Paw Pads
The pads of the dog’s feet have specialised skin, it’s very different from our own skin, or from the skin on other parts of the canine anatomy. Cuts, scrapes, and broken nails may require specialised treatment and sometimes experienced veterinary care. Although injuries to the paw pads and surrounding area can happen to any dog, some steps can always be taken to help reduce these risks, including using the proper gear for the environment they are in, to even keeping your dog’s paw pads moisturized, and ensuring their nails properly trimmed.
The pads of canine feet have specialised skin that just doesn’t heal in the same way as the dog’s normal skin and this requires veterinary evaluation and treatment for moderate to severe injuries and conditions.
Symptoms of Paw Pad Issues
Paw pad injury may or may not require veterinary care. However, if you are unsure, it is best to call your veterinarian for advice, after all a phone call can be a lot cheaper than an emergency appointment if you didn’t call for that initial advice! This list veterinary advice is required:
If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, a visit to the veterinarian is going to be necessary.
Chewing and licking of the feet also needs to be addressed if it is causing injury to the paw or if it continues for longer than a day or two. Also this behaviour may be actually be due to other serious health issues including food allergies, arthritis, fungal infections or even hormone imbalances.
Causes of Paw Pad Issues and Injuries in Dogs
Infections whether fungal and bacterial can cause symptoms such as itching, swelling and redness that can cause your dog to chew and lick their feet
Excessive chewing and licking can lead to wounds, lick granulomas, and cracking of the feet. Infestation by mites, fleas, or ticks can also cause a similar reaction.
Winter dangers
There are some significant risks to your dog's paws that are unique to colder weather. Frostbite generally occurs at freezing or subfreezing temperatures and this can affect not only the paws but commonly affects the tail, ears, and genitals of dogs. When ice is on the ground, there is also the possibility of ice melt being present; ice melt that is left on the paws can cause burning and cracking and can be toxic to dogs that attempt to lick it off.
Nail trouble
Damage to the nails or nail beds can be a very serious issue for dogs. Ingrown nails can often become infected and will require cleaning and draining to prevent the infection from becoming systemic. The toenails of dogs also have a blood vessel running through them, so breaks that extend higher than this vessel are best attended to by a veterinarian to prevent extensive bleeding or infections. If you are not sure about where to find the dogs quick (blood vessel) when trimming your dogs claws, then you need to seek professional advice, or their experience to trim your dogs claws.
Physical trauma
Cuts, tears, and abrasions can occur at any time, often during routine activities. It’s important to keep an eye out for sharp objects on the ground when walking your dogs and to make sure that you provide the proper protection when running on rough or uneven ground or on pavement. It is not uncommon to find foreign objects and debris in cuts and tears
Diagnosis of Paw Pad Issues and Injuries in Dogs
Many things can be deduced about the status of your pet’s paws with a thorough inspection of the paw and pad on affected feet. Be cautious when inspecting your dog’s paws as he may react unpredictably to the pain.
Paw pads Peeling away of the paw pad is often the most visible injury, in which the thick outer covering is peeled away due running or skidding on hard or rough areas, and the tender inner part becomes exposed. This can happen due to it being worn away or due to burning or blistering that causes the pads to peel.
Dogs can also get cuts and punctures on their paw pads that may sometimes be harder to see. If debris is present in the cut, it should be removed, and pressure applied to stop bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop within five minutes, contact your veterinarian right away.
Nails and nailbed
Dogs that have nails or nail beds that have pus in them or are bleeding profusely should be transported to the veterinarian immediately. Don’t forget to check the dew claw as well for damage. Broken or split nails that extend past the quick can also be a hazard if left untreated as it can cause bleeding from the blood vessels that are located in the nails as well as allowing an entry point to potential bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In between the toes and pads, this is also a good place to spot yeast infections, rashes, and pests such as mites, ticks, and fleas.
Treatment of Paw Pad Issues and Injuries in Dogs
The veterinary treatment for damage to the foot pads and surrounding areas will depend on the type of injury or disorder that is affecting the paw. Burns, cuts, and abrasions will first be cleaned and evaluated. Debris and foreign objects will be removed, and if there are any tags or flaps of skin, these are likely to be removed. If the damage is more than superficial, the area around it may also be debrided to help encourage regrowth of healthy tissues. The paws affected by moderate to severe loss of the foot pad or more profound lacerations will be treated and bandaged.
Treatments that are placed on the foot prior to bandaging could include Acemannan-containing hydrogel, a neomycin-bacitracin-polymixin (Neosporin), or silver sulfadiazine cream. In many cases, a splint will also be placed on the limb to prevent undue pressure on the foot pad. This is particularly important in regard to deep lacerations as pressure on the pad of the food can lead to the reopening of the wound and potentially to infections. If the damage to the foot has an underlying cause, such as pests, infections, foreign objects, or allergies, the root cause will need to be addressed as well.
Ingrown nails will also need to be removed from the area they have grown into, which is most often the side of the paw or the paw pad itself. This is a more common occurrence with the dew claw than with the other nails.
Recovery of Paw Pad Issues and Injuries in Dogs
Ensuring that you trim your dog's nails; including the dew claw, on a regular basis will prevent ingrown toenails, as well as helping to maintain proper alignment of the feet and improving traction.
Check the pads for damage frequently. If you are going to be walking on very hot or freezing surfaces, protect the feet with boots designed specifically for dogs or a paw wax for those dogs who will not wear the boots. Applying moisturizer formulated for canines to the pad of your dog's feet when the weather is dry can help protect and heal from cracked pads, cuts, and hotspots. Avoid letting your dog walk in areas with sharp rocks, broken glass, or run on pavement. Check the temperature of the surface the dog will be walking on to ensure it is neither too hot nor too cold. Continually monitor your dog’s behaviour and gait to address any abnormal behaviour for your pet.
Paw wax such as Mushers secret is a product that is well worth the money, however there are home made recipes that can be used on the dogs pads that will do the same job for a fraction of the price.
Home Made Paw Wax Recipe
Yield 3 – 2 oz. tins
Ingredients:
4 tbsp. calendula infused olive oil*
2 tbsp. shea butter
1 tsp. carnauba wax
2 tbsp. beeswax
¼ tsp. vitamin E
30 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)
15 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
Method:
Make a double boiler using a glass measuring cup and a saucepan. Fill the saucepan with water so it comes halfway up the side of the measuring cup. Place calendula infused olive oil, shea butter, carnauba wax, and beeswax into the measuring cup. Simmer the saucepan over medium heat until all the ingredients are melted. Remove the measuring cup from the saucepan. Stir in vitamin E, rosemary, and lavender essential oils.
Pour into 3 – 2 oz. tins. Allow to cool completely before capping, to prevent condensation from forming on the inside of the lids.
Label the tins and date. This paw wax will last a year without spoilage. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as mold or an off-smell, discard and make a fresh batch.
To Use:
Apply to your dog’s paws before going outside, at least once a day. Be sure to rub it between the toe pads to prevent ice build-up. If the dog has cracked or broken skin, apply twice a day to encourage rapid healing.
The wax dries quickly on the paws.
Allergies and substitutions
Dogs, like humans, can develop allergies to ingredients. If your dog has an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in this recipe, substitute other ingredients for the ones your dog has a reaction to.
Mango butter can be substituted for Shea butter; candelilla wax can be substituted for carnauba wax or beeswax, but with a loss of therapeutic value. Avoid using cocoa butter as a substitution in this recipe.
The pads of the dog’s feet have specialised skin, it’s very different from our own skin, or from the skin on other parts of the canine anatomy. Cuts, scrapes, and broken nails may require specialised treatment and sometimes experienced veterinary care. Although injuries to the paw pads and surrounding area can happen to any dog, some steps can always be taken to help reduce these risks, including using the proper gear for the environment they are in, to even keeping your dog’s paw pads moisturized, and ensuring their nails properly trimmed.
The pads of canine feet have specialised skin that just doesn’t heal in the same way as the dog’s normal skin and this requires veterinary evaluation and treatment for moderate to severe injuries and conditions.
Symptoms of Paw Pad Issues
Paw pad injury may or may not require veterinary care. However, if you are unsure, it is best to call your veterinarian for advice, after all a phone call can be a lot cheaper than an emergency appointment if you didn’t call for that initial advice! This list veterinary advice is required:
- Inflamed
- Raw
- Blistered paws
- Limping
- Loose flaps of skin on paw pads
- Refusal to walk
- Sudden obsessive Iicking or chewing at paws
- Uncharacteristic pulling
If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, a visit to the veterinarian is going to be necessary.
- Bleeding (that cannot be controlled within five minutes)
- Blistering
- Cracked nails
- Damage to webbing between toes
- Damaged nail bed
- Foreign objects in the pad
- Lacerations or punctures
- Limping that lasts longer than a day
- Pus discharge
- Refusal to bear weight on the paw or paws
Chewing and licking of the feet also needs to be addressed if it is causing injury to the paw or if it continues for longer than a day or two. Also this behaviour may be actually be due to other serious health issues including food allergies, arthritis, fungal infections or even hormone imbalances.
- Laceration
- Abrasion
- Burns
- Frostbite
- Allergic reaction
- Infection or infestation
Causes of Paw Pad Issues and Injuries in Dogs
Infections whether fungal and bacterial can cause symptoms such as itching, swelling and redness that can cause your dog to chew and lick their feet
Excessive chewing and licking can lead to wounds, lick granulomas, and cracking of the feet. Infestation by mites, fleas, or ticks can also cause a similar reaction.
Winter dangers
There are some significant risks to your dog's paws that are unique to colder weather. Frostbite generally occurs at freezing or subfreezing temperatures and this can affect not only the paws but commonly affects the tail, ears, and genitals of dogs. When ice is on the ground, there is also the possibility of ice melt being present; ice melt that is left on the paws can cause burning and cracking and can be toxic to dogs that attempt to lick it off.
Nail trouble
Damage to the nails or nail beds can be a very serious issue for dogs. Ingrown nails can often become infected and will require cleaning and draining to prevent the infection from becoming systemic. The toenails of dogs also have a blood vessel running through them, so breaks that extend higher than this vessel are best attended to by a veterinarian to prevent extensive bleeding or infections. If you are not sure about where to find the dogs quick (blood vessel) when trimming your dogs claws, then you need to seek professional advice, or their experience to trim your dogs claws.
Physical trauma
Cuts, tears, and abrasions can occur at any time, often during routine activities. It’s important to keep an eye out for sharp objects on the ground when walking your dogs and to make sure that you provide the proper protection when running on rough or uneven ground or on pavement. It is not uncommon to find foreign objects and debris in cuts and tears
Diagnosis of Paw Pad Issues and Injuries in Dogs
Many things can be deduced about the status of your pet’s paws with a thorough inspection of the paw and pad on affected feet. Be cautious when inspecting your dog’s paws as he may react unpredictably to the pain.
Paw pads Peeling away of the paw pad is often the most visible injury, in which the thick outer covering is peeled away due running or skidding on hard or rough areas, and the tender inner part becomes exposed. This can happen due to it being worn away or due to burning or blistering that causes the pads to peel.
Dogs can also get cuts and punctures on their paw pads that may sometimes be harder to see. If debris is present in the cut, it should be removed, and pressure applied to stop bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop within five minutes, contact your veterinarian right away.
Nails and nailbed
Dogs that have nails or nail beds that have pus in them or are bleeding profusely should be transported to the veterinarian immediately. Don’t forget to check the dew claw as well for damage. Broken or split nails that extend past the quick can also be a hazard if left untreated as it can cause bleeding from the blood vessels that are located in the nails as well as allowing an entry point to potential bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In between the toes and pads, this is also a good place to spot yeast infections, rashes, and pests such as mites, ticks, and fleas.
Treatment of Paw Pad Issues and Injuries in Dogs
The veterinary treatment for damage to the foot pads and surrounding areas will depend on the type of injury or disorder that is affecting the paw. Burns, cuts, and abrasions will first be cleaned and evaluated. Debris and foreign objects will be removed, and if there are any tags or flaps of skin, these are likely to be removed. If the damage is more than superficial, the area around it may also be debrided to help encourage regrowth of healthy tissues. The paws affected by moderate to severe loss of the foot pad or more profound lacerations will be treated and bandaged.
Treatments that are placed on the foot prior to bandaging could include Acemannan-containing hydrogel, a neomycin-bacitracin-polymixin (Neosporin), or silver sulfadiazine cream. In many cases, a splint will also be placed on the limb to prevent undue pressure on the foot pad. This is particularly important in regard to deep lacerations as pressure on the pad of the food can lead to the reopening of the wound and potentially to infections. If the damage to the foot has an underlying cause, such as pests, infections, foreign objects, or allergies, the root cause will need to be addressed as well.
Ingrown nails will also need to be removed from the area they have grown into, which is most often the side of the paw or the paw pad itself. This is a more common occurrence with the dew claw than with the other nails.
Recovery of Paw Pad Issues and Injuries in Dogs
Ensuring that you trim your dog's nails; including the dew claw, on a regular basis will prevent ingrown toenails, as well as helping to maintain proper alignment of the feet and improving traction.
Check the pads for damage frequently. If you are going to be walking on very hot or freezing surfaces, protect the feet with boots designed specifically for dogs or a paw wax for those dogs who will not wear the boots. Applying moisturizer formulated for canines to the pad of your dog's feet when the weather is dry can help protect and heal from cracked pads, cuts, and hotspots. Avoid letting your dog walk in areas with sharp rocks, broken glass, or run on pavement. Check the temperature of the surface the dog will be walking on to ensure it is neither too hot nor too cold. Continually monitor your dog’s behaviour and gait to address any abnormal behaviour for your pet.
Paw wax such as Mushers secret is a product that is well worth the money, however there are home made recipes that can be used on the dogs pads that will do the same job for a fraction of the price.
Home Made Paw Wax Recipe
Yield 3 – 2 oz. tins
Ingredients:
4 tbsp. calendula infused olive oil*
2 tbsp. shea butter
1 tsp. carnauba wax
2 tbsp. beeswax
¼ tsp. vitamin E
30 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)
15 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
Method:
Make a double boiler using a glass measuring cup and a saucepan. Fill the saucepan with water so it comes halfway up the side of the measuring cup. Place calendula infused olive oil, shea butter, carnauba wax, and beeswax into the measuring cup. Simmer the saucepan over medium heat until all the ingredients are melted. Remove the measuring cup from the saucepan. Stir in vitamin E, rosemary, and lavender essential oils.
Pour into 3 – 2 oz. tins. Allow to cool completely before capping, to prevent condensation from forming on the inside of the lids.
Label the tins and date. This paw wax will last a year without spoilage. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as mold or an off-smell, discard and make a fresh batch.
To Use:
Apply to your dog’s paws before going outside, at least once a day. Be sure to rub it between the toe pads to prevent ice build-up. If the dog has cracked or broken skin, apply twice a day to encourage rapid healing.
The wax dries quickly on the paws.
Allergies and substitutions
Dogs, like humans, can develop allergies to ingredients. If your dog has an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in this recipe, substitute other ingredients for the ones your dog has a reaction to.
Mango butter can be substituted for Shea butter; candelilla wax can be substituted for carnauba wax or beeswax, but with a loss of therapeutic value. Avoid using cocoa butter as a substitution in this recipe.
