A torn foot pad does not hold stitches well, so cuts and punctures take longer to heal. Walking on the injured foot often opens up the wound and further delays healing. And if infection sets in, your dog may end up with more than just foot problems.
Use non-stick sterile gauze pads to cushion the bottom of your dog's cut paw pad and to absorb any blood. This should also help to decrease your dog's pain when walking on the foot. In order to help keep the gauze in place, wrap your pup's entire foot in a self-sticking bandage such as Vetwrap or Well & Good.
If your dog's paws have a minor cut or wound, clean it with an antibacterial solution, apply an antibacterial cream, and then wrap with a light bandage. Deeper cuts should be looked at by a veterinarian. These could indicate a bigger issue like a cut to the tendon. Ease into exercise.
Paw pads can take anywhere from 14 to 21 days to heal, but it depends on the wound and the reason for the bleeding. Deeper punctures will take longer to heal than cracked, dry paw pads and may require your dog to take it easy for a few days so as to not put too much pressure on the paw.
Once the veterinarian has evaluated the sprain she will give it one of three grades: Grade I - Only a minor part of the ligament is torn and the joint is still functional; some swelling and pain are evident, but the dog usually is able to walk.
The pads of dog feet have specialized skin that does not heal in the same way as normal skin and that may require veterinary evaluation and treatment for moderate to severe injuries and conditions.
Signs of infection include heat, itching, swelling, discharge and redness. Take your pet to the vet if you are concerned their wound is becoming infected, or if it hasn't healed within a few days. They may need antibiotics or further treatment.
Soaking the paw in an Epsom salt solution is often of benefit, regardless of the cause. Ten minutes in comfortably hot water (in a tub or basin) with Epsom salts dissolved within is typically an excellent short-term solution for swelling.
Can I walk my dog if it has a limp? You should rest your dog for at least two days if you notice a limp. Rest means lead exercise only and short 5 -10 minute walks at a time.
You may find them acting perfectly normal after that time and save yourself a trip to the emergency room. If, however, they are still lame or non-weight bearing after 15 minutes, you should have them be seen by their veterinarian.
Does the limping come and go? With minor limps, dogs still use the leg but just won't put all their weight on it. If your dog seems otherwise comfortable and not in pain, he may not need veterinary care. However, if the limping persists for more than 24 hours, you should call your vet.
Epsom Salt Soak
One of the best treatments to use for a swollen paw with an unknown cause is soaking your dog's foot in water with 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt. You should keep it soaked for 15 minutes.
If the limp doesn't begin to resolve itself, is becoming worse, or is accompanied with whining or yelping, it's time to call your vet or visit your nearest emergency vet. Your veterinarian has the training and knowledge to best determine the cause and severity of your pup's pain.
If your cat has a swollen paw due to trauma, treatment will depend on the type of trauma and the extent of the damage. Small wounds on the paw or leg can be left to heal on their own, but may require antibiotic treatment and/or drainage. For breaks and sprains, the area may need to be supported with a splint or cast.
Early in recovery, do make sure that your dog walks really slowly. This will speed up recovery by allowing them to place each leg safely. This is the case whether your dog is recovering from an injury, or has had an operation on a leg or on the spine. Keeping a slow pace is important during your dog's toilet breaks.
Common medications used in the management of pain related to dog limping include the NSAID family of drugs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) such as carprofen, meloxicam, firocoxib, and deracoxib.
Instead of attempting to self-diagnose your dogs injury, the only way to tell whether a dog has a sprain or a broken leg is to take the dog for a complete visual exam by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can then determine if x-rays are needed.
If your dog shows any of the following symptoms while limping, it's time for an emergency room visit: Dragging one or more limbs on the ground. Sudden inability or unwillingness to move. Extreme lethargy.
Redness can occur with or without swelling, although it is more likely to be found along with swelling. If you notice redness, swelling, or both around one of your dog's joints or anywhere on her leg, she may have a sprain that is contributing to these symptoms.
Soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salts to relieve swelling. Then apply antibiotic ointment, such as Polysporin. For cut or torn foot pads and broken nails, control the bleeding and treat as described in the handouts "First Aid for Torn or Injured Foot Pads in Dogs" and "First Aid for Broken Nails in Dogs".
Once the wound is clean, apply topical antibiotic ointment. After applying the topical treatment, wrap the paw in gauze to keep it covered. You may also need to put a dog bootie or a sock on the infected paw to prevent your pooch from chewing at the gauze.
It is important to cover the paw from the toes up to and including the ankle (tarsus) or wrist (carpus). Covering the toes will prevent them from swelling and covering the ankle or wrist joint will prevent the bandage from slipping off. Make sure the bandage is not too tight.
Signs of an infection in the paws include licking and chewing the paws, redness, swelling, pain, itching, and drainage. Typically, the skin between the toes and other skin folds is affected with itching, redness, and greasy discharge. Sometimes, brown discoloration of the nails.
The best thing you can do for a dog paw injury is to bandage the wound. If you have first aid supplies available, we suggest covering the wound with a gauze pad or a Telfa pad and then wrapping it with an Ace bandage. You also can wrap the wound with a towel. We don't recommend trying to clean the wound yourself.