Another Paw Pad Issue

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Poor Spud.   He is a mess.  This weekend I babysat my neighbor's 5 Dobermans and their Albino foster attacked Spud.  He has wounds on his nose and under the jaw but they are clean and seem superficial.   He also has two spots on his legs that he will not leave alone and are not healing for the past few weeks, also superficial but he is irritated.   He has another ear infection and is on antibiotics--since these are frequent I have antibiotics (drops) at home.  He did not see the vet this time.   Mr. Arrogant even looks dejected or just worn out. 

Late last night he started licking the Carpal Pad on both front paws.  They are not ripped but raw and scarlet red.  He is not limping or having trouble walking as I read with previous posts about ripped paw pads.   He really paws and paws with vigor at this Frisbee--he tries to flip it over.   These pads look more like a burn wound rather than cracks.  Could be from the pawing  but others who have experienced this may notice a similarity in his symptoms.

Older posts suggest:  restrict activity, no topical ointments, do not wrap, and give antibiotics.

So what do you think
Since the Carpal Pad does not really touch the ground, he is not limping,  does a Vet Visit seemed warranted? He also is a little itchy--or has a few sore spots on the legs and I began Epo a few days ago.  Socks are just not going to work with him--I've spent over a year locking up all socks for this boy.  Ingestion of socks is more than likely if placed on his feet.   Environmental factors playing into his symptoms.  : (   No way do I want to go to the vet so they can start the " dreaded food allergy lecture and mounting bills"

Any suggestions OR this too shall pass.   The other posts did not look promising. 

The CARPAL Pad it letter E.    

Yucky feet though--I should have taken his picture and posted.  Must cuter feet on a doodle than these feet but thank you Wikipedia anyway

UPDATE P.S.  They are now cracked  :(

[F, Calla & Luca]

Wouldn't think of it. But you really have a NO Play command and could you teach it to Luca.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

He is learning the No Play command as we speak.

[Taylor & Huff]

Ya the redness and irritation is from the frisbee. Trust me Huff does it too and sometimes his paws start to bleed. We have learned to not let him do it anymore. We put aloe on his paws when this happened. It does help. His paws will get better. :)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

As far as the licking or protecting the paws from more irritation try using some MuttLucks shoes/boots. When Gracie Doodle had her fox tail surgery after a few weeks she would not leave the paw alone. She just kept licking and licking it and it would not heal nor would the fur grow back. I made sure it was dry and then I put the boot on the one paw. Gracie has worn boots before when she was younger because she ran so much on concrete that she wore her back toe nails down to the quick and they were bleeding. Because I introduced her at a young age to the boots she is good about wearing them. I would air out the paw while she was sleeping but otherwise kept the boot on a good week. The licking had become a habit and I broke it with the boot. Also, the healing took place.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Have you considered trying soaks in dilute epsom salts for the irritated paws? Salt water heals most things.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, this was recommended to us when Jack injured his pads, too.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Now that I have--Epsom salts. Good idea. Can I pour some in that ear too? ( just joking )

[BG and Gavin]

I used epsom salt when Gavin sliced open a pad and it worked well. Had to supervise constantly though as it reopened easily. I am sure Spud will be well. Poor guy!

[Susan and Sasha]

Joanne...I'm so sad to hear about all that poor Spud has been going through!
I just wanted to let you know that I will be keeping him and your family in my thoughts and prayers...

[F, Calla & Luca]

One thing this shows is that things like carpal paw pads must have some utility to have become so damaged.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Dear Spud,
We are sorry to hear that you are under the weather. Dood - just quit licking and your mom won't notice if you have anything wrong. With us boys, it is all about the scrapes and scars! Ned and Clancy

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thanks Ned and Clancy. Good advice--stop the licking!!!! That sound is as bad as a slow drip in a water faucet. Drives me insane

Thanks to everyone.