My husband stepped on her foot a few days ago, but she didn't start to limp until we tried to go for a hike today. She's just 6 weeks old and 4.6 pounds. Her foot is a little swollen, and she doesn't put all of her wieght on her foot when she walks. What should I do?
2006-10-29 08:00:01 · 26 answers · asked by emma's mom 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Keep her less active until she can be seen by a vet. Most puppy injuries heal quickly. however, if she didn't seem in pain until this 'hike', then it is likely healing well by itself..
2006-10-29 08:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Off to the vet for an xray. Might have broken some bones in her foot - actually make that a 'probably' broke,
She will need a foot splint/brace in that case - maybe a cast depending upon where the crack is, I fshe chews at it, and Elizabethan collar from the vet will do the trick. You can't leave it untreated (contrary to the nitwit above) and have abone heal in the proper positon.
She probably wasn't limping because she was able to favor it and protect it by not dropping the weight completely on it. Ak her to go out and do more, and she comes up lame,
Also it could have jsut been a greenstick break that now severed competely when she went out and used it heavily.
Only take 13 lbs per sq inch to break an adult bone in a mammal - lot less for wee ones.
Off to the vet.
and torbaynew...is right about not taking tiny ones out and about. She really shouldn't have been weaned yet She has virtually no immunities and is barely of an age for her first vaccinations. There are airborne ilnesses and illnesse in the soil that will kill her,
VET
2006-10-29 16:40:14 · answer #2 · answered by ann a 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely, it is not broken, or she would not be able to put any weight at all on it. The fact that she didn't limp until stressed tells me that she is probably going to be fine. Restrict her activitity (6 weeks is too young to be going on a hike, even on healthy paws). If she doesn't show good improvement within a couple of days, then see a veterinarian.
One of my dogs once suffered a broken leg. He could not put any weight on it. The vet set it, but still didn't give him any pain medication anyway. The dog chewed 3 casts off within 2 weeks. Finally, I said no more - and the leg seemed to heal fine on its own. Moral: I'm not advocating avoiding a vet, but I think you can safely give it a bit more time.
2006-10-29 16:14:29 · answer #3 · answered by 13th Floor 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it to a vet, and let them decide if an X Ray is needed. Follow there recommendation. If it's a fracture (broken leg), they can be repaired, but you have to do it right away, before the bones start to heal crooked on their own. But the vet can "set" the fracture correctly, so the bone will heal perfectly. But if you wait too long, the vet cannot do this. So what do you want, a dog that limps all his life, or a nice dog with all 4 legs? Is it worth the money to you???
2006-10-29 16:11:42 · answer #4 · answered by MrZ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Until you get her to a vet, you can splint her foot so the splint (small paint stirrer, large tongue depressor, etc. and either gauze or that self-adhearing bandage stuff) extends past the end of her foot by about 1inch - and goes up to the knee (which is really her heel). Make sure you don't wrap it too tight... just enough to support and keep the splint in place. After 20 minutes or so, feel her foot and make sure it stays warm. If it's cold, the splint may be wrapped too tightly.
Of course, if she's small enough, you can just carry her around until you get her to the vet to keep her from aggravating her injury.
And unless your husband's really short, I doubt he needs to go on a diet. :) Puppies are notorious for running under your feet until they learn better. Hopefully, yours is a smart dog.
She won't like it but it may protect her foot a bit until you get her x-rayed.
2006-10-29 16:21:27 · answer #5 · answered by iblori58 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her/him to the vet. He probably has a broken bone, or at least a fracture if he/she's only 6 weeks! Their bones aren't too strong at that age.
This could become a permanent problem if the pup doesn't get help, it could heal up wrong and cause a major disability, so I suggest to get it to the vet as soon as possible.
2006-10-29 16:09:18 · answer #6 · answered by Laura 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In dogs legg there are two bones, you can feel if it is broke or not by running you hand up it.If your not sure it maybe fractured then take them to a vet and they can make sure.Not treating a broken legg on dogs can cause it to grow back crooked causing a lot more pain and problems to the dog.
2006-10-29 16:04:53 · answer #7 · answered by blondbubbles60 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should NOT have a 6 week old puppy in the first place!!!! Only irresponsible breeders place them at that age. Secondly, you do NOT HIKE with a 6 week old puppy!!!!!!!!!! They do not have vaccines enough to offer protection and should NOT be out in public where other dogs could have been!!!!!!!! Puppies that age should just not be out of the yard!!!!!!!!!!
As for the foot, see the vet TOMORROW!!!
2006-10-29 16:04:04 · answer #8 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Take puppy to the vet and get husband glasses and a diet.
2006-10-29 16:07:40 · answer #9 · answered by Mailman Bob 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it to the vet it may just be swollen but it could be broken thats a lot of weight on such a little foot
2006-10-29 16:14:18 · answer #10 · answered by icecoldpolar7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋