Paw Pad Concern leaving me very confused

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Riley was playing in the garden and came back in trailing blood on the floor.  Not a lot but blood nontheless.  I finally found a very shallow slice cut on one of his paw pads.  I don't know how it happened at there is no glass but it could have been that he skidded on a stone.  Next question is what to do.  He's not limping, it's stopped bleeding and I've washed it and but some anti-bacterial cream on it... Do I need to bandage the paw put a cone on to prevent him licking it or indeed go to the Vet?  Not sure what to do.  I had planned to take him to the playing pitch later as this is our first night out...  and I need him to be tired before I go.  Is it safe to bring him to a field...   I know this is not a big thing but oh dear I am confused.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

I'm conservative and have always taken my dogs in for cuts.  You don't know what she cut the pad on, it could be rusty, nasty.  I'd rather pay a small bill than wait and have an infection set in and THEN try to get at the infection.  It's probably nothing to worry about, but I wouldn' want dog to start licking at it.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

It is situations such as this that I have chosen the vet that I have and stuck with them ...... any questions I just call and they tell me what I need to do.  If there is something I can do at home, such as what you have already done they tell me.  If I need to come in they tell me that and make room in the appointment book.  Takes a lot of the pressure off of worrying.  My gut tells me on this one that you probably don't need to do any more than you already have.  They probably cut there pads many times when we don't even really know it, but then I'm not an expert, haven't had any paw pad injuries around here.  Good Luck though.  Hope it is nothing and little Riley gets to go on his outing.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Just called the vet as you suggested and he said that for now I don't need to do anything more.  He's not licking or bothered with it and as long as I clean it when we come in from being outside and put the cream I have here it should be ok.  I am just going to keep an eye on it for now.  The vet says there is no problem if I need to bring Riley in tomorrow and there are no extra costs for out of hours service ( which is great to know)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Of course this would happen when you have plans for tonight and wanted to get a good romp in with Riley beforehand! I hope you feel very relieved after talking with your vet and that tonight goes off without a hitch. Looking forward to hearing a great report tomorrow. Have fun on your evening out.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sounds like a plan and a great, caring vet!  Have fun tonight.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When Murph injured his pad I did bring him to the Vet because it really seemed to be bothering him....he's a bit of a "drama king".  She cleaned and medicated it, and then she did bandage it for a couple of days.  If it doesn't seem to be bothering Riley, and you have cleaned it up well, I'd just wait.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

If Riley gets bandaged be sure to ask your vet to give him the same Irish green wrappings with the shamrock cut outs!  Go check out Murphy's photo!

[KAHLUA]

Murphy the "drama king", oh what personalities our babies have.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Ouch, poor Riley!  I really wouldn't worry if he doesn't act like it is bothering him.  A very deep cut, one that wouldn't stop bleeding would be a different matter.  I'd keep it clean, put the anti bacterial cream on it and then just keep an eye out for any infection.  I hope tonight is fabulous for you!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Awww those baby feet.   We have gone through this before and it leaves me bewildered each time, too.

We have now taken away his Frisbees.  They might come out when the snow flies but he paws the ground so hard that he slices his pads.  So hard to keep clean.

Take care, Riley. Hope you enjoyed your first night out.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would just do watchful waiting. If you have some antibiotic cream you could use this and allow it to get absorbed before he licks it much. I wouldn't have him run around on it though today and until it heals a bit.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I hope Riley is ok, hope it doesn't ruin plans!