Jack Russell

[Roscoe6263]

I have a 2 yr old Jack Russell with terrible looking nails.  They are looking rotten and hardly grow.  Lately he has been lickng them constantly.  He has had a couple in recent months that have split on him, and got very painful and eventually we could pull the broke part off.  Now the past few days he has become sedentary, and not acting himself, and his breath has become foul.  What to do.  I cannot afford at this moment to vet him, because I have been out of work on personal injury and my vet bill is already maxed out.  HELP my Roscoe!

[Roscoe6263]

I saw someone else titling theirs the same as mine, but my Roscoe is the Jack Russell, it's about a 10 second video of him trying to say his name for a piece of pretzel.  And thank you for the omega 3 suggestion, I will look innto that.

[Margot49]

Thanks for the update. Appreciate it as we often don't hear back from those asking questions and their experiences can be a learning experience for us all.
Checked YouTube and there are at least 2, if not more, of Roscoes and Debuts.  Can you send a link?  
In addition to the information on the food, I would really start adding Omega 3 daily and see if that helps.
Good luck,  Glad you were able to go to the Vet for that exam.

[Misfits4Me]

I watched the Video....Too Cute!!!!

Glad your appointment went well......

If you ever want to discuss what your feeding, I'd be glad to go over it with you......All Grocery Store & Discount Center dog foods are Worthless!!! Dogs need a Variety of foods just as Humans do....Their food should contain NO Corn, Wheat, Soy, NO Glutens,  NO By-products, NO Chemical Preservatives, NO Dyes....If what you feed has any of these listed on the Ingredients List, THROW IT AWAY!
You are defeating your purpose!!!

I'll help you find a better food if this is the case....Or show you how to choose it yourself....

Plus, I believe Dogs SHOULD eat healthy, people foods.....Variety is the key! Not the same food day in and day out....I don't eat cereal every meal, every day, for the rest of my life & I sure don't expect my dogs to...That doesn't even make sense! Food is food! There is no such thing as people food verses dog food....We all need the same nutrition.....

Well, I think I got carried away on that one...Sorry, but I'm very passionate about Canine Nutrition.....

Glad Roscoes doing better.....The medicatons will help, alot.......Take care, Karla

[Roscoe6263]

Thanks for your caring replies and help with my boy Roscoe.  He went to see his vet today, and thanked me for it.  She is aware that he has had some trouble with nail growth which has been documented on previous visits, but not toomuch of a concern at that time.  She did say there could be a few different reasons for the condition, and without getting involved in an array of baseline testing, which would run a costly bill, etc., she said we would just run a random treatment of atibiotics; we got amoxicillin and temaril.  She wasn't too worried about things, he was in great shape otherwise, no fever.  So, we'll take a step at a time to see if he can grow some nice long nails once again.  We definitely watch his diet, knowing not to give him people food, has pretty consistant feedings with the same couple of brands; I know Jacks are very sensitive little buggers and we take caution to make sure he stays healthy.  He will do anything you ask of him for some hard sourdough pretzels.  You can see him on Youtube under Roscoes debut.  Thanks again.

[Misfits4Me]

Me Again....I've thought of something else:

Alot of Vet's and Veterinary Hospitals take a payment option called "Care Credit"...If your not familiar with it, it's a credit card that is made specifically for human and ANIMAL medical bills.....It works like any credit card, but has a fairly, low interest....It can be used for medical service and you pay the credit card back...I ran across it offered at a Surgery Center for ANimals, once....

Anyway, I believe you can apply online...When you have some time, Check them out at CareCredit.com.....It may be something that can help you out....Wouldn't hurt to try!

Good luck again and talk to you soon....Karla

[Misfits4Me]

Hello Roscoe's dad...I'm glad your going to be able to have him seen.....The nail thing sounds like a nail infection....Could also be a Fungus....Either way, it needs to be treated.....The problem w/nail infections, is that the Bone is very close to the area and can also become infected......These infections are harder to treat and sometimes require weeks of Antibiotics.....However, you must stay on top of this before it has a chance to reach the bone.....

A Fungal Infection can create the nail rot and very itchy like Ahtletic's Foot....Skin peels away as the infection continues.....Your Vet will be able to tell the difference....Or it can be a combinaton of both...

You can use Epsom Salts to get him some relief....Epsom salts are anti bacterial & anti-fungal.....Purchase a bag at any grocery store or discount center...You can mix them up w/water and soak his feet in it.....It will not cure a deep seated infection, but it will provide some relief from the inflammation....

I'm like Margot, I'm not sure if the foul breath is related or not.....Could be that the Infection or Fungus has also entered his mouth from the licking......Make sure you ask your Vet about that being possible.....

I hope it all goes well for you and Roscoe tomorrow....I'm delighted that you are able to take him....Good luck and please come back and let us know what happens.........Karla

[Roscoe6263]

Thank you so much for your quick response to my message.  God loves us, and today came across some unexpected funds.  I called the vet immediately to get Roscoe in first thing tomorrow.  I took him to Pet-Smart today to see if there was anyone there with some knowledge of what is going on, but to no avail.  I looked fr a while this morning online, but couldn't come up with much, there are so many things that it could be, could not narrow it down enough, but I gotmy boy going to see doc in the morning.  I will let you know what the news is.  Again, thank you so much.

[Margot49]

Sorry to hear you're out of work and can understand why a Vet bill would be a burden.  He must be very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this could be any number of things from a bacterial infection to allergies to an immune disease, etc.  He may need antibiotics. I'm a bit concerned about you saying his breath has a foul odor.  That can definitely be a systemic problem. Have you given his mouth, gums and teeth a good inspection to see if there is any infection going on inside his mouth?
You might try giving Omega 3 as a supplement daily.
Sorry can't be of more help but it sounds like he really does need an evaluation by a Vet. Perhaps there is one you can arrange to make payments?