MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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I've noticed that my dog has a couple of small cuts on her feet - on either foot, where the carpal pad (the little nubbin further up the forearm than the dewclaw/ thumb) joins the leg, there's a small cut or crack, that's bleeding. It's on both feet, not major, but enough that it bleeds a little. She doesn't seem to even notice, let alone be worrying at them, but I'm slightly concerned.
Having looked around online, it seems most threads on this are about actual cuts on the pad, rather than what looks like just cracked skin. My first guess is that the dry ground is drying out her skin, and her hairing around just causes it to split slightly. The OH has suggested vaseline on there, but I'm concerned that'll pick up dirt and muck. And she (the dog) doesn't go in for footwear; she's reluctant at best with it.
So, anyone else had this with a dog, and any tips for looking after it? Is it just a case of keeping it clean and letting it heal? Is there even any alternative?!
Vaseline would just get licked off. Keep it clean with salty water or a diluted antiseptic spray
when ours sliced a chuck of hers off, (during winter, lots of salt about) we put on a dressing, followed by plastic bag, then an old sock over the top.
We bought a paw wax, to be honest i dont know how effective it is, but her paws smell nice!
We use mushers secret, and tuff foot, bought online from http://www.snowpawstore.com/ on our lab. he used to get sore / cut up pads if he had been running a lot, but this stuff seems to help a lot.
my dog has slices in his pads, they never seem to bother him and when i showed the vet he said it was pretty common
I use Tufffoot on my pooches pads if they are pink and tender-works on humans too or if they are hard and cracked I use a combination of turps mixed with various oils and waxes called Pad Heal made by Cut Heal in the USA but I sourced from greyhound trainers ooop north think it was Middlesborough or somewhere like that years ago. Both products are brilliant.
Try a google search for the Pad Heal for your dogs current problem.
NB Also try Husky racers websites as both are used by them too.
In my experience, you'll know when it really needs treating as it will bleed like hell, if it doesnt keep it clean, I would go putting plastic bags on it though.
Thanks for the pointers, appreciate it.
Like I said, at the moment she doesn't seem bothered by the cracks at all, so something to keep an eye on, I think; if they worsen then we can take further steps.
doggy booties!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/HDP-Dog-Boots-Blue-Large/dp/B000VZXX7G/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1336595083&sr=1-6
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Tuff Foot for ours too, boots when its rocky or for summer dry trails when out with the bike.