thorn in foot

[smoker]

Dog has a thorn in the ball of his foot its too deep for me to get it out was wondering if there is anything I can put on the foot that will draw it out?

[Chuck Terry]

Do you mean the thorn is "deep" as in LONG or it is completely below the surface? If there is enough sticking out to grab with a good set of forceps or locking pliers, I would lock and yank! If is completely below the surface, it will likely fester up and not heal as the body will recognize it as a foreign object. It has to come out eventually and the sooner the better in my mind. The longer it stays, the more chance there will be of complications! I stepped on a "prickley pear" in my grandfather's pasture when I was about 5 or 6. After nearly 40 years, I still remember him laying me down on the truck seat and the going in the glovebox for his old pliers. I was furious with him for telling me that if I turned my head it would not hurt - boy was that a lie! However, he did the right thing and I forgave him once it stopped hurting (which was not long once the thorns were out). Old folks are wise that way! Good luck!

[Windkist]

This is a tough one without involving the vet. You can soak it in epsom salt a couple of times a day and hope it festers and pushes its way out. The dog may very well just lick it enough to get it out. If it does become infected and you know its out then definately start him on amoxi for 7 days.

Best of luck,

Leah

[mjd]

put a piece of duct tape on it

[TC]

Use a poltice Made of Chewin tabacco and lard Just wrap it up real good tape it down and will find the thorn in the poltice usually the next day...

[tiffinis]

Peroxide will also help bring it to the surface. If you can see it but cant grasp it, make sure the foot is good and dry, smear a coating of elmers glue on it (not so thick it takes hours to dry) and hold them till it is dry, then peel it like you are peeling off a layer of your skin, alot of times it will come right out with the glue if the glue is dry. This is easier done with a tired dog that is willing to just rest while it dries.

[ringtail]

use boil ease it will draw it out,,,,i had a male about 4 years ago , he was pounding a rabbit and got one of those thorns that are on trees in his side, i tried to pull it out and it broke off, the next morning it was swelled up the size of a baseball, i took him to the vet and infection set in so the surgicly removed it,,,,, he had a 9 inch scar on his side where they had to cut him open to remove the infection,,,,,,,

so on my thought id seek a vet soon, if not the thorn could cause serious problems even amputation if the bad infection sets in,,,,,,