We went back to the vet yesterday (yes I know, every day this week!) to have ANOTHER bandage put on. The one she put on him Monday slid of the very first time he stood up… I swear someone up there is trying to drive me to drink! So we saw Dr Foresythe in the evening and he was really pleased the toe is granulating in very nicely. We are OFICIALLY OUT OF THE WOODS NOW!!!!! We are not due back until Saturday morning and he is planning on foregoing the bandages at that time and he will just wear a sock to keep him from licking it. As far as infection, he is not concerned any longer. WHOOO HOOOO!

Brutus was so sweet yesterday, he kissed the vet when he was finished with him. The vet thinks he is a really “cool dude”!

We saw dr Jenkins this morning and she says his toe is looking great. She was hesitant to even bandage it again… She ulitmately wants Dr Foresythe to take a look at it again on Thursday and we may go with out bandages and only use the sock from here out. I am so excited. I looked at it again today and it looks better than it did even yesterday.

I am still amazed that he was ready to lop it off just a week ago and he has come SOOOO far since then.

**When I was in there today there was another dog that was getting bandages changed (no plastic bag on foot either) that had lost the toe. So I guess I can see where the vet was coming from when he was quick to want to cut it off… no one else seems to care enough to take the time to do what is necessary to help their dogs heal. I talked to the lady and just shook my head.

We made a trip to Walmart and purchased: iodine solution and gauze patches to clean it up again. A drainage pad, gauzed wrap, the human version of vet wrap and an elastic bandage. I cleaned it up good again, put on some triple antibiotic cream and a a drainaged pad. Wrapped it up with the gauze, vet type wrap ane elastic bandage. Then put the sock back over it. - So far so good. The vets’ open at 7am and I will be ringing them as soon as they open. I want to get in there as soon as possible so I can get a proper scrub and bandage applied. This time I am going to insist the vet uses the elasticon.

Because of Bruties size I am not able to find a bootie for him at the store. I had to special order them from petedge. Infact I ordered sets for all of my dogs so that we don’t have problems with the ice again.

We have had a bit of a set back…..

The vet decided he didnt need to put on the elasticon bandage this time… long story short - the entire dressing bandage and sock slid off his foot in one piece in the middle of the night… i found it this morning. I am really upset as it this really increases the chances of infection and cost me $20. I have tried to do everything right for him and then to have this happen is a blow. I have a sock over it now and of course since it is Sunday.. there is NOTHING i can do about it til tomorrow first thing.

I did have a look at it this morning and he is not licking at it and it looks even better than it did yesterday morning.

Brutus went into the vet today for his bandage change and check. The vet is pleased with his continued progress and credits his extrodinary healing to the fact that we have been able to keep the wound dry. He says most people are not able to keep the bandages on or put the bags over the dressings to keep it dry and thus the wound stays nasty for a long time preventing healing. He noted today that the wound is beginning to “granulate” (something about the red fleshy tissue that is starting to form/grow at the nail bed - maybe one of the vet nurses can explain it to me better..) which he says is really good. ??? He said there was very little to almost no dischage in his bandage this time. Which he was also very pleased about. He is still shocked and amazed that he is doing so well.

Brutus came to the vet with his devil horns and bandana today.. he looked soooo cute. I explained to the vet that they were like my children and that in all honesty they were because I have them in leiu of children

He is extending the bandage change out to 3 days now so I go back in on Tuesday for his next check. It is still so gross looking but Brutie is such a trooper and it is not sore at all. His poor bald fingers look so funny.

We just got back from the vet’s office. The vet was very pleased at how well his toe looked today. The anitbiotics are doing their job and he is keeping his bandages and paw very clean. He was most excited that it was not tender at all (the digit). He says he is shocked at how well it looks and did not expect it at all! He says if things continue along this path we are good to go. He says my saints never cease to amaze them (all 3 of the vets)…

All three of the vets were there early this morning and took a look and talked it over with me. It was a much better visit than last time. He was very upbeat and positive and they have restored my faith back in them.

Brutus of course was a champ and did so well.. they didnt even consider muzzleing him this time

We go back again Saturday morning for another bandage change and if he continues to look good, the bandages will stay on for longer stretches. Looks like we have saved the toe… almost out of the woods!