Limping, Paw Pad Appears Cracked

[Woody]

Ovie went out last night in the backyard fine and came back in limping. The paw pad has a few cracks in it, is very dry, a little redish compared to the others. There is no vet available today. We will follow up on Monday.

I have applied some polysporin and we have cleaning it with some doggy wipes. I also added a bit of coconut oil to try and soften it up.


Thoughts or similiar experiences?

[amyb]

thorn?

[Woody]

That's what I initially thought that somebody was stuck in there but I couldn't find anything. This morning I did clear some pebble or little stone like pieces from between his digits and skin. That could be it as he is back to putting the leg back on the ground and isn't favouring quite as bad. I am sticking with the poly and coconut oil as well and it seems to be working.

[Berna]

Yes, it could be the pebbles that were making him uncomfortable. I hope that was it and he won't be bothered anymore. Unfortunately, I have plenty of experience with torn paw pads with Cookie, but these cuts are visible and they bleed a lot.

[amyb]

We have had a few thorn issues with our dog.

[Black Labbies]

I am sticking with the poly and coconut oil as well and it seems to be working.

Yes, yes!

With our dry, cold winters, our girls pads also dry and crack. We daily apply Vaseline extra dry skin hand lotion on their paws. Have used coconut oil in the past, but it's oily and leaves grease pawprints everywhere. Ursa especially will limp, but is much better after applying the hand lotion.

Good luck with Ovie's paw!