8.13.2012

August 13, 2012

White Dog came back in from her post dinner trip out to the yard. "What happened here? Looks like the scene from one of those over-the-top horror movies Michael sometimes watches!"

The rest of the White Dog Army was already gathered around Steve whose hands were bloody but not as much as the cloth he held pressed around Nuka's back foot. Another White Dog was held tightly in my arms and she rested her head on my shoulder whimpering softly. My t-shirt was spattered in blood and had solid soakings in several places. Not exactly our normal after dinner fun.

When Nuka came into the kitchen for dinner she was walking timidly and back-kicking her rear left leg. She is constantly getting little bits of rock or weed seeds stuck deeply between her toes and needs help getting them out to relieve the pressure and pain.

That is what started the "train wreck," as Puff called it. I held Nuka and Steve teased out a burr from her toe space. When he checked to make sure he had gotten it all he noticed another bit, deeper and as he dug to extract it, AWD kicked out. He got the fragment out but noticed that her nails were getting long. "As long as you are holding her and she is behaving so well..." he started.

We have a nice pair of nail clippers for the pups that has a safety guard and a quick trigger. He reached into the grooming kit and grabbed them out. Nuka was nonplussed for the front feet and for the back left. Then we turned her around and let her once again settle against my chest to do the right rear. The first toe went smoothly but when Steve clicked to clip the second AWD started and we caught her quick.

Blood was dripping everywhere and she was struggling to get down. It is amazing how much one little toenail cut can bleed. It was a frightening amount and it wouldn't stop. We tried the cornstarch trick but the blood soon turned her paw into a pinkish mash and still fresh blood dripped through. We wiped that off and applied antibiotic cream and wrapped the foot in a cloth while applying pressure. While we waited the White Ones pressed close to sniff the foot and to make us feel like very incompetent parents. Nuka just leaned against my cheek panting with little moans mixed in.

After a time the bleeding stopped and we set our girl back down on the floor. She wobbled for a step or two then looked expectantly at the treat jar. When her siblings wanted a closer look, she yipped them away thinking she would have to share her reward for damages done. Jerky heals all, apparently.

13 comments:

Teddy Bear said...

Owie, Nuka. We hope you're not in too much pain. Yes, jerky heals all.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear & Sierra

Berts Blog said...

Oh my, that sounds scary and messy all at the same time. White and red is pretty on a flag, but a bit un nerving on a beautiful pup.

Walk carefully for a while...
Love
Bert

GOOSE said...

I have heard that somewhere, Jerky Heal All. I am sure it is true. Be careful with the paw. If ya limp once in a while I ame sure the jerky will come out to make you feel better.
Blessings,
Goose

Suka said...

hey WDA,

Ouch Nuka! I am so furry sorry! I think your trauma deserves at a MINIMUM half a bag of duck jerky!! It is a bit freaky how much blood comes out, glad your mom and dad finally got it to stop. And glad you are now feeling and doing much better. Enjoy ALL the treats that are well deserved! ;->

Suka

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Yikes, that must have been so frightening! Those darn nails do make a lot of blood. Glad you were able to get things under control and put that jerky to good use.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Random Felines said...

Poor Nuka - yep, sometimes the best intentions miss. :) Tell your mom and dad that the treats were well deserved (and they can buy something call stiptic powder at the pet store that stops the bleeding asap....we have to keep some on hand for squirmy kittens)

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

OUCH! That happens at my house too sometimes. But we never had quite that much blood. We got one of those sprays that is supposed to stop bleeding immediately for a cut toenail, but haven't had to use it yet. Probably just having it in the medicine cabinet is insurance.

rottrover said...

Nuka, I feel your pain! This morning I got a cholla sticker in my paw and as mom was pulling it out with the plyers, she pulled my foot furs instead! Sheesh!! That was the end of that, I'll tell you!!

-Ruby

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Oh poor sweety. I can just immagine the fright you all got. I am glad you got it under control and that the jerky helped to make it all better.. Hugs GJ xx

Brian's Home Blog said...

Oh sweet Nuka, sorry you had the hurt but at least all is well with jerky!

Kari in Alaska said...

toenail bleeds are the worst!

Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Sally Ann and Andy said...

Poor Nuka,
That sounds bad! Duck Jerky is a heal all.
Andy and Sally Ann

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Oh I know it hurt so bad, but jerkey makes things all better.
Here are some kissys for your owie
love
tweedles