Jade's Foot Injury Update and ?

[proudmom25]

It has been a week and a day now since Jade self-mutilated both of her legs. She has been in a cone all this time and has been handfed around the clock. We kind of fell into a routine of hard plastic cone at night and fleece cone and fleece booties (just recently) during the day . This allowed her to spend some time with her cagemate and be able to chomp on some hay and sticks. And also be able to have some free run and dust bath time. You should see this girl run...you'd never know she had an injury!

The injury itself seems to be healing nicely. The scabs on the front and side are starting to come off. Yay! There is still quite a bit of healing that needs to take place on the bottom of the foot though.

Now for my question. A coupld of days ago, Jade discovered how to launch her leg forward to get at it to chew. Luckily she had a bandage on and I got her right away so she didn't have a chance to get at the foot. I have since made her some fleece booties to cover her feet. On occasion she will still try to chew at them. Obviously she is not able to get at her feet but I am wondering if her chewing can do further damage internally? Or perhaps she is chewing out of sheer annoyance.

I will try and get some pics later.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

Did you ever get x-rays done on her feet/leg - so you know whether something is broken in the leg and that is why she is insisting on chewing her leg. Chins don't normally chew on themselves like that unless their is severe pain

 

[ticklechin]

I agree, she really needs a x-ray.

 

[Claire D]

I agree with the posts above. PLEASE get his chin's leg x-rayed.

There is a reason that she is still chewing & you really need to know what that reason is - as I said on 4th: I think there is more to this than meets the eye.

 

[proudmom25]

No, x-rays were not taken. The vet does not think it is a break. He believes it to be caused by stress/pain. He feels confident in continuing with the treatment as is.

Jade is able to use her foot normally for jumping and running. She does not hold back on it at all. She will raise it when resting to relieve the pressure on the bottom but that is the only time she won't use it.

Besides the foot injury, Jade is doing great. She is full of vitality and energy. She is eating, drinking and chewing as normal.

Did you ever get x-rays done on her feet/leg - so you know whether something is broken in the leg and that is why she is insisting on chewing her leg. Chins don't normally chew on themselves like that unless their is severe pain

 

[Claire D]

I'm going to disagree with your vet. I'm sorry but considering how Jade got the injury she needs an x-ray. I would insist on one.
Lifting the foot is a sign of pain/discomfort & a fracture or infection in the bone etc need to be ruled out.

 

[ETC]

I agree with Claire.....Jade needs an x ray. You may think it is not broken, but chins hide injuries so easily there might be a fracture there that is small , but still allows her to "appear" to have normal movement. I really think this will ease your mind too, just to rule out a break or infection in the bone.

 

[Claire D]

The fact that Jade is constantly trying to chew the wound, the amount of damage she inflicts on herself if she does manage to get to that leg, plus this view of her foot all concern me greatly. She is in pain with that foot.



(from this post)

That view of her foot makes it look crooked where the bump plus the tissue damage are - there could be a bone chip, a fracture, infected bone, or even a foreign body in there.
The problem is you will not know unless an x-ray is taken.

 

[saphire]

Proudmom, I am agree with Claire D and the others.
It think the x-ray is something that really needs to be done to make sure you rule out a break or something. =/
Remember she is a prey animal. So she will use her foot when it is needed. If she had access, she would most likely do the same as Little Jimmy and his Mom to remove the limb that is causing her to be vulnerable to predators. I know this may seem a little far fetch, but I that is how I see it.
Worst comes to worst, you will be sure of what is there or not, which is priceless in the long run.

 

[proudmom25]

Thanks everyone for the advice. You have all made some excellent points.

We do have another vet in town that was away but will be back on Monday. I will call to set up an appt with him and get Jade's foot checked out.

 

[menagerie]

I agree, I'd have xrays done as soon as possible.

 

[InkedupTara]

Sending healing thoughts and I hope the x rays will give you an idea of what is going on there. Poor baby! I have nothing to add, just encouragement! I am glad you have her!!!! I will look for updates!

 

[saphire]

Sincerely hope things are okay though.
I am hoping for you that the breeder is helping with the expenses since the injury occured in their home.
Either way, my thoughts are with you and Jade.

 

[proudmom25]

Quick update...Jade has a vet appt today at 2pm. I will update when we return. Please think happy thoughts for my girl. I am so nervous and scared about what I may found out.

 

[kimbt622]

sending happy thoughts your way! i sincerely hope things go okay, i know you'll take good care of her no matter what

 

[saphire]

happy happy thoughts

 

[InkedupTara]

Oooh is there an update?

 

[proudmom25]

There is...but it has taken some time to process. I was a ball of tears when I got home. So anyways...

The vet looked at her injury and didn't like the looks of it. He says that the injury is not new and as a result of her not using it much, he feels arthritis has set in. It is very stiff and doesn't bend well. He also says that it looks like their is necrotic tissue. Her toes appear black and there is nerve damage as she has no feeling in them at all.

At this point, he gave me some ointment to help soften the skin and let the scabs heal so he can see the extent of the damaged tissue. He did mention the possibility of amputation because of the dead tissue and lack of mobility in the leg. I have to see him within the next week.

Any ideas/suggestions/advice?

 

[Essentia]

I would remove the leg. If she already has arthritis in the joint, and nerve issues in the foot, she may feel the need to chew it for the rest of her life. If it isn't there, she won't have that pain and numbness and won't feel the need to chew it.

 

[Stackie]

I agree with amputation. It will be better for her especially if there is necrotic tissue and arthritis. It is a much better alternative than living with the pain the rest of her life. There are many tripod chins and they get around like they don't even know they only have 3 legs. I have seen pictures of tripods running on wheels, wall surfing, etc.