Can anyone help with a problem with my Rotties Paw?

Question

She is 2 years old and started licking her paw a lot. I noticed she has a raw spot on the pad of her paw. It looks like she either scraped it or cut it. She has had problems before with her paw (not the same thing) and the vet gave me some medicated pads to wipe it with. Vet bills are so expensive I was wondering if keeping it clean and watch for infection would be ok or should I take her to the vet ASAP?

Answer 1

Like humans if not given a chance to heal it won't. go to your local Petsmart or similar and look in the medication aisle for supplies or check out Foster and Smith on line for a large assortment of stuff. If you've had it diagnosed before I wouldn't worry too much. Since you didn't have it specifically diagnosed I wouldn't use the medicine given for something else as it may actually irritating it more. You also can call the vet and tell them you think she scraped it and won't stop licking. Sometimes they can just tell you what to try before you bring them in. I wouldn't walk her though without somesort of protection like the dog boots they sell or a sock or something. Also, keep in mind that chemicals used on sidewalks and roads in bad weather can burn the pads of animals feet so they should be rinsed or wiped immediately after walking in it.

Answer 2

This is known as Acral Lick Granuloma aka a hot spot. This happens a lot in large breeds. Take your pup to the vet. The vet will be able to help you take care of this problem. I will be googling Acral Lick Granuloma and adding it to my answer so check back in a few minutes for more info. Good Luck ;) - Rosa

Here you go :)

What is acral lick dermatitis?

Acral lick dermatitis (also called lick granuloma) in dogs is a condition which develops as a result of excessive, chronic licking. It usually occurs on the front part of the lower leg, often over the carpus or metacarpus. The constant licking causes inflammation in the skin and, over time, the skin in that area becomes thickened. Because the dog continues to lick, the area can not heal and may become red, raised, and ulcerated. It is likely that the licking and the inflammation also cause the area to be itchy, which causes more licking, and starts an itch-lick cycle.

Which dogs are at risk for acral lick dermatitis?

Although any dog can develop a lick granuloma, it commonly occurs in middle-aged, large breed dogs, such as the Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Irish Setter, German Shepherd, and Boxer.

What causes acral lick dermatitis?

It is thought that the act of licking causes the release of endorphins (chemical substances which provide a sense of well-being) in the dog's brain. The dog soon learns that licking brings about this pleasant feeling, and keeps on licking. In other situations, there may be an underlying cause for the licking including allergies, skin mites, fungal infections, arthritis, trauma, foreign bodies, tumors, and neurological disease. There can also be psychological components, such as boredom, stress, and separation anxiety. It is important to accurately determine the cause of the licking, in order to treat effectively.

How is acral lick dermatitis diagnosed?

If you notice that your dog seems to be doing a lot of licking on his feet or legs, look closer and see if you find an area where the hair has been removed and the skin is starting to look thickened, red, and irritated. If you find a spot like this, the best thing to do is to have your dog examined by your veterinarian.

Your veterinarian may ask you questions such as when the licking started, whether your dog licks all the time, only during certain seasons, or only when he is alone. The answers to these questions will help determine if there is an underlying cause. Your veterinarian may also recommend some tests, such as a skin scraping, a fungal culture, or a skin biopsy.

What is the treatment for acral lick dermatitis?

Effective therapy for a lick granuloma will vary depending on the underlying cause for the licking, but with proper treatment, your dog will be much more comfortable. In addition to treating the underlying cause, to properly heal, it will be necessary to stop the lick cycle. To do this, medications may be given, bad-tasting liquids could be applied to the area, or Elizabethan collars used to physically prevent licking.

Often, along with a lick granuloma, there will be a bacterial infection in the skin. The moisture from the licking can cause overgrowth of the normal skin bacteria. This can increase the itchiness. Until the bacterial infection is resolved, it will be difficult to get the dog to stop licking so that the area can heal. In these cases, long-term antibiotic therapy (often for as long as 4 months) may be needed.

In those cases in which the licking may have a psychological cause, your veterinarian may recommend a trial of an anti-depressant medication.

****Over the counter medications are not good for dogs. Only get one at a veterinary pharmicist and only when precribed by the vet. A vet HAS to diagnose the problem first.

*******Here's a link to a picture of a dog's paw that has been affected by this disorder.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Canine_lick_granuloma.jpg/450px-Canine_lick_granuloma.jpg

Answer 3

Sure, try keeping it clean. Maybe you should also get a cone collar (they sell them at pet stores), to keep him from licking the paw. It doesn't sound too serious, and it should heal on its own with proper care.

Answer 4

my husky gets sore spots on the pads also. my vet told me to soak his foot in warm epsom salted water for about 10 mins a few times a day then apply an antibiotic ointment like polysporin afterward. after a few days he healed nicely. try it and make sure it doesn't get worse or turns red or oozes. hope she feels beter soon

Answer 5

TAKE HER TO THE VET! What if wat ur doing is wrong. it don't matter if the bill is expensive. don't u care about her!?