Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Down & Out


This is not what I had in mind to post for today but sometimes life throws ya for a loop.  Yesterday afternoon, Mom took me for a walk with my pal, Ozzie.  We went to one of our normal places and I was running and having fun like I always do.  Well, right before we got in the car Mom noticed my back left nail was bleeding.  At first, she didn't think much of it as my paws/nails have been sensitive in the crunchy snow as of late anyway even though there was no snow where we walked.  However, upon closer investigation she noticed that I split my nail completely apart somehow and it was bleeding pretty good. :( 

So, she took me to the vet for them to have a look which I was NOT happy about!!  As soon as I realized where we were I tried to turn and run but Mom wouldn't let me...how rude!  Once trapped inside, I tried to hide under the chair which the vet thought was too small for me but I assured him we Ridgebacks can curl up into tight little balls, and space was NOT an issue.  It's not that I don't like the vet...it's just that one time I went to a different vet and he wasn't so good.  He didn't even greet me when he first met me and instead immediately started poking my belly which freaked me out.  At least, that's what Mom attributes to my fear of the vet now, because before that I was fine.  I still give kisses to my vet and the vet tech but I just don't like being there. Anyway, where was I...oh yes, trapped inside.  The vet had to sedate me, which basically means give me some medicine to make me very sleepy and then he had to remove the top part of my split nail.  At least, I was sleeping so I didn't realize what was happening.



Once it was over, they wrapped my foot in a pink little bandage and brought me to Mom.  I was VERY stumbly and shaky.  I could barely stand up and my eyes were droopy.  Mom helped me get into the car and she managed to get me to lay down in the back seat.  Once at home, I had to miss dinner (RUDE) in favor of sleeping it off on the couch.



Don't worry though, once I was a bit more cognizant I got my dinner and some of my special Honest Kitchen warm broth. :)


I have to keep my bandage on for three days and I can't get it wet.  That means, every time I go out to potty or if Mom or Dad decide to take me for a walk I have to get a plastic bag tied around my foot....YUCK!  It feels SO weird. I also have to take an anti-inflammatory medicine and an antibiotic.  Mom thinks I don't know she's hiding the pills in cheese and bananas but I do....hehehe!  As long as I get the good stuff then that's cool with me. ;)  Also, once I get my bandage off then I have to take it easy until my nail grows back...each doggie is different so I have NO idea how long that will take. :(  BOOHOO...that means no more playdates for awhile and it also means that for walks I have to put a sock on my foot or a bootie to keep it protected.  Oh well, I plan to milk this time for all it's worth!!

26 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Oh no!

That WAS a nasty way to spend a day -

I'm sure your broFUR khan give woo some ideas about playing it up fur sympathy!

I'm sure your staff will do what they khan to keep woo khomfy!

Paws khrossed your heal sooner!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Ruby and Penny said...

Oh no Nala. We hope your paw doesn't hurt too much. We do like the pink bandage, it is pretty.
Heal quick.
Love Ruby & Penny

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

Saige and Guinness both did this at exactly the same time--split their pads right in half! same foot and everything! does she have a low dose of antibiotics for 7 days or so? or did the vet feel it was nice and clean and just sanitized it... he probably told you it wasn't worth stitching, sometimes that makes it more of a mess. he is right. it will heal up just perfect left alone.

brooke said...

Oh no! Darwin's brother Boo just did that at their last play date last week! I think it was the same foot too! Though, he didn't split his, he managed to twist the whole nail to the side. He went in and got the nail removed and is now sporting a wrapped foot as well! It must be broken toenail season!
Hope you get better quick! Remi mentioned you may be coming over to Seattle next weekend? Is that still happening?! It would be great to be able to meet up with you two!

Anonymous said...

I bet that paw is hurtin a lot, but that pink bandage is super cute!! :)

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Oh, ouchie, Nala. Sorry you had to go through all of that. You are good to take your meds. Phantom won't take his in anything, no matter what Mom tries to hide it in. We hope you feel better soon.

Woos, Phantom and Thunder

The Army of Four said...

Oh, no! I'm so sorry to hear you got hurt! That sounds very sore! :( At least your bandage is a pretty pink color. That's small consolation.
I think you should get cheese and bananas without the pills, too, so you don't know if they're really in there. :)
Love,
Amber

BRUTUS said...

After seeing all those snow pictures yesterday I almost commented on your paws, remembering what happened not long ago! Did they cut back all your nails while you were sleeping? Sounds like you really could used some paws (at least one of them) now!! Hope the footie heals fast, no fun being cooped up!!

Snorts-
Brutus the Frenchie

Remi said...

Oh sis! I hope you are feeling better. We might have to reschedule our play session. Drats. Oh well, it's best that you're 100% so you can play 110%!!

Lorenza said...

Hi, Nala!
I hope you get better soon!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Ms. ~K said...

Oh Nala, we were in pain just reading about your nail injury!
Sending lots of healing energy to you!
Licks and sniffs,
Zack, Sassy and Buddy

kissa-bull said...

we hope your ouchy feels better real soon.
and woohoo for the pain meds
thats the only good part about the vet
teehee
pibble sugars
the houston pittie pack

Life With Dogs said...

Milk it is right, that's the only way to play it! Feel better soon! :)

Beaudor et Baron said...

OOoh I'm very sad for you,our vet is called Dr.Jaap and is always so kind he comes amd sit on the floor with me and gives me biscuits.
In November tere was a dog who bite my ear,and I had a operation but they were so kind,when I had to go back 10days later for the stitches I pulled Marja in.....
Get well soon,Beaudor

Molly the Airedale said...

We hope your tootsie feels better soon, Nala! At least your vet gave you a pink bandage!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

D.K. Wall said...

So sorry about the feety-feet problem. Those are no fun. We really like going to our vet, though. She always sits on the floor and talks to us before asking to check us out.

The Oceanside Animals said...

hello nala its dennis the vizsla dog hay sorry abowt yore fut but at leest yoo git lots of treets rapd arownd yore pillz rite??? hope yoo feel better soon!!! ok bye

Esther Garvi said...

Oh, poor Nala! That really calls for a huge BOOHOO!!!!

Unknown said...

Oh Nala!! I've only just finally got the chance to come and visit you and I was horrified when I read this post! Poor you! That sounds so horrible! I can't imagine how yucky you must be feeling.

I hope your nail heals up quickly and grows back...ouch! I once tore a nail (although not as badly as you) and I got blood everywhere on the living room carpet - Hsin-Yi nearly went mad! :-)

Hey - I must say, though, I do like your PINK bandage! :-)

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Achieve1dream said...

Poor Nala! I can sympathize as I recently broke a nail also. I hope it grows back really fast.

Jackal

Kasha said...

Holy cow! Poor Nala! That is kind of crazy because Africa's Rhodesian friend ripped out his toenail the other day and it took FOREVER to heal. Get well soon Nala.

Sagira said...

Ouchies! I hope you feel better soon. But at least you got a pretty pink wrap.

Lina, Alih and James said...

Poor you, Nala! We hope you feel better.

Stinkin' kisses from Sweden - Alih & James

JD and Max said...

Hi Nala - oh, you poor thing. We wish we could come over and give you a bit of schnauzer snuggle medication - we've been told it's very effective! We hope it grows back soon. Big schnauzer snuggles - JD and Max.

Dexter said...

Hey! Just like stupid PeeWee broke his nail. I see they put a pretty pink bandage on your bootie. But you should be all better by now, right?

Slobbers,
Mango

Sames Blogs said...

BARK! Sorry to hear about your nail Nala. Im sure you are like me, and it didnt bother you a bit, but really freaked your mommy out. Now I feel better that I am not the only one who has to wear the sockie with the ribbon. Mommy says to try the "PAWS" over your bandaid, it really works GOOD. We are still on the first one, and even with dragging my toes, no tears. And they stretch, so it can fit right over your boo boo.
BARK! Sasha the Princess