Salt and Limping?

[Kewll0ser]

So I just got back from a walk with Butterscotch and I noticed something...odd.

We were walking down a very icy block and came across a patch of snow salt. Butto was reluctant to go past it, but I thought it was the ice that bothered her. However, when she set her back left paw down on the salt, she whimpered and immediately picked her paw up as far as it could go. When we crossed over the patch, she put her foot down and walked normally.

Then, when we came home, I gave her a fresh bowl a water and after she calmed down, I went to go inspect her paw. When I touched the paw and looked at it, she turned around quickly and bared her teeth.

Now I've NEVER seen any agressive behavior like that from Butto, so whatever this is, it has to be bad.

This is not the first time I've heard of Butto limping like this. My mom walked her one day and came back telling me that she limped after walking across salt. Same foot also.

Does anyone have any idea as to what is making my Butto limp like this ? :confused:

[kokopup]

You might want to check out this
link: Salt can cause paws to be sore.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2092369_prevent-snow-damage-dog-paws.html

[Kewll0ser]

Thanks Kokopup!

I'll be sure to check her paws before and after a walk, and even add a little vaseline for good measure. I think its a cut, because she has never walked like this before in salt, and theres some broken glass by the park, which is probably how she got the cut.

[Karen]

Yes, salt in a wound is very very painful, and salt can cause paws to dry and crack, and then salt can get in and hurt as well. If lots of people throw down salt where you live, you might want to invest in some booties. Poor Butterscotch!

[Kewll0ser]

LOL! Funny you should mention the booties Karen. When Butto was about 5 years old I took her to the petstore with my mom and we put a one of the booties on her paw and she just limped around with it. Then we tried it on all fours and she ripped them off and refused to walk. I don't think the booties are going to work. :(

Its weird because its only the salt thats been freshly put, not the salt that has already melted. I'm going to have to avoid the salt for now. Which will be easy because everywhere else besides that little strip by the park doesn't have salt. She'll live without the park for a day or so. ;)

[Karen]

Its weird because its only the salt thats been freshly put, not the salt that has already melted. I'm going to have to avoid the salt for now. Which will be easy because everywhere else besides that little strip by the park doesn't have salt. She'll live without the park for a day or so. ;)

That's good, I'm glad most of the places are salt-free!

[shepgirl]

Wondering if maybe your dog might have had a cut before she walked on the salt? Sounds a bit odd because mine go out everyday for long walks and our roads are salted, they've never had any ill effects. I do rinse off their paws when they come back so they don't lick the salt. I don't know too many dogs that won't try tearing boots off and even don't want to walk with them on, it's too funny to watch. They sell something here called musher's paw...some people use that to put on their dogs paws if they find they have sensitive feet.

[Kewll0ser]

Maybe she has a cut. She didn't limp today when she went through a bit of salt, so maybe its healing. :confused: I hope so, I hate to see her in pain.