Every dog loves to take a walk – it’s one of the best bonding sessions you can do with your canine companion. But walking outdoors also exposes their feet to various elements that can lead to dog pad injury.
My pit bull mix got a nasty slash in his front paw last summer and it took forever to heal.
I tried keeping it clean and bound with gauze, but eventually had to take him to the veterinarian where they actually stapled (ouch!) the wound closed.
It took weeks of trying to keep the wound covered so he wouldn’t lick it. Nothing worked. I tried an Elizabethan Collar, but he had that off faster than Houdini in a dollar store handcuff.
It did heal, eventually, but the event has me watching his paw’s a lot more closely now.
1. Types of dog pad injury
Dog pad injury come in different forms. Here is a list of the common types of dog pad injury:
Abrasion
This happens when a part of the pad is worn out or scraped.
Laceration
This is a tear or cut in the skin. Note that lacerations can be deeper than they appear and may gather foreign objects that can infect the wound. Clean the wound immediately to avoid infection.
Burns
Burns are usually caused by heat like taking your dog for a walk on a very hot day and the pavement is too hot. It can also be caused by chemical reactions.
Nail Problems
Damage in the nails or nail beds can be very painful and may cause serious problems. Ingrown nails, if infected, will require regular cleaning so that the infection will not affect your dog’s systems.
Allergy
An allergic reaction can cause swelling in the paws and itchiness.
Infection
Bacterial and fungal infections can cause redness, itching, and swelling
2. Symptoms of dog pad injury
General symptoms such as the following do not necessarily require immediate veterinary care. But if you are unsure, call the vet for advice.
- Inflamed paws
- Loose flaps on paw pads
- Dog’s refusal walk
If you notice any of the following, you should bring your dog to the veterinarian.
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Foreign objects are found in the pad
- Punctures and lacerations
- Limping that lasts for more than a day
- Presence of pus
- Unable to bear weight on the paw
- Blistered or raw paws
- Cracked nails
- Webbing on toes are damaged
- Nail bed is damaged
- Obsessive chewing and licking of paws for more than a day (this can lead to wounds and cracked paws).
3. Treating dog pad injury
Treatment for dog pad injury varies since it will depend on the type of injury that your dog has and the extent of the damage. But here are a few first aid tips that you can do before you visit the vet:
When you notice the injury, check for signs of debris like glass or foreign objects in the wound and remove them. Most dog owners use tweezers to remove any debris or trapped matter such as small rocks.
If your dog does not let you remove the trapped matter and you are unsure of forcing it out, just do your best to wash the wound and then visit the vet. Wash the injured paw with clean water and antibacterial soap.
- Disinfect the wound – Once the paw is clean and dry, soak a cotton ball with betadine diluted in water to disinfect the wound.
The diluted betadine will not sting that much so you do not have to struggle with your dog upon applying it to the wound because any pain felt will be tolerable. Let the betadine air dry before wrapping it with gauze.
- Once the wound is cleaned, apply pressure on the paw pad with clean and absorbent material. If it is a small cut, the bleeding will stop shortly.
If the cut is too deep and the bleeding can’t be controlled, take your dog to the vet immediately.
- Soothe minor burns by soaking the injured paw in cool water or apply an ice pack. Wrap the ice pack in a thin towel to avoid injuring the skin tissue.
If you suspect a chemical burn, see a veterinarian for appropriate assistance.
Do not take dog pad injury lightly.
Paws are difficult to heal since your dog uses them all the time. Some injuries may need intensive care and proper cleaning.
Your vet will also be able to give you proper and specific instructions on how to treat the injuries as the wounds heal.
4. Preventing chewing and licking for faster healing
The hardest part is keeping the wound dry and clean while it heals. As the wound heals, it can get itchy and your dog will probably want to chew on their paw or lick it for comfort. This will slow down the healing.
To help prevent your dog from excessively licking the area you can:
- Wrap the injured paw in bandage or gauze.
- Your dog’s teeth can easily penetrate the gauze so you should add a sock on top or additional wrap to make sure that your dog will be unable to lick and chew on the wound.
- Spray some bitter apple on the gauze or wrap. This will leave an awful taste which can discourage your dog from chewing and licking.
Note that you should never spray directly on the wound. Most pet stores have this spray. If not, you can ask your vet for suggestions.
- If all things fail, try a cone or an Elizabethan collar.
5. Prevention of dog pad injury
- Trim your dog’s nails regularly.
- Make it a habit to check your dog’s paws for any sign of damage.
- When going out for a walk, check the pavement to ensure it’s not too hot. If you can’t stand to have your bare foot or hand on the asphalt, it’s too hot for your dog.
- The salt used during winter to reduce icing can harm delicate paw pads.
- When the weather is dry, you can prevent the pads from cracking by applying a balm made for dogs.
- Keep an eye out for sharp objects during walks and avoid walking in areas with sharp rocks.
By knowing what dangers to look out for and how to initially treat dog pad injury, you immediately become a step closer to being the best dog owner there is.
Here’s to more safe, fun walks with your canine friends!