Oh Duncan.... My girl Star has cut her paw pad on broken sea clam shells...ouch! I agree. It's probably the location that's making it especially ouchy. Keeping it clean, treating it with some antibiotic oint. and trying to keep it dry should do the trick. If Duncan is like my girl, getting him to stay off it for a while is....NOT!! Please give him a big get well soon hug from Star, Cody and me!