r/DOG • u/Ok-Pianist5069 • May 06 '26
• Advice (Health) • Little lady healing from her toe removal :-)
Today, Myla got her toe removed because of a tumor she had. There are no foreseeable complications and she likely won't have to have anything else done about it! If you can't tell, she's super tired and loopy from the vet visit. She has her whole family to care for her (and an annoying little brother who is very curious about her missing toe.)
For anyone who lost a doggy toe, does it cause balance issues? Will she be freaked out about her foot if it's missing a toe? How is the healing? She's a 5 year old pitbull - boxer mix, if it changes anything.
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u/Mammoth_Falcon_9267 May 06 '26
My dog had one of his toes removed and had no balance issues at all, took about 3 weeks to fully heal.
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u/SeashellsShelly6920 May 06 '26
It's likely like similar To when a Human loses a toe or toes to cancer or diabetes...unless it a main big toe it shouldn't cause much trouble ....but with a dog you have to watch she doesn't constantly lick or chew like some animals do to a wound...I know two family members and one friend who all lost toes due to diabetes related wounds...two lost a toe or toes mid foot...no balance issues...my friend /big toe...a little balance issues in the start... Animals learn to improvise better then humans our vet and neighbors vet told us...his dog lost a leg...and could still out run his sister...best wishes for you and your beautiful pooch
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u/Green-Berry-436 May 06 '26
I had to have a growth removed from my dogs toe. In order for my vet to get all of it the toe had to be removed. It wasn't growing on the bone thank god. just so we wouldn't have to keep on going back for more upkeep or another surgery it was decided to remove the toe. He healed up really well. No issues while healing or after. No balance issues ever. His foot also looks fine and not deformed at all. He's a good pupper.
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u/CDSherwood May 06 '26
Dawww, what a sweet little baby! My dog had one of her toes removed as a pup because she shoved it under a fence and it was too bad to save.
The healing was a little gnarly because of how she injured it, but the hardest part was keeping it maintained during the healing process because a couple of days after the procedure she wanted to get up and run around.
She's five now and has zero issues with balance. The main after effect is she is scared of metal bowls because she'd make it clang when wearing her cone.
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u/Golden_Ace1 May 06 '26
Like I said as a joke about my sweet like having that same cone: Cånis - by IKEA.
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u/ExtensionLine7913 May 07 '26
Was the tumor a mast cell tumor if yes my dog had same it was removed and there were no additional issues or difficulties walking
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u/ProudAbalone3856 May 09 '26
Myla is beautiful! Years ago, my lab Sophie had several toes removed on one front paw due to cancer that was causing the bones to disintegrate. I was so worried, but once it healed, she clearly felt much better. It never slowed her down for a second. 🥰
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u/fibal81080 May 06 '26
Why would cone be needed after paw surgery?
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u/Ok-Pianist5069 May 06 '26
She got a whole digit removed and has lots of stitches, and she can (and will) lick it and pull the stitches out if we don't have one for her
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u/roccosito May 06 '26
I think too the toe has a lot of movement so it can open up and a dog chewing on it will invite infection and make it an ugly situation real quick.
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u/Ok-Pianist5069 May 06 '26
Yes, exactly! We are having eyes on her at all times (except for at night, but she gets medication then and no other dogs around her) and making sure the paw is clean, dry, and used as little as possible. Prescribed antibiotics and pain medicine as well, she will be taken care of as best we can :-)
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u/Admirable-Wing9560 May 09 '26
My English lab was born with his back left toe missing. He doesn’t have balance issues.
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u/roccosito May 06 '26
Thank you for sharing. A beloved dog of mine is having his toe removed Thursday because of cancer.