Australian cattle dog broken toe

Yep. 7m old cattle dog during free time, turned hard in mixed dirt, Yelp and Instant heel to my side. Shaved rear right toe (left) and did a survey. Looks like a minor closed fracture. Swelled some. It appears to be healing (joining) and he occasionally walks on and places weight on foot.

I'm posting for advice. He is a genius at removing ace wrap AND the cone collar. He sleeps alot and isn't allowed fetch or walks or rough housing. He seems to be healing with only an occasional buddy splint. Vet wants 1000.00 to cast a toe. I told him he was nuts. Anyone have any experience with a toe break? I've had rib breaks and puncture wounds in dogs, but this is different. Thanks.

 

Ask another vet? I had one that needed a cast and he had it chewed off in about 2 days! They used the older plaster..The newer casts might work better? Either way your gonna have to keep his activities to a minimum! And good luck keeping a 7 month old dogs activity down!

 

Yeah... Its a challenge. My greatest fear is him damaging the new material of bone. It stays sponge like for awhile but it has its limits. Alot of older folks hunt with dogs and this is old hat. The few I've talked to balked at the idea of a 1k cast and literally told me to pull my panties up and crate and supervise him....no chase or play and don't be afraid of feeding him some egg now and again. Lol.

 

Poor pup and best of luck

 

If he’s not Kennel trained it could be worse? Throw him in with some chow and a couple favorite toys and see how he does?

 

Bandit is crate trained. The reality is this ACD is super mellow but has velcro tendencies and a WICKED on switch. I train my dogs easily, but this injury, which is primarily a working or hunting issue is outside my understanding. I'll stick with the country boy rationale..

 

Good thread. Thank you

 

No help on the broken toe. Our dog could escape every cone until we tried the inflatable cone. Like a donut that you can loop a collar through. She wore it almost 3 months.

 

To cast a dog's toe/foot down here is about $350 after the x-rays to make sure of a clean break. Don't ask how I know...lol

I'd get more vet quotes if it was me.

 

Picking up an ACD this October. Wife and I are really excited about it. I'm gonna train it to cook for us.

 

Thats actually pretty damn funny. Your expectations are appropriate. We should be well versed in Cattledogology by then so hit me up if unique questions come up. We transitioned from a Jack Russell of 15 years, and a shepherd before that. ACDs are definitely unique. He's walking and running around with his toys at the moment, assuming his toe is solid as concrete.... Gasp.

 

I bet his toe becomes a non issue in no time!

I am currently doing all the reading and vid watching i can on training. I want a very loyal, well behaved dog that has as much fun as possible a dog. We will be doing all the training ourselves.

We will do crate training, food regiment and plenty of play time. I'm practicing getting up at 4 and running as we speak so that prior to work he is tuckered.

 

Thats great. I think their physical exercise is overhyped some. They can be lazy too. A daily 3 to 4 mile walk is plenty.. Keeps their nails trimmed too. He's had around 8 days of little exercise with his toe. Doing ok. Wants to rough house. Hasn't limped in two days. Will try a light walk in a month or so.