Axel cut one of his pads open somehow this morning at the dog park. Went home and washed it off and applied an antibiotic cream from the vet. Anyone had this happen? How long until I can walk him again?
Ouch , that looks sore ! I believe you can get protective sock/booties to use whilst these pad cuts heal up ? Pads are the devils own to heal properly, due to the fact that you cant really stop dogs from using them , good luck with it, poor love x
Aw poor boy. Snowie damaged the skin between his pads and they hurt when he walked on sand. So before our beach walks I plastered on Vaseline to act as a barrier and it was very effective, stopped the sand getting in and hurting him indicated by the fact that he didn't limp except towards the end of the walk when I guess the Vaseline had worn off. He stopped limping immediately we got inside onto tiled floors. (We were on a beach holiday, beach walk the only option!) If the cut is hurting him, I wonder if Vaseline is an option when you go for walks? (Don't use inside!!) Otherwise vetwrap is amazing bandage, doesn't seem to be affected by water but will get dirty! I see lots of salt water paw baths in Axel's future!
I agree that it's best to get the vet to look at it and give it a flush out if needed. Cut pads and cut feet in general are a challenge... Got to keep them dry, clean and unchewed/unlicked....not that easy. Soft boots (as in very soft and flexible) or a sock taped on can help.
Harley has had numerous cuts to her pads. I take her to the vets each time as pads can be a nightmare to heal. Each time my vet has cleaned the cut, put on manuka honey then vet wrapped it. I then take the bandage off 48 hours later and reapply manuka honey the vet wrap it (I went on a dog 1st aid course - it's actually not straight forward to wrap a paw as you could cause swelling etc). I then leave it foe another 2 days then take the bandaging off and monitor it. Whilst bandages are on I use a soft boot for going on walks, but keep to lead walks for a few days. Once the bandages are off I still use a soft boot until the cut is completely healed.
Thanks for all the info everyone! I did call the vet when it first happened. Basically said go home and clean it and apply the antibiotic cream I had and then to come in if it becomes swollen or oozy or still bleeding. It hasn't bled since we got home from the dog park. Sadly I did have to go to work right after but came home to check on him a couple times. No bleeding or swelling. Been home now for an hour and he's walking around with it unbandaged and no bleeding yet. I asked if we should come and get it bandaged and he said no let it air out. But now reading all these comments I'm wondering why he said no. Sighhhh. He isn't licking it or acting like it's sore at all But no walks or dog park until it's all healed up. I'm going to call another vet tomorrow (I use two) and see what they suggest. Wish I had called them as well but the one I talked to this morning seemed so casual about it I thought I was panicking for no reason
Nothing wrong with seeking a second opinion. Bandaging is a good way to keep cut pads clean but because feet sweat bandages can also prevent the foot from remaining dry (skin that's over exposed to and soaking up moisture won't heal). So keeping the foot uncovered is a perfectly good thing to do as long as he's not licking at it (preventing licking of the wound is the biggest challenge I would say, so if he's leaving it alone that's wonderful). You might find you want to put something temporarily on it for loo trips outside - a baby sock or other small sock taped above a knobbly bit can be a good solution as long as you don't have mud to contend with.
I think getting second opinions is useful. To be honest, though, I don't bother taking Willow (it's always Willow!) to the vet anymore for split pads. She's not had one in a while - famous last words - but she has had loads in her time. I just clean it after every walk, try to keep it dry, and distract her if she licks it.
I checked it yesterday morning and it was looking much better so I didn't end up calling for a second opinion. Checked again this morning and even better. I'm sure the antibiotic cream was a big help. Still really nervous to bring him for a hike or to the lake to swim. Poor Axel, hasn't been for a walk for three days now. Thankfully he's behaving just fine, although, I bought him a new buffalo horn to keep him busy Thanks everyone!
