Paw pad issue. Licking paw and a mild limp.

[Andybear]

Hello there! I'm new here.
My wonderful dog, Riley, is 4 years old. No health issues other than being on a diet (aka better food, less treats, more walking).

Searching for advice about her paw. She has an issue on her front right paw. The first paw pad issue she has ever had.

She has been licking a lot and has a mild limp but the limp isn't that bad bc we went for a 30 minute walk yesterday & almost every other day this week. The limp and her excessive licking is what made me realize something was going on (then I realized the walk yesterday probably shouldn't have happened). Not 100% sure as to when it happened but I think Thursday afternoon/evening. Then I finally noticed Friday afternoon. Saturday there was less of a limp (which I think is good).

#1 Im hoping to hear good advice. #2 (possibly the biggest reason I came here) is this something I can treat at home with the appropriate items from the store OR does this warrant a vet visit. If treatable at home, I'd LOVE to hear how.
It's worth mentioning that I gave her a bath Saturday.

Thursday she had a play date with my sisters dog so my guess is this happened during that visit OR possibly some object during our almost daily walks?

[Andybear]

And thank you ahead of time for any advice/feedback you may have!

[Macy]

I'm no expert but the limp getting better seems good to me. Have you cleaned the paw or applied any kind of balm? Will your lab let you touch her paws?

[smartrock]

Hi and welcome!

It's hard to know if it's an injury or allergy or what might be causing it. Since the skin is red, I'm guessing something skin related rather than, say, a broken toe. You didn't mention allergies and it sounds like it's only on one foot(?) She's probably licking it because it hurts or itches. I don't know how your weather has been there but if there's been any ice or snow for which the roads were treated with salt or brine, it's possible that irritated that area or she stepped on something playing or walking. If she's licking it a lot, that will keep the area moist which could set it up for an infection on top of whatever else is going on. Do you have a cone or anything you could use to keep her from licking that paw for a day or 2? I'm just thinking you could try putting on the cone, washing the area well with soap and water and drying it, and try to keep her from licking it. Clean and dry that paw when she comes in from outside. See if that helps clear it up at all. Try to inspect the area well between her pads to make sure there's nothing else going on there, pustules, something stuck in her paw, anything like that. If it gets worse, more red rather than less, you start to see drainage, pustules or pus or anything indicating infection, a vet could decide the best course of action. None of us on here are vets or vet techs, so it's just a suggestion from another owner.

Feel free to stick around with us other pet lovers and let us know more about Riley!

[Andybear]

She doesn't necessarily like me messing with her paws but she will let me, especially in a time like this. She looks super pathetic when I do it though 😂 it's quite funny. She lifts up her arm as if she was shaking but instead of her foot being extended its just dangling. Hard to explain the "pathetic"look but it's cute.
Aside from the bath I haven't cleaned it but I will since I'll be checking it daily for the near future.

[Andybear]

No known allergies, no skin issues in the past. I'm in south Carolina but we did have snow a week ago give or take. I don't think any salt would have applied to my little neighborhoods residential streets but who knows. I'm thinking she stepped on something. After the bath yesterday I have her some Benadryl with her post bath treat just to try and keep her from licking it while I could inspect. She's never had any issues other than a broken toe nail so I didn't/do not have any dog related first aid items other than benadryl and styptic powder. I did apply Neosporin after the bath. Whether Neosporin was a good or bad decision, idk but it was night time and I thought it was better than nothing & maybe just having it on her paw would deter her from licking.
No cone but I'll check with my parents and family to see if they have one. Wayy less licking today. Also if I see her try to lick I tell her to stop or "hey, no licking" and she stops for the time being lol

[Marmot]

Brandy had been doing the same thing, and the inside of her pads were beet red like Riley's. Vet recommended that we use pet friendly deicer if we were using any...we weren't. Rinsing her paws of and drying them when she came in from outside and a 10 minute soak in eptsom salts once a day. Brandy's paws are much better.

[POPTOP]

Hello and Welcome!

Pad issues can be complicated. I would stop long walks and discourage zoomies; I know, hard with a lab. In other words, keep her quiet so she doesn't irritate or injure it more. Daily warm water soaks, about 5 minutes and pat dry. Once completely dry, a thin coat of Neosporin, the one with pain control, might help and don't think it would hurt. If no improvement, then a vet visit may be necessary. Our Minx had a red swelling and it was definitely an infection. A course of antibiotics did the trick. They can also get cysts between the toes and that would also need to be evaluated by a vet. Sending good thoughts.