An ounce of prevention can go a long way in keeping Fido’s feet healthy.
The extreme temperatures of summer and winter can take a toll on dogs’ feet. The hot summer sun and the harsh winter elements frequently contribute to paw pad injuries, leaving dogs in a state of discomfort.Just think about what it would feel like to have the bottoms of your feet burned. It would be rather painful for humans and dogs are no different.
Hot pavement and sand can easily cause blistering of the pads. Severe burns can result in the loss of layers of paw pad. That’s why it is a lot easier to avoid burns and blistering than it is to treat them.
During the heat of summer, it is best to walk the dog in early morning and evening to avoid burning the paw pads. Whenever possible, avoid the heat of the daytime hours when the sun is baking the pavement and sand.
If there is grass around, use it. The dog’s feet will fare better on grass than they will on hot sand, concrete or blacktop.
Prepare for the harsh heat of summer by getting the dog used to walking on pavement during the cooler times of day. This allows for the formation of callus, which makes the skin of the dog’s foot pads thicker and less prone to burns and the blisters that result. It is important that you keep your dog acclimated to walking on pavement so that the skin does not soften.
Dog owners can try moisturizing their dog’s pads on a daily basis. Vaseline will work. Pet supply stores usually carry products designed to moisturize paw pads.
If your dog has to spend a lot of time outdoors in the heat of summer or the icy conditions of winter, you may want to consider buying boots or protective footwear. There are several options available at pet stores.
Unfortunately, owner diligence isn’t always enough to protect Fido’s paw pads. If blisters do occur, you will have to treat them so that serious infection does not set in.
If your dog has a heat-related foot pad injury, gently wash the paw using an antibacterial soap. Rinse thoroughly and pat the foot dry with a clean towel. Pour an antiseptic such as betadine on the burned or blistered area and allow it to air dry. You can use peroxide if you don’t have betadine, but recent research has shown that peroxide can have a drying effect that damages tissue and hinders healing.
Next, apply an antibiotic ointment to the injured area. Wrap the paw and ankle with rolled gauze by using a figure eight pattern that loops the bandage around the paw and ankle to eliminate slippage. You can cover the bandage with a sock or baggie (tape it to the ankle) in an effort to keep the wound clean. Failure to bandage the wounded paw is an open invitation for Fido to lick and bite at the wound. This will only make the situation worse.
Serious burns and blisters can require antibiotics. It is a good idea to at least call the dog’s veterinarian to see of medication is needed to keep an infection from developing.
If you are unable to thoroughly clean the wound, take the dog to the vet right away. Anesthesia may be necessary to remove debris.
If more than one paw is injured, consider letting the veterinarian care for the dog. It may be necessary to get pain medication for the dog.
Related posts:
- Summer Safety Tips
- Is Your Puppy Cool Enough?
- How to Prevent Puppy Diabetes
- How to Tell if Your Dog is Too Hot
- Watch Those Pads!
