Hurt Paw

My brothers took Draker out on the Applachian Trail yesterday for some hiking. We let Drake off leash on the AT. A couple of hours into the hike, they noticed Drake's paw was bleeding. The turned around and came back home.

I tried to take a look at it when I came home, but he wouldn't let me. It looks like he cut the pad on one of his toes. It looks like a big cut and I freaked out. I called the vets to tell them I was on my way, but they said if it was the pad, there was nothing they could do for him. My vet told me to try and keep it clean, no use in bandaging it since Draker would surely bite it off. He recommended that I stop by and pick up some Antibiotics to prevent infection. I went there and picked them up yesterday before they closed.

Well, this morning when I woke up, I noticed more blood on my carpet, bed, and couch. Places where Drakes had hung out. He keeps licking it and I don't know what to do. He is not limping, but I know it is hurting him coz he won't let me near it.

HELP!! What should I do?

OH NO, NOT OUR DRAKER BOY! maybe soaking it? my mom always said dog spit will heal all wounds so maybe Drake is doing what's best at this time. Could there be something imbedded in it? Oh dear, oh dear:(

What should I soak it in, Lauria?

Souraya,

How do they know it's a cut on the pawpad if they've not
examined it in person? If Drake doesn't like his feet handled,
think I'd take him to someone who could "eyeball" it for you.
Could there be a thorn or something else stuck in the toe
area? If he's still bleeding & he favors that paw, I'd have the
Vet look at it, but that's me. I'm a worry wort:rolleyes: Liz.

Souraya, you should have called or emailed me!! Duncan has cut his pads more than any other dog I swear!


Soak it in Epsom Salts and warm water for 5 minutes every day. The vet told me to keep it covered when he was outside. I took a sturdy plastic bag, thick plastic, actually an old IV bag and thread string through the top. Then I would tie that on to his foot when we went outside. It didn't stay on long so I would wipe it off with a warm washcloth every time he came in. He hated the whole deal of course but it healed very well and quickly. I also put some triple antiobiotic on it at night before we fell asleep. He was usually too tired to lick too much and if he did I was right there to distract him and stop him. It took about 2 weeks total to start looking better. In fact, he limped on it for almost 2 weeks also! The vet said I would see white granules forming on the pad and that meant it was healing.

He should be fine! So stop worrying!! :) ;) I spent $$$ in vet bills for them to tell me what I just told you! You're a great mom to Drake so I know you will be very conscientious and he will be fine!!

Wanted to send get well wishes to Drake.
Keep an eye on the cut, try to keep Drake quite,
paw clean and dry.
(Drake licking his paw might irratate the cut and the moistness
might keep the cut from healing faster)
As already suggested, I would definitley put something
on Drakes paw when he goes outside, like a boot etc.

I remember what I went through with Rocky,
when he split his toe and our vet cut down his nail to the toe. What was suppose to take a week to heal took months. :(

We wish him well :( We hope Drake feels better soon ..

{{{{{ DRAKE }}}}}}

Awww Poor Drake!! I hope his paw will heal fast. It's never fun when they are hurting! Feel better soon, Drake!!

Poor Draker :( I hope your paw feels better soon.

Poor Draker! :(

I hope he heals soon. *hugs*

Thank you for all your advise.

Liz, I can see where the cut is, and that's how I know it's the pad. He let me touch it today without growling at me :) I have soaked it twice in epsom salt water. It hasn't bled since this afternoon. He didn't limp yesterday when it happened and hasn't been limping today. Guess his licking is what made it bleed.

Souraya,

Good to hear that you actually saw the cut & that the
soaking the paw has helped. :) Very happy to know that
Drake is not limping or in pain either... Ever think of making
him a pair of "hiking boots" ? :D Hugs to the big guy!!!

i hope draker is getting better. :)

Get better quick, Drake!!!!!!

I hope drake feels a little better today.

I think Drake's paw will be OK. It hasn't bled since Friday morning. He still licks it, but it looks like it is healing. I will continue to give him the antibiotics till they are all gone. I am still soaking his paw too. Boy is that a task!! He doesn't want to stand still. My brother and I have to hold him in place :D

I'm glad to hear his paw is doing better & that he's not in pain. Take care Draker boy!

Thanks for the good news ! :) :) Please give him big hugs from me and Missy :)

I'm glad to hear is paw is doing better.

Well, I missed all of this, but I'm glad to read that he is improving! Can't imagine trying to hold that big boy down to get a good look. I'm glad you had help.

Hugs to Drake from me, please. :)

I am glad to hear that Drake is doing better too. Another suggestion for pad problems is a product found at most pet stores called Bag Balm. It actually helps with cracked paws and promotes healing. You can put a little of it on after the foot soaks. Dixie hated the foot soaks at first but then started to actually like them. Hope Draker starts liking them better too!!

I had forgotten all about Bag Balm! It's original use was for cow udders (or goat etc.) that suffered from chaffing or were sore but since was discovered to help with all kinds of "udder" things (:o sorry..:p ). My gramma used to use it for badly chapped hands for example. If you can't find it at the local pet shop try a farm supply place.
Laurie

Drake is still resistant to the soaks. My brother holds him down and I hand feed him his food. It seems to work better that way :)

I will check out the Bag Balm next time I am at the pet store.

Great that Drake is improving. Isn't it fun trying to get them to do something they don't want to??? Good luck!

Just read this post. Happy that Drake is doing better! Could you just lift him in the tub and soak all 4 paws that won't hurt.
Oh, yes bag balm! Same as Corona cream I think . It might be still found at the drug stores. Cure all pets and humans alike.:D