Limping doodle/pad problems

[Jen & Ember]

Well, poor Ember has an injured paw. About a week ago I noticed she was limping (front left paw). Not super bad and she wasn't whining. She had what looked like a puncture in the bottom of her pad. Almost a month ago she had a crack in her pad that didn't seem to cause her any discomfort, no limping at all. Maybe it was the depth of the current owie. Anyway, off to the vet she went and they did lots of range of motion testing to see if it could be something other than the hole in her pad, but it seemed that that was the cause of the pain. The vet gave us a pain med and an antibiotic because she was worried about infection, especially since Ember goes to doggie daycare. (Of course the meds have upset her stomach, so now we've got that going for us). The limp is better but still not gone. The hole in her pad seems to be almost healed when I look at it. I try to encourage her to rest... but she's 10 months old and very active, so that hasn't worked too well. 

Has anyone else had experience with cracked/cut pads? Any tips on preventing it? 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Ember-I hope you feel better soon! Maybe a baby sock??? Good luck.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

She is sooo cute!  I remember seeing a bottle of something at Petco having to do with dry or cracked pads.  I almost bought it for Maggie's nose when it was so dry, but it said it was for the pads, so I didn't chance it.  Also - I wonder how vitamin E oil would work?  It sure did wonders for Maggie's nose!  It is perfect now!

[Jen & Ember]

Well, after healing up a bit, I think her pad got irritated again and the wound is obviously very painful for Ember. We went back to the vet today and were put on another seven day series of antibiotics and pain meds. PLUS, Epsom salt foot baths 2x per day. Have you ever given a dog a foot soak before? Especially a puppy? I was surprised that it went as well as it did tonight... Although the carpet is still wet!! 

If it isn't better in seven days the vet thinks they will have to sedate her and dig around in the pad to see if there is something lodged in there that we can't see praying that is not the case and that we can get her paw healed up before then!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm sorry Ember's paw hasn't improved! I hope this next round of antibiotics clears it right up.