Treating the paw right

Healthy foot pads are crucial so injuries need prompt attention. If your dog limps, or licks at her pads, take heed. She may have a foot pad that is torn, punctured, or burned.

A torn foot pad doesn’t hold stitches well so cuts and punctures take longer to heal. Walking on the injured foot often opens up the wound and further delays healing. And if infection sets in, the dog may end up with more than just foot problems. Since even minor foot pad injuries can be stubborn, it’s a good idea to provide first aid at home and then see your veterinarian.

Clean the wound. Look for debris or foreign objects such as glass or metal shards that may be lodged in the pad. If the foreign object is located where you can easily grasp it with tweezers, gently remove it. Swishing the paw in cool water or spraying the paw with a hose may help dislodge tiny particles. If the debris is lodged deeply, leave it alone. Digging too deep will only worsen the injury and cause pain. Deep–seated foreign bodies need to be extracted by your veterinarian who can sedate your dog to make the procedure more comfortable. Use mild anti–bacterial soap or betadine to disinfect the wound.

To control bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel. Minor tears will stop bleeding in a matter of minutes, but deeper wounds take longer to stabilize. Also, bleeding may reoccur when the dog walks on the leg. If you cannot stop the bleeding within 10–15 minutes, this is an emergency – take your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic.

Contain the wound by applying a bandage. Use gauze pads to cushion the bottom of the foot and absorb blood. The gauze padding will also decrease the pain of walking on the foot. To keep gauze in place, wrap the entire foot in a self–sticking product such as micropore. It is important to cover the paw from the toes up to and including the ankle (tarsus) or wrist (carpus). Covering the toes will prevent them from swelling, and covering the ankle or wrist joint will prevent the bandage from slipping off. Make sure the bandage is not too tight. You should be able to insert 2 fingers between the bandage and the leg.

Change the bandage daily. If your dog chews at the bandage, spray it with an anti–lick product such as bitter apple. Keep the bandage dry by taping a plastic bag over it when she walks on wet grass. Pay close attention during bandage changes. If the toes become swollen or dusky or if you note a foul odour or moist discharge, consult your veterinarian. These signs may indicate compromised circulation or infection that can result in permanent damage to the foot. If the wound continues to bleed or gapes open after 3 days, it’s time for a follow–up visit to your veterinarian who can provide high–powered antibiotics and pain medication that will promote faster healing.

In addition to cuts and punctures, dogs often injure their pads when exposed to extreme temperatures or chemicals. Even though foot pads are tough, they can burn on a scorching sidewalk in the middle of the summer or on icy surfaces during the winter. If your dog licks at her feet or limps after a summertime or wintertime stroll, sooth her pads by soaking the foot in room temperature water. If the pads become discoloured or if the tissue under the pad becomes exposed, contact your veterinarian. Severe burns need to be treated professionally. Burns can also be caused by chemicals. If your dog steps into a caustic substance, hold the foot under running water for several minutes. Then wash the paw in mild soap and rinse thoroughly. Make sure you wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.  What burns your dog may burn you, too.

Apply antibiotic ointment to the burned foot pad and bandage the paw. Daily bandage changes and close monitoring of the injury are important. Report any changes to your veterinarian.