Paw Pad Injuries in Dogs
The pads on the feet of dogs have very special skin. With this being said, specific cuts and scrapes may yield veterinary assistance. This is because dog paws do not heal the same way as normal skin. Some general signs of a paw pad injury include the following:
- Limping
- Loose flaps of skin on paw pads
- Refusal to walk
- Sudden obsessive licking or chewing at paws
You may also need to watch out for noticeable signs such as:
- Blistering
- Cracked nails
- Damage to the webbing between toes
- Foreign objects in the paw pad
- Punctures
- Pus discharge
- Bleeding
You may be wondering about the causes of paw pad issues and injuries in dogs. Fungal and bacterial infections may cause itching, swelling, and redness to the paw pad. Depending on where you live, frostbite can occur at freezing or subfreezing temperatures, negatively impacting the paw pads. Damage to the nails or nail beds can also be a severe issue. Furthermore, cuts, tears, and abrasions can occur, especially during routine activities.
The veterinary treatment for damage will depend on the injury or disorder affecting the paw. It is important for burns, abrasions, and cuts to be cleaned and evaluated. The paws affected by extreme loss of the footpad or more profound lacerations will be treated and bandaged in severe cases. Paw pads play a crucial role in many things that our four-legged friends do daily. It is important to pay close attention to them and be proactive when identifying an injury and getting it taken care of.
