Dogs rely on their pads for traction and to absorb shock. If you watch your dog you will see just how much the pads go through everyday.

A dogs paw pads are the hairless thick, spongy part of the paw. A paw has a large heart shaped metacarpal pad (on the front paws) or metatarsal pad (on the back paws) and usually four load bearing digital pads. The paw pads have evolved into a resilient part of the dogs body. Even though the paw pads are tough they can still get cut walking on glass, burned walking on hot asphalt or even punctured.

To help prevent paw pad injuries keep a watchful eye on where he is walking or playing. You may also want to consider dog booties. This will help shield the pads from injury and climate issues. Even with all this extra care and protection your dog could still end up getting a pad injury. Most dogs don’t like their feet handled, so it’s a good idea from the start to gently handle and inspect the pads daily, after a walk or play time. Feel each one of the dog’s pads and also between the pads, look for splinters, cuts, scrapes and cracking.This will help you gain the trust of your dog.

Some symptoms of paw pad injury to watch for are limping or not wanting to put weight on the paw,bleeding and excessive licking. If you find that your dog has a paw pad injury, treatment will depend on the injury. Here are a few first aid tips.
Burns-Try using a cold pack or running cold water over the paw and contact your veterinarian.
Chemicals-Don’t let your dog lick himself, wash the area with cold water and call your veterinarian.
Cracking-Try using a paw conditioner, this could help prevent cracking and drying.
Cuts- It’s very easy for your dogs paw to get cut. It’s important for you not to panic so that your dog doesn’t get nervous. First, determine if there is any debris, such as glass, in the wound. If there is use your judgment on removing it or not, taking out a piece of glass or anything else that may be stuck in the paw pad can cause hemorrhaging and make it worse. Swishing the paw in clean water could remove any small pieces of debris that might be in the wound. Put a clean cloth over the wound pressing on it to stop the bleeding. However if the wound is deep you may not be able to stop the bleeding and a trip to the vet may be necessary, for stitches and antibiotics.
Splinters- Try taking a pair of tweezers and removing the splinter if this does not work a trip to your veterinarian could be your best bet.

Your dogs paws and pads are difficult-to-heal areas because it is hard to stay off of them. That’s why even minor injuries could require a trip to your veterinarian. Your VETERINARIAN should be consulted whenever you are concerned or any suspicious injury needs checked out.Click Here!