Weird growth

Its getting bigger. Ive been watching it, at first it didnt seem like it was changing much... but last night, I noticed him licking and chewing at his foot. It has gotten noticbly bigger, and it was very raw & irritated looking in the middle. It has kind of split into 2 peices, and between them it is all red. And it SMELLS. Not sure if its just bad foot smell or if it is from it being get cause he was licking it...

Called the vet to try to get in sooner, they said they'd call me back soon...

 Im going to take some pictures of it right now to compare to the first ones.

Should I soak it in something maybe? I have some dog boots, I think I'm going to put one on that foot to keep him from licking it.

I'd soak it in epsom salts until the vet can see it.  It may even slough off on it's own before you get him in to be seen.

BEVOLASVEGAS

I'd soak it in epsom salts until the vet can see it.  It may even slough off on it's own before you get him in to be seen.

Epsom Salts or a diluted Betadine Bath (tea colored consistency).

Take a deep breath. It is super scary when they have a growth, but they are going to get him and get it taken care of.

outdoorschik

Take a deep breath. It is super scary when they have a growth, but they are going to get him and get it taken care of.

I know its probably nothing really serious but Im still freaking out about it

Our regular appointment still wasnt for 2 more weeks, but they called me back & said they had a spot open up next wednesday afternoon.
He has been wearing the boot outside, at night, and durring the day when Im not home. I leave it off whenever Im around to watch him to let his foot get air, but I watch him to make sure he doesnt lick it.

 I'm wondering if the smell could be because it's infected. If you called the vet, do you think they would let you pick up a topical antibiotic to put on it until he can be examined? You may want to keep the boot on him when he's outside, to protect the wound from getting dirty. I'll be sending good vibes;{{{{hugs}}}}

That is looking more and more like what Benny had.  It will most likely have to be surgically removed.  I wish I could remember what my vet called it though, but it is very much like a nail growing in the wrong place.  It'll be ok, don't worry yourself over it much. 

Spazzy

Our regular appointment still wasnt for 2 more weeks, but they called me back & said they had a spot open up next wednesday afternoon.
He has been wearing the boot outside, at night, and durring the day when Im not home. I leave it off whenever Im around to watch him to let his foot get air, but I watch him to make sure he doesnt lick it.

I'm sorry, that's just plain WRONG.  Call them and tell them this is an OPEN WOUND, it's bleeding and has a FOUL odor.  Tell them you need to be seen **NOW**  -- I'm astonished -- you should be able to go in with something like that tomorrow morning.  My vet would NEVER make me wait nearly a week??? What's that????

This is at the very least infected.  A receptionist doesn't know -- this is honestly where you need to push -- something like that can rupture internally as well and go septic.  Nor do you want him getting into it and getting MORE infection.  Seriously --- be pushy --he needs to be seen *now*.

I'm not trying to be ratty but often when you're young and a receptionist feels the need to "control" things (especially if they think you're panicked) they'll just put you off -- but by the looks of that paw he needs to be seen. 

In other words -- I know YOU are scared, but there are times when we just have to be their advocate -- you don't want him walking on that for another week.  I wouldn't even want to put a topical on it without the vet seeing it.  This became an **urgent** thing at "foul odor'.  Does that make sense to you??

calliecritturs

Spazzy

Our regular appointment still wasnt for 2 more weeks, but they called me back & said they had a spot open up next wednesday afternoon.
He has been wearing the boot outside, at night, and durring the day when Im not home. I leave it off whenever Im around to watch him to let his foot get air, but I watch him to make sure he doesnt lick it.

I'm sorry, that's just plain WRONG.  Call them and tell them this is an OPEN WOUND, it's bleeding and has a FOUL odor.  Tell them you need to be seen **NOW**  -- I'm astonished -- you should be able to go in with something like that tomorrow morning.  My vet would NEVER make me wait nearly a week??? What's that????

This is at the very least infected.  A receptionist doesn't know -- this is honestly where you need to push -- something like that can rupture internally as well and go septic.  Nor do you want him getting into it and getting MORE infection.  Seriously --- be pushy --he needs to be seen *now*.

I'm not trying to be ratty but often when you're young and a receptionist feels the need to "control" things (especially if they think you're panicked) they'll just put you off -- but by the looks of that paw he needs to be seen. 

In other words -- I know YOU are scared, but there are times when we just have to be their advocate -- you don't want him walking on that for another week.  I wouldn't even want to put a topical on it without the vet seeing it.  This became an **urgent** thing at "foul odor'.  Does that make sense to you??

 

I dont really like this vet, but its the best one thats an option for us right now. Our vet is a 45+ minute drive away, not the one in our town. The one in my town is horrible, & I will never bring him there ever again.
There is a big vet clinic that is a little closer to me, but before (when we were switching vets from the one in my town that sucks) they werent accepting new cliants. I actually called them today to see if they would see him, but they said since he would be new there they wouldnt be able to get him in for another week, AND, they require rabies, distemper combo and bordatella vaccine. Bailey got his rabies(3year) and distemper combo last year, but I really dont want to give him bordatella. He doesnt get boarded, ever, and is never around large groups of dogs or any dogs that I dont know.... so I dont think its worth it for him to get a vaccine that is only for him to be seen by the vet once or twice a year.
Called are regular vet back again... they said there is nothing at all till wednesday.

I have been soaking it and keeping the boot on, and it looks a ton better. Well, obviously its not "better" but its not as red anymore. I think the main thing is just keeping him from licking it cause that seems to be what irritates it.

I was weird, but I sniffed each one of his feet to see if it was just foot odor. The one with the growth deffinitely smelled a little "off" compared to the others.

Good for you for trying at least.  But now you know why I, as a person about your age, moved away to a more urban area -- I HATED the vet my parents had always used ... small town vets can be a huge problem. 

Your vet can't *require* you to give certain shots -- you just plain tell them NO.  The only shot that is at all mandated *anywhere* is rabies.  But no vet can say legally "you have to give these shots".  That's unethical to be honest.  They may have their list of "recommended" vaccines.  But you are the customer -- you are the OWNER of the dog -- you pay.  You say yes, or no.

You have the right to request certain things.  like -- get titers done rather than annual vaccines.  And if your state only requires rabies every 3 years that's ALL you should do.  You ask your old vet to send his records (or better yet -- stop and get a COPY because you're 'travelling' or something) and give the new vet a copy of whatever his last vax were. 

Too often people feel captive to what a vet says.  That's where being informed before you go will help you do a better job for him. 

If I were you, I'd write down what you've done and when.  MAKE SURE you take copies of those pictures with you so the vet can SEE.  And honestly that should put an end to a lot of the wangling.

calliecritturs

Your vet can't *require* you to give certain shots -- you just plain tell them NO.  The only shot that is at all mandated *anywhere* is rabies.  But no vet can say legally "you have to give these shots".  That's unethical to be honest.  They may have their list of "recommended" vaccines.  But you are the customer -- you are the OWNER of the dog -- you pay.  You say yes, or no.

 If he has any heart damage, it is an added risk, but hopefully, something like that will be a quick surgery.

I don't vaccinate my dogs for anything but rabies, after they're adults, and they're around other dogs all the time. I did give Jewel a flu shot, because she is a bit higher risk, and it's hit very close to here.  Normally, though? Not so much. If the vet is the only vet you're comfortable seeing, though, and he requires it, you'll probably have to do it.

jennie_c_d

 If he has any heart damage, it is an added risk, but hopefully, something like that will be a quick surgery.

How will the vet know if he has any heart damage? I dont think our vet even knows that he had HWs, because when he went thru the treatment it was at the other vet (the one I hate thats in my town..) but I will make sure I ask them on wednesday if they say he needs surgery.

 Not sure? I know there are tests to tell, and some things you can tell by listening. Definitely let them know he's been through heartworm treatment, whether he needs surgery or not. It's something that needs monitoring.

A vet can absolutely require certain vaccines. We do - anytime a dog is in the hospital for surgery or boarding. MUST be vaccinated. Practice policy. We also have the right to refuse clients for those types of things if their pet is not vaccinated. (we don't, but we have every right to).

I do not vaccinate Casey, other than a 3 year rabies. My vet knows this (I work there) and is fine with it. If you come in EDUCATED - and EXPLAIN why you do not vaccinate, most clinics will be ok with it. It's more for THEIR protection - if a pet is in there, and another pet gets sick because they were not vaccinated - it will come back on the clinic for allowing unvaccinated pets around one another.

As far as the heartworms go - I would not worry about that, at all. We see a TON of heartworm dogs (we do a lot of work with rescues) and have never had an issue. We see them before, during and after treatment. Many become life-long clients. A surgery like that seems like it would be pretty short. Callie's dead on with the dental though - anytime an older pet is under, we recommend a dental cleaning, we do it as an 'add on' so it's WAY cheaper than if they were to just come in for it - healthy teeth makes for a healthy dog.

I would call your vet back - an infection is serious, and cannot wait. We would never DREAM of telling someone to wait two weeks - the longest someone ever has to wait for an appointment is a DAY, and usually not even THAT long!

Good luck - keep us posted!