We had a huge scare!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We went to the Sandy Hook Romp last weekend. Some of the doodles had burrs in their paws but my girls didn't.

This has been a horrific week for our family - my daughter's best friend passed away suddenly Saturday night. I have known this woman for 15 years. I have been so heartbroken. They knew that their DM was not in a good place so they sat along side me most of week just being quiet. When they knew I needed to change gears they made me play ball.  We played ball everyday and they were both fine.

Wednesday I noticed Samantha licking her front right paw. After awhile I stopped her licking but she kept going back to it. This just wasn't like her. She never licks her feet. I looked at it, didn't see or feel anything but it was late and I guess my brain and eyes didn't connect.

Thursday she was back at it. I looked again; she did have a little knot of hair that I clipped off. She was happy after that and didn't bother her paw again. She ran, played ball and wrestled with Charli.

Until later that night - upon real close examination, I noticed a big, black, long 'something' attached to the skin between the paw pads. It didn't look like hair so panic set in - melanoma! It was so big and hard. I was just beside myself. Not ever but certainly not this week.

Went to our vet appointment this morning. Vet takes a look - she isn't sure what it is but she left the room and came back with clippers. Really? she is going to shave off a tumor??? WTH is wrong with this woman? This is supposed to be a top notch accredited vet hospital - which I why I bite the bullet and pay $85 just to walk in the door. 

Whatever it was it came off in 2 swipes of the clipper. Turns out it was a hard mat that looked like a tumor. It stunk! The licking Samantha did was due to both bacterial and fungal infections - it was not the mat that was bothering her. She will be on both oral meds and medicated wipes for her feet for 3 weeks until we go back for more.

The lesson I share with you it to check between the paw pads, keep the hair short and don't panic until you know for sure you need to.

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm glad things turned out okay for Samantha.  I would have been pretty nervous too.  I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter's friend...hugs to you and your daughter.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear about your family's loss. I always try to keep up with paws even when I get behind on coats. Having too much hair between and around the pads can affect the gait, not a good thing. Hope Samantha has an uneventful recovery!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

thanks Jane & F - Samantha really doesn't have much hair between her paw pads. I think it was a combination of sand, hair, licking and mud from all the rain. You can be sure this will never happen again. that is why I wanted to share - no one should ever have to go through the panic I did if I can share our story.

[Camilla and Darwin]

wow, glad it wasn't anything serious. And a good reminder

[Linda Lynch]

A- Glad things are ok with the dood.  So sorry about your friend.  Linda

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Wow - you have surely had a rough time.  I'm so sorry for the loss of your dd's friend - and sorry for your scare.  I'm not one to do my own grooming - I can barely comb my own hair - but I'm thankful that the boys groomer keeps that foot hair nice and short.  Rooney stepped in gum once and started the licking of the foot thing, what a mess that was.  Glad it wasn't something more serious for you! 

[Lynda Kamrath]

I was so worried about Samantha.  Thank goodness it was nothing serious.  I always check my dogs pads, but you never know what can sneak in there.  Oral meds and medicated wipes are very doable.  Love Samantha.

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

So glad she will be o.k. and didn't have a tumor.  Thanks for the reminder, it is so easy to miss something like this.

[Ginny Nightingale]

So sorry to hear the sad news, but glad the pup is OK. Maybe she picked something up at the beach when she romped around--could have stepped on some dead stuff from the surf. 

I have been finding a lot of mats between the toes of my dogs and the others I groom--more than usual. I think it is because of all the wet weather we have been having.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Ginny - I think that it must have been a combination of mud, twigs, gravel, sand and gunk from the beach mixed with the fine hairs between her pads. Whether they like it or not, they will both have naked paw pads - well, real short anyway.

[Lee Seidman]

Glad it is nothing serious, we love our Doodles so much, can not bear the thought of them hurting.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry for Samantha. I am sorry for you.  You are a great doodle mom - it is just too bad none of us is 100% perfect.