Abraided Toes

[wyndrunhr]

I read all the archived information I could get off this list and really appreciate this resource.

But I was wondering if any of you have had or know of anyone that has had a similar affliction with their dog and what if any treatment helped?

I have a 2 year old dog that is active in Agility and some light herding.

At about 12 months of age I noticed a very light, weight baring lameness after work that lasted only a few minutes to at the very most, a few hours. It has moved from the front toes to the back toes and then back to the opposite front toes over a period of about a year. As long as my dog is just running in the pastures, there is no lameness. It's only with organized work that the lameness shows up and only very mild and lasting a few hours. With extended rest, 6-8 weeks, the symptoms go away, but as soon as light work is resumed, they come back.

My dog has been to 5 vets, two ortho specialist and an acupuncturist and chiropractic. Thus far there is no firm diagnosis. I have spent over $1200 trying to get a dx and dozens of hours doing research to no avail.

Here's what we know it is NOT, confirmed by xray and blood work:

Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dyaplasia, Luxating Patella, Shoulder OCD, Sesamoid fracture, Illiopsoas pull or tear, tick borne auto immune problem, fractured toes, deep digital flexor tendon injury, digital cysts.

There is no licking of any kind, so it's not a foreign body. It is definitely in the P1/P2 joints of the paws.

I've attached two pics.

It is high up near the webbing of the middle toes.

It's best described as abrasions of the joints between the toes at P1/P2. There is no outward problem with the skin. Everything is under the skin and there is no infection.

I'm currently icing the toes three times a day for 15 minutes and giving rimadyl when needed. The icing helps the most.

I'm sick because this dog loves nothing more than to work and I hate to see her in any pain.

I've also tried toe slings and vet wrap between the toes with mixed results. I thought about moleskin but it gets wet and stays wet, so in that tight spot it didn't seem the best option.

Toe surgery is apparently not very successful and since she is fine when just being "a dog," I won't consider that option unless a very good arguement is given for it.

If anyone knows of any dog or their dog that has had this I would so appreciate any and all info on treatment and prognosis.

Sometimes just regular people in similar situations, are the very best resourse! :~)

Thanks for any help or info

,

Bonnie