It may be more common in humans, but yes dogs can break their toes too! It can happen that you suddenly notice your dog limping after having careened past you at the park. It is possible for them to catch their toe on a rock or log and fracture it, just like us.
Dr. K. Perry says: “Metabone and phalangeal fractures are common in dogs and cats and are most often caused by external trauma, although stress fractures frequently occur in racing Greyhounds.”
Stop Googling - Ask a Real Vet
Content:
Can a Dog Break a Toe
Accidents can happen at home and do. We feel safe and like nothing will go wrong at home which is often not the case. It is highly recommended that you invest in a Petcube Cam if you are away from home for more than a few hours at a time. Accidents can happen suddenly and easily.
One of your dog’s toes can be hooked on the corner of a piece of furniture as he runs past chasing a toy. Jumping off a staircase and landing incorrectly may cause a toe to fracture in your large breed dogs due to the weight and force that is placed on their feet when landing. Small breed dogs like Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Pinschers can break their toe just from someone standing on it. Being such a small dog means that they have much finer bones in their feet than say, a Rottweiler.
Why Is My Dog's Toe Swollen
There are a few reasons why a dog’s toe can swell. Some are:
- Broken bone(s)
- Sprain or strain
- Infections, yeast or bacterial
- Toenail problems
- Foreign object imbedded (such as a thorn)
- Pruritus’ (skin infection)
- Pododermatitis
- Acral lick granuloma
- Cancer
- Sebaceous adenoma
Dog Broken Toe Home Treatment
Home treatment is not recommended when it comes to a broken bone. The best thing to do for your dog is to keep them calm while taking pressure off the injured toe. Limit their movement as much as possible and take them to your nearest veterinary clinic. This is where the Petcube Emergency Fund would be needed. X-rays will need to be taken of any swollen digits to determine if a fracture is present or not. When there are multiple broken bones in a foot surgery can be recommended to correct the breaks with a plate and screws. If surgery is not needed, or if you cannot afford surgery, the vet may need to bandage the foot to stabilise the broken toe, and your beloved pooch would then need frequent check-ups and bandage changes. All of this can add up very fast and be very stressful for both you and your pet.
Dr. S. Woods article states that: “Surgical management is also recommended for unstable fractures of the phalanges or fractures of the head or base, as long as the fragment size is sufficiently large for implant purchase. For fractures of either the metabones or phalanges, surgical treatment is generally recommended for sporting and racing dogs, in order to facilitate a full return to function.”
Another scenario that may occur is amputation of the digit.
Conclusion
If your dog is limping or favouring a foot for more than a few hours with a swollen toe it is highly recommended to take them to your local veterinarian. Even if they have just sprained their toe, it can be painful, and they may need some pain and anti-inflammatory medication.