My dog has a swelling inbetween her toes two vets say two different things... anyone been through this before?

Question

I have a Great Dane who has a red swelling bump between two back toes, and its bothering her to the point where she spends hours l*****g it and im afraid of her bitting it to the point of damaging the paw.

My vet said it was a ripped tendon and to give her benadryl, but it wasnt doing much help so i took her to another vet who said (and i think hes right) that a cheat grass seed was lodged in her skin and is causing an infection... now i think that sounds right and have a subsequent appt to open it up and do something...

but i was wondering if anyone else has delt with this kind of injury before?

Answer 1

Good for you for getting a second opinion!

I would lean towards the grass seed (which is common) being lodged under the skin causing an infection, or what we've also seen, is Interdigital Pyoderma.  I saw a locum vet pass this off once as a infection cause by grass seed.  

You will see in a few day if it's an infection that is progressing or not.

As far a swelling from a torn tendon... never seen that, but I guess there's always a first!

Answer 2

you did the right thing.  we see this alot ( we call them grass awns ).  they come from fescue grasses and are very common.  i have never seen a ripped tendon just cause swelling between the toes.  not to say it couldn't happen but i would go with the grass awn.