Blerg- Paw Pad Injury

[amberdyan]

I can't imagine that this hasn't been brought up before, but a search and 20 pages of manual searching didn't pull up anything so I thought I'd ask about it. I also googled it but there's a HUGE amount of information that seems to all contradict itself...

Hugo was running with another dog at the dog park and suddenly stopped and started limping. He came right up to me and let me examine it with no fuss. I can't really see anything but there was a little bit of blood between 2 of his toes. I took him home, swished it in some epsom salt to clean it out, put some neosporin on it and very lightly (not tight at all) wrapped it in some gauze with tape. He's still limping. Is there anything else I should do? Should I take him to the vet or will the vet have me do the same thing I am now? I feel insane with the amount of vet visits he's had in the last month, lol. Not just money-wise, but like... I swear I'm a good dog person! I just have a crazy dog!

 

[stardogs]

Did you check the bottom of the pads and between toes after the soak? If there's no visible injury, I'd be worried about a broken toe or something. If there's an abrasion, usually I just let those heal on their own.

 

[amberdyan]

I couldn't really see an injury (there's quite a bit of hair in there) but there was blood. I didn't even think about broken bones once I saw the blood : (

 

[sassafras]

If the bone was broken badly enough to cause bleeding, he probably would be too painful to let you touch it. Most minor cuts or abrasions will heal on their own without any more intervention than what you're doing.

 

[amberdyan]

Thanks. I'm just going to make sure I keep it clean and try to keep him from running on it. Pissed puppy is pissed that I wrapped it up, but he's leaving it alone. Hope it heals up soon. Thanks again, I really do appreciate all that I learn from this forum. It's been invaluable.

 

[Stingr69]

Look for a splinter or thorn. When mine start to limp during a walk in the grass it is usually a tiny thorn in one of the paw pads. Pull it out quickly and try not to get bit in the process.

 

[amberdyan]

Look for a splinter or thorn. When mine start to limp during a walk in the grass it is usually a tiny thorn in one of the paw pads. Pull it out quickly and try not to get bit in the process.

Thanks for bringing that up. I looked a little bit, but not a lot because I was afraid of hurting him worse. I'm going to load up a kong and get my SO to help and have another look.