Three days ago Abby charged at another dog in play and when she stopped sat down and held up her right foot.  I walked over to her and noticed directly in front of her right side was a small rock bedded into the path that was sticking up about 2.5 cms out of the soil.   Abby walked a bit with a limp and then seemed normal, so I figured she had just bruised her paw on the rock and thought nothing more of it.

Well, the next day she made a dash for the post coming through my front door and when I saw her she was holding that foot up again and limped for while.  And then she seemed fine for the rest of the day.  Yesterday morning, she dashed after my other dog who was in a frenzy about a squirrel and again she held her paw up and was limping for a while. 

Took her to the vet who said she probably disclocated her toe (phalange) but that it had popped back in - but the toe was very swollen and in pain.  So she's on antibiotics now in case there was an opening that soil somehow got into as well as Rimaydal.  Vet said when a toe gets infected it is very difficult to clear and often has to be amputated.

I'm just wondering how long it will take to heal.   He said to lead walk her, but I've been keeping her either caged or in my small office (with me) at home.  I had her on a short lead this morning and she was spinning around - again excited because my other dog was - and she yelped in pain and limped for a few steps.  I am worried she will dislocate the toe again, of course.

What the vet didn't say was how long it would take to heal and I neglected to ask him. Any ideals?  The usual minimum 7-10 days for a minor muscle injury or longer? 

Ouch I know how she feels I have just dislocated my little finger I am a weeki n now and it is still very painfull and strapped up but I am human and we are wussys compared to dogs !!