So I broke the dog 4 weeks ago on a proper dad/dog walk. He basically broke the outer toe on his right foot. He’s been re xrayed today and it’s no better. There is now talk of amputation. At no point has he been in a cast, just bandaged and told to keep calm, how that’s possible with a jack x beagle pup is debatable.
Bit fed up now as he’s so young and got lots of miles still to do…

Hard to say without seeing the xray but just strapping the foot up would be the treatment of choice for a simple fracture. Always difficult with a very lively dog though – you can splint the foot but that can present other problems in a very active patient. To be honest, taking the toe off sounds severe but it may be the best option for all concerned.

Edit. It’s always worth speaking to your vet about it again though. If you’re really not keen to amputate, I’m sure they would be happy to try alternatives.

Unfortunately not a simple fracture, he smashed the bone. Having spoken just to an old school friend who runs a practice a cast may of been a better option. Stupiddog/bestmate!

Resident vet says:

Amputate (cheaper and no long term problems) or refer to local veterinary hospital with orthopaedic surgeon (expensive, insured?).

And rest (restrict to house, take out for pees and poos)

You’re not far from is if memory serves. Ask your vet for a referral to Graham Oliver in hucknall. If anyone can offer a cunning repair, it’s either him or Noel Fitzpatrick.

He won’t miss a toe. We used to have cows that we had to take one of their claws off and they walked about fine afterwards.

He won’t miss a toe.

This.

A couple of years ago my cocker spaniel needed to have a toe amputated because of cancer. The biggest challenge post amputation was stopping him from running about and jumping on the sofa while everything healed. He hasn’t missed his toe in the slightest.

I however miss the money that it cost to have the damn thing amputated. Just as well I love him.

Again wont muss it. Friend dobbie had middle two on each front foot taken off after an unfortunate rat piss cut interface.

Had a cat called Carruthers he lost two toes didn’t make any difference to him.

How old is dog? If he is still a young one then best not take him for long tough walks.

Many of these fractures of the small bones of the toe take a long time to heal, with or without pins, plates, casts etc. I’ve not seen one that wasn’t painful during the healing process. The bones are short and the healing process often ends with some interference to the adjacent joints – so arthritis either from the time of healing or later in life. ie months or possibly years of pain or discomfort (no matter how skillful the surgeon who does the repair). Whereas removing the toe is quick, the dog won’t miss it and it’ll be pain free(ish) from about the day of the op.

COWS HAVE CLAWS? 😯

He won’t miss a toe.

+1
One of our dogs got his foot run over and had to have a toe amputated , it never slowed him down .

Good to know he won’t miss it then if we get to that stage.

He won’t miss a toe.

No , but he will only be able to run in circles, like a Spaniel…

Wot, no pic?

Mum and dad’s jack russel had to have her rear leg amputated at 1 yr old. They were devastated as it is their baby, but now she is almost as good as new and still incredibly mobile, they adapt extremely well.

It’s a bit like testicles really. The little tyke won’t miss it and will be better off in the long term.