Dog has a bad paw

Bonsai

The other day my dog went for a walk, and came back with a sore on his foot, like he had stubbed it on something, or something had bitten him. Bailey licked it a little - but more or less left it alone.

It was healing nicely, when my other dog in her excitement trod on his bad foot, and damaged it with her claw. It started to hurt him a little more, but he wasnt overly bothered by it. But we noticed it was slightly swollen. He was still putting weight on it though.

But last night, my husband accidentally trod on his paw (typically it was the bad one) and it made it bleed. It opened up the wound caused by my other dog treading on it. It bled, and we bathed it in salt water.

Now my husband and i are having a debate. Because Bailey doesnt seem overly bothered by his foot he thinks we should still be walking him. Now we walk him over fields and let him run (he is impossible on a lead) and i think he should stay home until his foot starts to get better. After all, a swollen foot in my mind means pain. Basically, the grass has been cut on the fields, and has turned into straw from the heat. I cant even imagine how painful that would be for Bailey if he got some of that in his paw !!

So, what do you think. We are keeping our eye on it - and if the swelling doesn't go down, we will take him to the vets. But, should he keep off it as much as possible ? Should we keep him home and keep batheing it with salt water .... or should we throw caution to the wind and walk him ?

GerbilPunk

dont walk him because he might be in pain, but if he isn't well... it was better not taking the risk... Rolling Eyes

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PIRATE.♥

Josh

Dont let him put any pressure on it make sure he leave it alone other wise it could cause alot of pain for him .

tigger2503

I would keep him home until the swelling has gone down and it seems to be healing the last thing you want is a bit of grass getting in the cut or something else which could cuase an infection

littlelab

If it were me, firstly I'd look out for signs of infection such as heat in the foot, smelly discharge, pain on walking etc.

Bathe any open wound with a saline solution (salt water), as far a walks are concerned, I would try if you can to keep the wound clean, you can put a bag around the foot or something similar, don't allow your dog into any ponds, puddels etc where he may pick up an infection.
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Natalie and Co xxx

coliel

hi
i dont know wether its to late now but can i sugest you put some vetenary powder on it its an antybacterial powder you can buy from a good petshop also buy a sock for the dog as this is like a bandage and can be made as tite normaly with velcro as needed and pop this on him - this will give it the chance to heal,
although a dogs saliva is fantastic at keeping cuts clean and well so it may be just as well to leave it open when not out side.
love coliel

Bonsai

Thanks for your replies.

We ended up taking him to the vets on Saturday as the wound (although being bathed in salt water) was weeping and nasty. It turned out to be a suspected grass seed, and it was one year to the day since he last had one (it this to be a yearly expense / problem ???).

He had the wound lanced, and a special dressing put on which should draw the grass seed out. He is going back at 3:50 today to have the bandage removed, and see whats happening. He is also on antibiotics. Fingers crossed it will be looking better - as, if it still looks gooey he will need to be knocked out, and a further investigation will take place.

Bless im.