Post-surgery boots?

416 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by theenn, Nov 7, 2019

theenn

Discussion Starter · Nov 5, 2019

Hi folks,

My 9 year-old Sammy has to get some benign masses removed from his paws because he won't stop licking and irritating them. Long road of alternative methods before opting for surgery, but here we are.

I'm not so much worried about the surgery itself which is routine, as I am the post-op. The masses are on all 4 paws and I know he'll be licking at the bandages. So I want to make sure the sutures stay covered so as not to cause an infection from his licking (and he will).

I got Walkee Paws boots which I've been using as a trial before hand to keep on him. So far these are staying on because they have a nice strap that goes over his back. But he's supposed to be covered up for close to 10 days so I'm not sure how long the boots will stay on.

Does anyone have any recommendations for post-op to paws/feet and how best to keep that area covered for an extended period?

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Knute

· #2 · Nov 6, 2019

I am by no means an expert, but your Vet is the expert, then you are next in knowledge about your Sammy.

Here is the approach I would use. Since the dog is familiar with the boots, use the boots as much as possible. Occasionally, you could remove the boots to give Sammy a break, but you must watch him 100% so he doesn't start working the bandages.

You will likely need to change the bandages and dress the wounds on a daily basis. Undertake this task on an intermittent basis, 1 paw wait an hour, 2nd paw wait an hour....... Yes, have plenty of treats to give. This shouldn't stress the dog as much as doing 4 paws in one sitting.

It was a forward thinking decision to acclimate Sammy to the boots. I suspect these will be very helpful during his recovery.

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theenn

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 6, 2019

Thanks Knute. I'm nervous because I can't watch him 100% of the time because of work and when he sleeps, but the boots seem to be staying on (at least the front pair as I haven't tried the back legs yet) and I'm glad he's getting used to them before-hand. The rubber feet will help prevent getting his feet wet when I walk him too. So hopefully the recovery will go ok. We shall see.

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Knute

· #4 · Nov 6, 2019

You need to begin the boots on the rear legs.

The first couple days, the dog may not want to walk very much.

I recall when I had an injured foot. Walking was not very high on the list of things I wanted to do.

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sydneynicole

· #5 · Nov 6, 2019

An E Cone would probably help as well. I have a dog who sometimes gets yeasty paws and she licks/chews them to the point she starts limping. While we are getting the infection under control and letting the paw heal, she wears boots, and when we are not able to watch her, she wears boots and the cone. Yeah, the cone makes them miserable and it's a nuissance, but it works pretty well. I keep it on her as little as possible, but in the end it's for her own good if it will keep her from chewing her paws.

Another thing you could potentially try is getting a tube sock and putting it over the boot, and wrap it with ace bandage onto the leg. Then at least if he gets that off, the boot is still under it.

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theenn

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 7, 2019

I've tried several iterations of the tube sock with a wrap in the past, but he always manages to push it down. He's always had allergies and loves to lick his feet a lot even before these masses appeared, so he's pretty tenacious about it.

The front boots are still working. I'll have to try the back legs since the product comes with both. And the vet did say he may need the Cone of Shame for a little while. I hate having him be uncomfortable, but if it keeps him away from the sutures, then that's what we need to do.

Thanks for the input!

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