What Are the Treatments for a Dog's Paw Pad Injury?

Dogs have fleshy pads on the bottoms of their feet. These pads provide a cushion for the dog as he walks. Sometimes the pads crack, break and bleed if the dog steps on something sharp, walks on an irritating surface or walks too long without resting. Cold, dry climates also cause the pads to harden and crack. Walking with an injured foot pad is difficult for a dog, so caring for the pads is important. Excessive licking behavior, unwillingness to walk on a particular foot and limping indicate pad injury. Several methods exist to treat pad injuries.

  1. General Treatment

    • Treating a paw pad injury begins with disinfecting the injured area. Deep cuts might need stitches, so take the dog to the vet if bleeding is severe. Antibiotic ointment prevents infection after the initial treatment of the injury. Monitor the injury hourly after its initial discovery and continue to watch it closely in the coming days. As time passes, the injury should begin to heal and your dog's behavior should return to normal. If your dog continues to avoid walking on the pad or continues licking the paw, schedule a follow-up veterinarian visit.

    Cracking

    • Cracked pads are a common problem for dogs, especially when the weather is cold and dry. Dogs must spend time outside in the elements everyday. Dirt and debris from the ground accumulate in cracks, leading to injury and infection. Hydrating ointments available at pet stores are the best solution for cracks. Creams intended to prevent cow's udders from drying and cracking are effective. Apply a liberal amount of ointment and cover your dog's paws with bandages. The bandages help the pad absorb the ointment and prevent it from spreading as the dog walks. Soaking your dog's feet twice a week in a mixture of water and Epsom salt speeds healing and prevents infection. Apply moisturizing ointment to your dog's paws during dry weather to prevent cracking.

    Cuts

    • Humans enjoy the benefit of shoes and socks to protect their feet, but most dogs are not so lucky. Their foot pads are exposed to hard outdoor surfaces, putting them at risk for cuts, abrasions and puncture wounds. Clean this type of injury with an antiseptic solution and apply a bandage. Severe injuries need attention from a veterinarian. Stitches or a splint might be necessary for deep cuts. Your dog might also need to wear a cone-shaped collar for a few days or weeks to prevent licking or chewing on bandages.

    Burns

    • Treat paw pads the same as sunburns on skin. Cleanse the pad with antibacterial solution and apply aloe vera gel. Bandage the paw after application. Apply the gel as often as necessary. Refrigerate the gel before application to increase pain relief. Clean the burn every few hours, reapply aloe and bandage again.