Small laceration on paw pad

[Kyoko]

This morning, I noticed very small spots of blood on the snow while paying in the back yard.

I watched both of my dogs and the trail of spots, and determined that it was coming from Charlie's front foot.

After returning inside, I washed the foot with blood, and saw a small laceration on one of the pads. ( about 1/4 inch long. )

After washing, I dried it, and put A&D ointment ( That was the only thing I had at that moment )on it.

Bleeding stopped immediately, and when I took her out for potty later, there were no blood stain in the snow and appears that it is no longer bleeding.

But I am wondering if I need to take her to the vet? Should I wrap the foot? Or just continue to keep it clean and put antibiotic ointment on it? If so, is it ok for her to lick that..?

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Shallow wounds to the paw pads heal really fast. If the cut is not deep, I wouldn't worry. The main thing is to keep it clean and dry. That can be challenging when you take them outside, especially at this time of year. 

I don't use any kind of ointment anywhere that they can lick it off. You can wrap it loosely with gauze or something that allows air to get to it,  which case you can use an antibiotic ointment. Or if it's very superficial, you can just leave it alone. 

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

Ok - :) I won't use ointment either then. Thanks as always Karen!

[Kyoko]

OK. Thank you Karen. It does not seem deep or anything. It was a bit alarming because of bright red spots on the white snow. I don't think wrapping loosely will work for this girl.. lol. It will come off as quickly as I wrap it, I think... I was thinking about putting her foot in the balloon, but that will not allow the air to flow through...

I guess I will just wash her feet each time and leave it alone.

Thank you Karen!

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

Thunder just got one today at the groomer. I am just going to put ointment on it and watch it. I will let him lick it, unless the licking becomes excessive. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

We have been fortunate I guess - and I need to knock on wood!  Neither of the boys have ever come home with a laceration or even a nick from our groomer! I hope she never quits grooming!   I am glad this is a minor laceration.

[Kyoko]

Thanks, Linda. I don't even know how she got this.... My thoughts are possibly from playing too much in the snow, or possibly by some ice.....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kyoko, soaking the paw in tepid water with epsom salts helps it heal, if she will cooperate. 

[Kyoko]

I think she will be OK with that. I do have Epsom salt. I will do that tonight. Thank you so much!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree with Karen.   Here is what we do.

One of our vets, an old -school, 87 year old gem told us to treat these type of paw wounds the following way:

• Soak paw in Dreft detergent, or Tide, or any detergent for 20 mins, 4 times a day
• Dry the foot
• Dap alcohol.

We skip the alcohol.  I would think this just draws out the excess water but really, it's so dry this time of year.

Good luck.

Maybe when it heals treat with some soft of paw-softening lotion.  Burt's Bees?  What ever.  That might help prevent hard and dry paws  too.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

P.S. we used gallon size freezer bags and sat with him holding it around his ankles.  A nice quiet couch watching TV.  

[Kyoko]

Lotion sounds good. Once healed, I should buy Mushers Secret or something. I think this was caused by this severe weather and ice ....

[Bonnie and Kona]

I agree with all of the suggestions about cleaning the wound and the keeping it dry the best you can.

I have put a sock on the foot after cleaning the wound. It keeps them from licking. I wrapped masking tape around the outside of the sock cuff to keep it on and then folded the top of the cuff over the tape. I hope that makes sense.