Bad Foot Tank

I'm posting late today because we had an incident last night with Tank. He slipped and tore his nail at the base. To say it was painful would be an understatement. 

He bled buckets all over the floor. I finally calmed him down enough to put pressure on the bleeder and stop the geyser.

I checked on him throughout the night to make sure he wasn't developing an infection or swelling. 

As he was dozing, I got a better look at the tear and managed to snip the fur around his toe so I could see it more clearly.

It was bad. The poor baby had torn his nail at the base, right where nail meets foot.

I called the vet's office as soon as they were open and got an early appointment. But here's where I had to make some hard decisions.

Tank reacts violently to anesthetic. It was obvious he'd have to be sedated to cut this nail because of the location of the tear. Topical numbing agents wouldn't deaden the raw nerve, and injecting him with a topical anesthetic would only cause him more pain with all the needle pricks he'd have to endure.

My choice: Either let the vet take the nail off without anesthetic. Painful but quick.  Or take the chance with anesthetic and hope he doesn't succumb to three days of nausea.

I opted for no anesthetic. I swear to you, I felt his pain as clearly as it had been my own. We taped his muzzle shut to prevent him from biting anyone and three of us hung on to him.

The vet was fast, thank goodness. He cut the nail cleanly, but it took all three of us to keep him still while the vet dressed the wound and bandaged him. As soon as they put him back on the floor I took that tape off his muzzle. 

Tank was very upset so I tried to make it up to him. We headed straight to Sonic and I got him a double meat cheeseburger and some water. I'm not sure if he's forgiven me yet, but he did enjoy that hamburger.

He's snoozing now. I'm keeping Nana away from him for now so he can rest comfortably.

Hugs and good wishes to Tank are gratefully accepted. The poor boy could use them.


Comments

Brandy said…
Aww, poor Tamk. Sending gentle ear rubs and healing thoughts to the sweetie.
Mike Keyton said…
And a Welsh hug and rub from me - for Tank that is : )
Maria Zannini said…
Thanks, Mike. I've heard those Welsh hugs have might curative powers.
Maria Zannini said…
Brandy: He loves his ears rubbed. I'll tell him the next ones were from you. :)
Angela Brown said…
Okay, I just got seriously teary-eyed. Some of them went rogue and just fell anyway. Poor Tank :-(

Please let him know that I send big hugs and head rubs his way.

And big hugs to you as well, Maria. Tank is your special gentle giant and I know you felt every bit of his pain as your own.
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: I did feel it! I had to be strong for him though. I don't like to see my babies hurting.

I know how much he adored you too, so those hugs are extra special to him.
Renee Miller said…
Poor guy. That happened to Bear a few years ago. He got a nail caught between the deck boards and it split right down into the base. I've never seen so much blood. But our vet didn't touch it. He said to let the nail grow out and then clip it. Bear is pretty docile, though, and didn't fight anything we did. So it was easy to trim it as the split section grew out and the paw healed.

Hope Tank feels better soon. It was a long and painful healing process for Bear. :(
Poor baby! Polly ripped one of her nails off one time, but we were able to put her out. She was one grumpy dog when I took her home, though. She attacked another dog in the waiting room at the vet, something she'd never done before or since. She had to wear this little boot for a week and soak her foot every night in a solution of warm water and soothing ointment.

I still remember her very confused face as she laid down and we made her put her foot in the bowl. She did enjoy all the special treats she got as well as the added bonus of having her comfy bed moved to the living room during the day.
Maria Zannini said…
Renee: I considered letting the nail grow out on its own, but Tank is elderly and unsteady on his feet. If he fell again it would be all the more painful the next time, not to mention he'd have to be careful around the other dogs rough housing. I wanted him to get full use of his paw as soon as possible even if it meant some pain for the short term.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: I can totally understand that. If you've ever lost a nail down to the nail bed, it is EXTREMELY painful. It's happened to me and I don't recommend it.

I don't blame Polly for attacking. I'm sure she was in a lot of pain. I'm glad at least you were able to anesthetize her. That's a blessing.
Stacy McKitrick said…
Oh my gosh! Poor baby! Poor Maria!!! At least it went quickly. I truly think it's better that way, too. Drugs don't always make things better if you don't react well to them (I know I don't).

Hugs and kisses to EVERYONE!!!

LD Masterson said…
Aw, Tank. You big brave boy. Tell mom that hamburger was okay but let's get some steak going. Or whatever else you really love. I wish I was there to give you hugs and some major ear rubbing. Feel better soon, old boy.

(Maria - I think a glass of wine is in order for you. Maybe a couple glasses.)
Sarah Ahiers said…
AWWWW! Poor Tank! We're not having any luck with our pups this week, are we?
And ugh on the nail tear. George did that once and i hope he never does it again. For him, though, he had ripped it off so thouroughly the vet was able to take it off without any further pain.
Poor Tanky. I'm glad he got a cheeseburger out of the deal
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: That's what spurred my decision. It would be excruciating for a few seconds, but then it'd be over. Much as I hate to cause him any pain, I had to think of the long term effects on him.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: I thought about that glass of wine. LOL. I think I'll hold off until Greg gets here.

The only thing worse than going through a crisis is being the person 300 miles away who can't help comfort his boy.
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: I know! Holy cow, what was going on this week? Was the Dog Star in the wrong position?

I hope George is back to his old self. There's nothing sadder than a sick puppy.
Unknown said…
Oh poor Tank! I cringed the whole time I read this. Poor baby. Give him lots of hugs and cheeseburgers from me. :)
Jackie said…
Ouch does not cover it, Tank lots of smoochies and hugs and belly and ear rubs your way boy and please take it easy so Mama Maria does not have to make such a heart wrenching choice for you again anytime soon!

Maria hugs and belly rubs for you too, I know those knots in your tummy are still hanging on even though all worked out well after all the anguish you both faced during the proceedings.

Nothing worse than a poor pup or kitty getting their nail caught like that and then ripping it, my babies have done the same but luckily for me it was minor because you would have had to given me anesthesia rather than my pet if a medical procedure would have been called for Maria.
Gwen Gardner said…
Awww, poor Tank! I would have made the same decision as you, Maria. The pain would be momentary. Great big hugs and kisses to Tank!
Maria Zannini said…
Darke: He will love you forever for telling me that. :) Greg's already decided that we're taking him out for burgers this weekend.
Maria Zannini said…
Jackie: It was awful! To hear his pitiful crying just broke my heart.

Tank is tough. He never cries unless it hurts. My poor baby.
Maria Zannini said…
Gwen: It was the right thing to do but you never want to be the one responsible for hurting someone you love. He's been spoiled rotten today.

Greg comes home tomorrow night. He'll really be spoiled then.
Anonymous said…
Poor baby!! Hope he feels himself again soon and that nail heals quickly.

Hugs and pets from Vegas :)
Maria Zannini said…
Raelyn: He's been enjoying all the extra attention. I'm not sure if he'll trust me again to trim his toenails, but one problem at a time. :)
Shelley Munro said…
Oh, poor Tank. I hope in has a speedy recovery. It sounds as if you had a bad time of it too, Maria.
Anne Gallagher said…
Oh poor Tank. Poor Maria too. I know what it's like to have to make decisions like that. I'm glad he's going to be okay. Now try and get some rest.
Maria Zannini said…
Shelley: It's never easy to see someone you love in pain. He's still limping, but not as much.
Maria Zannini said…
Anne: That was the worst part, knowing I was deliberately going to cause him pain. In the end, it was the best decision, just not an easy one.