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  #1  
Old May 20th, 2013, 01:49 PM
BigMax BigMax is offline
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Unhappy Swollen and infected toe joint

My dog has a badly swollen and infected rear foot toe joint that is very painful. He will not touch his foot to the ground. The vet took xrays, says nothing is broken, and indicated it might just be a soft tissue injury. However, it has been nearly three weeks since onset and it seems to be getting worse. There is no evidence whatsoever of any puncture, bite, sting or injury, but I won't rule any of them out. We have been to the vet 3 times and spent way too much to be no closer to a diagnosis. My dog is a golden retriever, previously healthy, but loosing his will to live. He hates to be laid up. Any ideas?
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Old May 20th, 2013, 04:42 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
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I think you should bring your dog to an ER vet, if he has an infection and is getting worst , it could give your dog blood poison. I think you should bring your dog to an ER vet, if he has an infection and is getting worst , it could give your dog blood poison. If you dog start to get a red line on his leg he need to go to ER right away.
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  #3  
Old May 20th, 2013, 04:49 PM
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Winston Winston is offline
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Have you checked to be sure it is not the nail? or perhaps some kind of ingrown hairs? If you pup has the webbed feet I would be sure to check in between the toes. My labby used to get redness and inflammation in between there. Can you soak the foot in some ebsom salts? If you were to get the dog to lay down then have his paw soak in a tray or dish of some kind. It will help with healing and may highlight any areas on the skin affected. Good Luck!
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Old May 20th, 2013, 07:38 PM
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growler~GateKeeper growler~GateKeeper is offline
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What treatment options has the vet given?

Anti-inflammatories?
Anti-biotics?
Joint supplements?

Is the joint warm or hot to the touch? Have you tried either a warm or cold compress?

Have you soaked the foot in warm water & epsom salts?
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Old May 21st, 2013, 03:43 AM
MaxaLisa MaxaLisa is offline
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Agree with all of the above.

My boy had a nail (dewclaw) that was swollen aand ore, and it was at the nailbed. Eventually we had to amputate the toe - biopsy showed a weird reactive bone and some immune system cells that I can't remember. For the rest of his life he had weird swelling isues in that paw.

Not sure I would see an ER vet, but I would eek aa second opinion, or get a referral to maybe a specialist.

Tick disease could do this, and as mentioned, so can weird infections (staph, e.coli, etc), o I would try a trial of abx if one has already been tried.
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