Cracks in the front pads!

[Portiepup]

I would appreciate any advice as to a problem that I am having with my 1 year old portugese waterdog. I live in AZ where the streets are blistering hot. My dog has developed cracks in her front pads. I took her to the vet & she gave me an antibiotic spray. I thought it would be advisable to put some type of cream on her feet to soften them, but what it did was create a large & more painful crack. she now is limping because of it.
It is next to impossible to not let these dogs run as they are high energy!
I tried buying a couple of different types of booties. The first one flew off her foot & the second one she just ate thru.


thanks!

[Adrienne]

Yep, you want the pads to be hard, it protects them. Try your hardest to keep the dog on the grass when outside for extended periods of time. Hope someone can come up with a better idea. You should post this in the health concern section so more people take a look at it. This part is for questions about how the forum runs, how to post pics, etc.

[bubbatd]

I would suggest a wading pool ....isn't it too dry there for a water dog ??

[yuckaduck]

I had this problem with Yukon only on the back feet, I bought wax for paws at Pet Smart and put that on when going outside for extended periods and slowely started putting less and less and now he is fine doesn't need it. It is wax meant for dogs feet more for winter use but it worked great for this.

[Summer Magic]

There is a product on the market called Mushers wax that helps protect the dogs feet from harsh ground and moisturizes them as well.

My dog has allergies and we have purchased her a pair of doggie boots to wear when she is outside. They look kind of funny on her, but they do protect her feet from the blistering pavement as well as the lawn chemicals she seems to be sensitive to. We use the wax first then put on the boots. Good luck.

[aurorab]

Also try bag balm or utter balm. It was originally made for cows utters. You can even use it on yourself. I would wait to use it if there are any cracks that might sting from this stuff. Personal experience it stings on cuts. It helps moisturize the pad and protect them at the same time (like a barrier). I use is in the winter mostly, b/c the girls absolutly will not wear bootties. I usually do their feet then do my hands and put on these gloves, it's our beauty time, hehehehe.

[oc_spirit]

To soften the pads enough for the cracks to heal i recommend using bag balm. Works great!

[aurorab]

I just wasn't sure if it stings them if they already have a cut. I know it stings me. Have you tried it when the actually get a cut? Just wondered. Like I said I use it mostly in the winter for protection but I know many people use it and love it.
At the vets if the actually had a vut we used chlorohex but I don't know if you can get that just anywhere. It helps clean and disenfect and heal. I used it once on a cut and it healed better than neosporin.