My dogs paws are swollen and turning a bright red/pink color?

Question

There is one pad on 2 of the four paws that is swelling up and turning a reddish pink color. The vet gave her some pain killer and cephalexin 5 days ago and it is getting worse instead of better. Does anybody have a diagnosis and a cure for this problem?

Answer 1

bright red/pink....is probably an indication of infection...look for cuts, splinters...etc...

take him to a vet that will explain the possible cause...and examine the area thoroughly

Answer 2

Sounds like an allergic reaction to something. If the meds your vet gave you are not working then you need to take the dog back to the vet or give them a call.
Could just be an allergy to something in the air or to pollen.My dog had something similiar last year where his paws were turning more red each day. Our vet said his saliva was dying the hair on his feet. The more licking he did, the more saliva, the more his feet turned red. With some meds everything cleared up.

Answer 3

Brian, Cephalexin is a pretty good antibiotic to use in skin infections. Make sure you are giving them as directed by your vet. It sounds like your dog may be having an allergic reaction to something - environment, food, etc. Any changes lately? Have your sprayed your yard or home for insects or fertilizer lately? Is your dog licking at the paws all the time? Even that will slow down healing and you may have to get an "E-collar" a.k.a. lampshade to prevent this. Meanwhile, see your vet again if this doesn't resolve soon. It may get alot worse. She/he may need a shot of anti-inflammatory RX. or prednisone to get the healing going. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

Sounds like pododermatitis, which is an umbrella term for many different possible causes. We have a catahoula dog in the family with Cushing's disease (adrenal or pituitary tumor causes overproduction of cortisol) who battles pododermatitis constantly. Other causes are allergies, auto-immune disorders like lupus, other internal disorders, mange, and sometimes fungi present in the environment.

The only way to get a treatment is to get a diagnosis, which only a veterinarian who can examine the dog can give you. If you are not satisfied with the treatment your vet has provided so far, get another! Many vets go a LIFETIME without ever seeing a case like Cushing's disease, and can sometimes miss a diagnosis. I would recommend checking out pododermatitis on Google and see if any of it sounds and looks familiar.

Good luck, and don't be afraid to persist until you get an answer. And to answer someone else's post, Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic commonly prescribed for skin infections.

Answer 5

Go to the vet as soon as you can get in, it doesn't sound like a big emergency. If it gets hot to the touch then it is a very serious infection and is an emercency, though.
Clearly this infection is not reacting to the Cephalexin, she could be having a reaction to it but not likely. A different antibiotic may be in order here.

To help it try alternating a cool and warm compress on it. This will help reduce swelling and warmth will help bloodflow.

Take her to the vet as soon as you can.

Answer 6

Take her back to the vet. The pain killer may be working and I have no clue what Cephalexin5 is for, but they're clearly not doing the trick.

If you went to the doctor with some problem and he gave you medication that is supposed to clear it up and it didn't........

I'd almost suggest waiting till Mon morn, though, cuz it'll be cheaper than an emergency visit- same as ER vs Doc's office...

Answer 7

i agree take the dog back to the vet also you can put a ice pack wraped in a washrag on the foot to help relive some of the swelling also if the vet don't do anything get another vet

Answer 8

tske your dog to a good vet that knows what to do and that has learned how to deal with the problem soak the dogs paws in worm or cool water depending on how it reacts to each i would siggest worm water this very well could be a alergic reaction or your dogs front or back paws could have stept in or on something you should assist it imediatly. at least try soaking its paws i work with doga and i know haw to deal with the problems listen to what your dog is telling you through signs anything your dog wont go near in your yard or naighborhood?

Answer 9

There's probably something stuck in the paw. Needs to go back to the vet. Antibiotics won't work if there is something stuck in the paw.

Answer 10

It may be some type of allergy to food, weather, type of carpet, or some house hold products that you may be using. My dog has the same kind of problem. Take her back to your vet and do an allergy test or give her some allergy medication and see if that works.