Dexter started limping late this afternoon, he had just started to have a run around with a couple of dogs. I had to put a stop to his fun even though he wanted to carry on. He walked home with no problem but when I could get a good look at his paw, I could see the end of a thorn in his pad, I couldn't get it out and thought it would be a vet trip. Luckily my OH was on his way home and removed it easily whilst Dexter was distracted by seeing him and having his tummy rubbed excitedly. Blooming long hawthorn spike! He's fine now and no more limping, holding his paw up or swelling but will keep him from the field for a day or so to help keep his pad as clean as possible.
Coco sends licks & sympathy - he got a bramble thorn in his pad last week - because OH though it OK to leave the cuttings at the edge of the garden, and then he threw the ball into them! I managed to remove the thorn AND pick up all of the bramble cuttings.
Our garden hazard is dead holly leaves - the cause of many a yowl in the garden (from me!) and convinced too flat bike tyres.
I couldn't budge it but I also couldn't distract him enough, OH managed so easily and Dexter didn't even know he'd removed at first but then seemed to lick his paw in relief.
Willow has once had a thorn in her paw when walking. She immediately squealed and came running up to me on three legs, then held her "ouchy" up for me to see - and make better. She is such a drama queen
I've taught mine to stand still if they get a thorn. Its saved a lot of damage and they hold up the paw and its much easier to remove if its not been walked on much. Rory is just learning it Midge is great at it and waits for to remove it holding up the offending poor looking very sad
just remembering an incident many, many years ago. Our scruffy mongrel Joe was out walking in the wood with my mum. He suddenly started limping and came over to her looking very sorry. She put her finger into the afflicted paw, only to hoik out the dog poo he'd stood in.
Annie has just learnt "Stand still" at her obedience class. I really didn't know what I would use it for, but now I know . Hope Dexter is feeling better.
Dexter did a minor squeal late the afternoon before in a different field, one that actually has hawthorn bushes if that's what they are. He came to me and I checked all his paws, couldn't see anything and he wasn't bothered anymore but carried on as normal. I had another good look at home and so did OH. It wasn't until he was again free running and zooming around yesterday that he started with a limp and holding his paw up, my first thought was that he'd just overdone his mad moment of play. I could tell which leg it was this time and did some checking of paw and leg but was more difficult as he wanted to go back and play. I didn't let him as I knew something wasn't right. No limp on the way home but in better light I could just make out the end of the thorn. It must have hurt him to walk on it, poor boy but he hid it well. Glad we finally found it and got it out cleanly. I wished he'd been more of a drama queen, on this occasion though
Not nice for the dog but lucky for them and us when a limp is from something like a thorn we can see and pull out. I hope it didn't go deeply enough to cause the limp to last. Oban once got porcupine quills on the TOP of his paw. Several of them. He must have bumped into a dead one, I did find a dead one nearby. Porky quills have barbs on them and usually require pliers to get them out. I was lucky to be able to pull them out with just my fingers.
That does sound painful, no porcupines here thank goodness. I was concerned as it was all the way in and when it came out was over 1cm in length. I'm keeping a good eye on him and no further limping at the moment.
