Fate has been grounded for at least three days. She ran over some glass in the pasture at bullet-train speed and sliced her left rear paw open.
It’s her worst nightmare – being still for a day or more.
Trying to bandage a border collie’s paw is one of the significant challenges of the canine world; it is usually just impossible. The vets insist a cone will stay on, but the border collies I’ve had – Rose, Red, Izzy, Fate – get the cone off before we get a block from the clinic.
They are wizards at removing bandages too, and they hate to be still. Fate has been through a dozen applications already, we’ve found an excellent way to wrap it, and this one has been a record for two days.
We’ve been applying antibiotics and peroxide to the wound and removed a glass slice. She’s been out of the pasture for two days, and the wound is beginning to heal.
(Bud in the sun)
The wound has to close entirely, or she’ll open it when she gets out to the pasture. We have to be strong and unyielding on this.
The vet says to keep trying to keep the bandage; I think we’ve finally got that one working. The wound is beginning to close; one or two more days of quarantine should do it.
She’s not limping anymore. Border collies are notoriously stoic; they will keep going until they drop.
It’s tough on Fate; she loves her runs around the sheep; when we go out without her, she whines and howls piteously. Too bad, I say, keep your bandage on. She cocked her head and listened closely. I think she got it. The bandage has been on all morning.
Fate is scary smart.
Your photo has a painted quality to it. So interesting to me.
Thanks Holly I set the camera for heavy focus up close, it has that affect, which I love with Fate
I have a short hair Border collie and he is crazy with energy LOL he is my savior after my Husband passed away, I wish I had a farm for him to be what he was born to be unfortunately it’s all about making me exercise LOL he’s definitely Mámás boy, I will say this, “border collie collapse” is real and terrifying, my boy nearly drown in the river bc he was attacking the wave’s, luckily my bf’s daughter (studying to be a vet) caught sight of him face down in the water struggling, (It was literally the first and only time I wasn’t paying attention bc I thought he was ok) I cried so hard, I thought I was going to lose my best friend, it’s not in all Border Collies but it is scary when it happens, so I make him take breaks after 20min or so, they will run till they drop no joke.
Surgical glue (Super Glue, basically) might be an option once it has healed enough to protect it.
Yes, it works well, thanks Kim..
It has saved me from finger cracks most winters (working outside with horses over the years) and it was a “go to” for the Vet I worked for years ago as well. I assumed you had it at the ready. 🙂
We did, Kim, but thanks for reminding me, I think I’d forgotten it put it on this morning
I don’t envy you trying to keep Fate quiet and away from her beloved sheep! She’s obviously an obedient dog. and tolerating her quarantine…..but I trust she wants nothing more than to get out there and *get* the sheep! May she heal quickly. I don’t believe this is her first go-round with a paw injury……….. and I’m not surprised…..at the speed she goes!
Susan M