Ripped skin off paw pads

sarasmom · 09-21-2009, 02:12 PM

Yesterday my lab was playing outside and started limping. I went over and looked and she had ripped a piece of skin off the pad on both of her back paws. Her paws didn't bleed at all and we made sure they were clean and are trying to keep her off her feet as much as possible. Is there anything else we can do to help them heal faster?

Mikey · 09-21-2009, 02:15 PM

I've never experienced this before although we are right now dealing with cut webbing in our dog's food -ugg!

I would obviously keep a VERY close eye for any sign of infection or discomfort to the dog-if either, you should take her to the vet. You don't want her to be in pain

Here's a link I found on pad injuries-hope this helps!
Healing Your Dog's Paw Pad Injury: Tips to Treat a Cut on a Pet?s Foot Pad | Suite101.com

pawzaddict · 09-21-2009, 03:26 PM

Did you take the dog to the vet to have the pads checked? If her pads are ripped they were either burned or cut by something. They need to be kept clean and possibly bandaged and the bandaged should probably be changed daily.

MySoulmateEmmy · 09-22-2009, 08:20 AM

I have had my dog's pads cut so many times from running around so hard I just leave them alone to heal on their own. The first time it happened I took her to the vet and they sedated her and cut away the skin flaps hanging and cleaned them and bandaged it then gave her additional antibiotics to take at home. It was just such an ordeal and money expense and she was so loopy etc. she healed on her own without all that, just was a little miserable and limpy for a few days. but that's just me.

To PREVENT your dog's pads from ripping while playing make sure she plays in a soft area and gets breaks from playing if she is playing extra hard or put booties on her. The pads do tend to toughen up though if they are worked enough. Some dogs just have more fragile pads than others. Maybe get some advice from the vet and get some solution you can clean her feet in the future and ointment you can use after the pads are clean.

~MSE

**fawkese1** · 09-22-2009, 12:49 PM

i would definately be concerned with what it was the caused them to rip, if you don't already know. is it hot where you are? could they have been burned on something? or did she step on something sharp? or was she just playing hard on rocky ground? then you can figure out how to prevent it in the future.