[Blazer]

Hi everyone,

Out 8 month old GR has a sore on The side of his back foot. The vet said it was caused from a thorn or sting and then him licking it non stop all night. To heal, the skin "sluffed off". It is the size if a silver dollar. We bandage him daily and put a cone on him when we go to work but he somehow manages to get the bandage off...eat the bandage...and then start licking it :doh:!!! The vet said we could walk him as normal but I do t think he's ready since it is through the skin and down to the meat! Poor baby! I was thinking of maybe getting a soft muzzle for while we are gone at work so he can't chew it but I don't know if this will be a safe idea? We started using the cloth gauze tape this morning and it seems to be holding up better than the soft self sticking bandage. When I went home at lunch his foot was still wrapped but I could see he'd been chewing at it as best he could. Any safe advice will be greatly appreciated. This is our first pup and our first big owie!

Thank you!
Worried mom

 

[goldhaven]

I have an antiseptic powder that the vet gave me that I use to cover the wound then I spray it with bitter apple. I guess you could spray the bandage with the bitter apple. I usually like to leave the wound open. It seems to heal faster. I wouldn't spray the bitter apple directly on the wound because it might sting. That is why I use the powder first.

 

[BeauShel]

My vet told me to get the vicks vapor rub and put it above the wound to keep them from licking. Daisy had lick sores from when she first came to me and and nothing was working. I tried the vicks and it stopped her from licking them so they got to heal. They dont like the smell or taste.

 

[Finn's Fan]

Put a toddler sock over the bandage and use vet wrap to affix the sock to his leg. Keep the dreaded cone on him. Even five minutes of licking will reopen the sore and can cause a lick granuloma. If he gets the sock off, consider investing in some doggie booties (Ruff Wear is a good brand and hold up well). Good luck...the pups can be a real pain when you're trying to get them well!

 

[Blazer]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I took a little from everyone. We let the wound air out last night for about 2 hours and will do the same again tonight. Then we bandaged it back up. At night we put the cone back on and dabbed a little Vicks on the top of the bandage (away from area of wound and just enough for the smell because we didn't want it to leak through). To my relief, I woke up this morning to a bandage on his foot, and not in his belly! The Vicks did the trick! I will also use the sock to put over the bandage for when we walk him so the bandages don't wear. Though I think I will put a plastic baggie on first, then the sock, so no moisture gets through. Thanks again, everyone! You have not only provided good advice, but also peace of mind!

 

[Blazer]

P.S. The wound is already visibally smaller since it has aired out and he has not been able to lick at it! That is good to see!!! Thank you!

 

[Blazer]

Well, that was short lived. I woke up at 3:30 this morning to sounds of him chewing it off again...(sigh)! Frustrating!

 

[goldhaven]

Don't let that discourage you. You may just have to change things up a bit. He may have gotten used to the smell. I use bitter apple to keep them from chewing almost anything including their sores. I know people who use cayenne pepper, tabasco, or anything else around the house that would deter the chewing without hurting the dog. Just remember don't get discouraged and don't give up. You will have this problem licked in no time.

 

[Karen519]

Pup

Have you called the vet again.
Maybe they might suggest a benadryl or maybe not.
Also, you might have to put a Cone around his neck so he can't chew the foot.
The vet would have them -they use them for dogs that have had surgery, so they can't rip the stiches open. Pet Supply stores also carry the cones

 

[LibertyME]

if you decide to get a muzzle....I would opt for a basket muzzle...the soft muzzles are not to be worn for extended periods of time...

Having said that, the thought of leaving a dog unsupervised with a muzzle on gives me the shivers thinking of all the possible things that can go wrong....

 

[Blazer]

Goldhaven, I had to laugh when you said I'll have the problem "licked" in no time...LOL :-D I stopped at Wal-Mart this morning and picked up some sports tape in the first aid section. The tape is wider and I actually had to cut it with a scissors so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will do the trick. I went home at lunch and it was still on and secure. What a relief! It also stays on better during walks. I think I also have some bitter apple around from when he was a puppy. I was a little nervous that it would leak through the bandage but if I remember correctly I think it says on the bottle that it can be sprayed directly on the wound. I'll spray some of that on there tonight. Thanks for the support...the laughs...and the extra ideas . I'll keep you posted!

 

[Blazer]

P.S. - The vet gave him a cortisone shot when he first went in and he is on daily antibiotics. Do any of those have side effects? He seems to keep brushing his face with his paws like it itches (He looks like when a bunny cleans it's face). He has also been shaking his head a lot like his ears are bothering him a little. I clean them weekly and there is no signs of infection or redness. ??? It may be nothing but I am just curious. Thanks again!

 

[Karen519]

Medications

Do a google on the meds and see if those are possibly side effects.

Sounds like he could have an allergy to something with the head shaking and the pawing his face, or maybe an ear infection?

 

[goldencontriever3]

When Minnie tore her pad and needed stiches we used a bootie that the sell at Petsmart for dogs in the winter. My DH wrapped it with a piece of duct tape and she was not able to get it off. We only used it when we were gone and she was in her crate. Good Luck!

 

[Blazer]

Well, I think he's going to make it Since my last post he has only been able to get the sports tape off once and the wound is healing nicely. I think in a week it will be all healed up and we will be able to put this all behind us Thank you to everyone who offered advice and support!