How do I take care of my dog's paw?
September 3, 2022 11:16 PM Subscribe
My pup has an owie on her left rear paw. She walks on it just fine, but when she wants to run she refuses to use it and limps on 3 legs instead. Is this a vet thing? Pics inside.
Pics of wound (plus pet tax pic)
It looks pretty surface level to me. No yelps of pain when I touch it or rub/manipulate her foot. She is not licking it or worrying over it in any way. It happened while she was boarded; they said they were soaking it to help it heal? I got the info second hand.
It would be nice to avoid a vet visit. Anything I can do to encourage healing?
Pics of wound (plus pet tax pic)
It looks pretty surface level to me. No yelps of pain when I touch it or rub/manipulate her foot. She is not licking it or worrying over it in any way. It happened while she was boarded; they said they were soaking it to help it heal? I got the info second hand.
It would be nice to avoid a vet visit. Anything I can do to encourage healing?
This is a vet thing. Especially if it’s already been a few days and there are not clear signs of healing. Dog feet are not the cleanest thing in the world - it’s more likely to get worse than just magically resolve. Your pup likely needs some antibiotic ointment and a few days with a cone to get that wound healing.
posted by gnutron at 3:49 AM on September 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by gnutron at 3:49 AM on September 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It would be nice to avoid a vet visit.
You should be able to email these photos to your vet then give them a call and ask if they think you need to come in or advise a home treatment.
posted by phunniemee at 4:49 AM on September 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
You should be able to email these photos to your vet then give them a call and ask if they think you need to come in or advise a home treatment.
posted by phunniemee at 4:49 AM on September 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
She has such a sweet face!
I'd say vet, but not $$$$ emergency vet. It's not red, swollen, or oozing anything nasty, and she can walk on it -- but it could still be infected.
posted by shiny blue object at 5:08 AM on September 4, 2022
I'd say vet, but not $$$$ emergency vet. It's not red, swollen, or oozing anything nasty, and she can walk on it -- but it could still be infected.
posted by shiny blue object at 5:08 AM on September 4, 2022
Do you live near the ocean? My admittedly old school small country town vet often recommended taking dogs for a swim in the ocean for small wounds like this to keep them clean. I'd soak it in a warm betadine water solution paw soak, it doesn't sting and is anti bac and antifungal daily to keep it clean if the ocean isn't near by. If she's not licking it and it's not really bothering her I'd give it some time to heal, maybe take a photo everyday so you can track if it's actually healing or getting worse, sometimes it's hard to tell if you see it regularly.
If you're worried it's OK to go see a vet just for the piece of mind, but this isn't an injury that would have be headed to the vet unless it's not getting better over the next week.
posted by wwax at 12:05 PM on September 5, 2022
If you're worried it's OK to go see a vet just for the piece of mind, but this isn't an injury that would have be headed to the vet unless it's not getting better over the next week.
posted by wwax at 12:05 PM on September 5, 2022
Response by poster: Thanks phunniemee, I didn't realize that was an option. They got back to me and said a little neosporin and a booty if I'm worried but that it looks like it's healing well on its own.
posted by rouftop at 10:50 AM on September 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by rouftop at 10:50 AM on September 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by roolya_boolya at 1:14 AM on September 4, 2022