My Border Collie has a big red mark on her front paw in between two toes. What can I do?

Question

She's about 4 years old and an indoor dog. It's so red, you can see it through her white fur. I tried putting some anti-biotic on it, but she keeps licking it off. She walks aroun on her foot and doesn't seem to notice the sore.
Anyone have any ideas what it might be or what to do?

Answer 1

bring it to the vet

Answer 2

My Border Collie (BC) has also had something similar pop up on his feet. Each time we took him to the vet, the vet said just make sure you keep it clean. Cliste (our dog) simply LOVES to run around, and the wetter and muckier the better it seems, so it was difficult to keep it clean. But the licking of the wound itself is the dogs way of cleansing the wound. As long as you keep a regular check on the wound and make sure it doesn't get infected, then it will eventually scab up and fix itself.

Unfortunately, BC's are an active breed and so it will weep for a while, but just bathe the paw each time you come back from your walks and it should be fine.

Because BC's are so active, I honestly think they're prone to such things as they turn on their heels/paws all the time when playing (at least Cliste does when playing frisbee) and he gets nicks and cuts around his paws often. Each time the vet's advice was the same....keep it clean and bathe/wash after every walk. Sound advice and we've never had a problem, touch wood.

There's no need for expensive anti-biotics unless it gets infected, and if you clean regularly, then it won't get infected. You're doing the dog a favour by NOT getting anti-biotics because they actually reduce the immune system if you constantly bombard them with medicines, and then when something seriously nasty DOES come along, then the immune system cannot fight it. ;-)

Answer 3

My mastiff currently has the same thing. It got worse all of a sudden and the skin split and began to bleed. After a trip to the vet it was diagnosed as an interdigital cyst. He's on antibiotics which are healing it. The vet was unsure if the antibiotics would work or if he'd have to cauterize the cyst and burn it out. Don't wait. Let a vet look at it. It could turn out to be nothing, but if it is something, better to heal it earlier than later.

Answer 4

First thing I think of is allergies. It can be as simple as using a new detergent for your laundry, or a new cleaning supply in the house. A change in her food would also do it. Or even a change in the formula of her regular food.

Make a list of anything new that you have done in the last month or so. Look at your grocery list.

Also talk with your vet. This time of year allergies usually are quieter then in the spring and summer, but it might be something else too.

We recently had one of our corgis do the same thing and figured out that the new organic detergent I was using for the laundry caused her to itch. She also can't have food with carotene in it. Once we changed back to the old detergent and changed her food, she quit itching and stopped licking her toes and they are no longer red.

Answer 5

Check and see if a small piece of glass or splinter is in there. Could be a bee/wasp sting. Or a reaction to a sting. If she got a cut on her paw it would be easy for it to get infected. The fact that she's licking it shows that there is discomfort. Watch out when you go to drain it she may guard it. (if it has fluid)

Answer 6

That Means She Has Been Licking Her Feet.

Answer 7

My dog had the same thing and the vet said it was a cyst..

Answer 8

Ewww,,,,
Thst sounds bad, I would take her to the vet
Just to be sure.

It could be a rash If she is still walking on it you wouldnt think it would be a cut

Answer 9

Call your vet.