him to live almost his normal life and allow toe to heal. If he will tolerate it this would be your best alternative. Make two of them, and buy some vet wrap and a roll of cotton. This way a wet splint can be changed. You are handy, you could take it off when he's crated.
A fracture will not heal w/o immobilization. If you tell him he's beautiful and special with it on he will tolerate it, it will feel better with it on . It might take a few tries to get it right. Tips of toes under the splint should be the same temp as the toes w/o a splint. The leg lays in cotton (on the back, or underside), with a single wrap of vet wrap over the front.

PS if a person needs a prescription to buy one of these let me know. Jorgensen Labs in Colo. makes a good one, they are less than $10.00 or they used to be.

if you are considering building your own splint , use a S.A.M splint . common in the first aid world , they are perforated aluminum covered in close cell foam . they are flexible and can be cut with sturdy scissors to make a very well fitting custom splint that is easy to take on and off .

Our Weim Sable once broke her outside rear toe catching it in a hidden pipe in a field. Hers was sticking out at an angle and we had her sedated to pull it straight again, then put on the type splint Betty is talking about. Took about three weeks to heal enough for mobility.