Outdoor activities are popular during our non-travel period and dogs can make great company. However, while we have shoes to protect our feet from the heat, our furry friends are on bare paws Injuries could result from the scorching sidewalk, tree branches, grass seed or even broken glasses on the road. Pet parents should take precautions to minimize their paws exposure to such environments.
Causes of Paw Injuries
1. Fungal / bacterial infection
Dogs' paws are often in contact with the ground, soil, etc., and any breach in the skin barrier or paw surfaces could predispose them to be infected by bacteria, fungus or even virus. Symptoms could be seen as redness, swelling, pain, and itching on the pads.
2. Dry pads
Many reasons can cause dry or even cracked footpad, including high-temperature roads, cold weather, chemicals, and so on. This increases the risk of infection as it compromises the natural barrier.
3. Burns, blisters
In the hot summer days, the roads could be piping hot. The high temperature could burn the paw pads of the doggies, causing swelling, redness, and blisters.
4. Paw cuts
It is a common condition observed in dogs. Sharp objects such as small stones, glass debris, wooden sticks, grass seed could penetrate or cause small cuts in the foot.
5. Parasitic infection
Ticks could lurk in the dog’s paws and interdigital area and cause skin irritations or even infections, leading to symptoms such as hair loss, swelling, and itching.
How to prevent paw injury
1. Daily Paw Care. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet to remove gravel, salt and chemicals-and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes. Apply treatment or seek veterinarian attention accordingly.
2. Keep Paw Moistened. Massage petroleum jelly into paw pads before going out may help protect footpad from salt and chemical agents. This could be particularly helpful if your dog suffers from dry food pads. In addition, moisturizing after a walk could help heal chapped paws.
3. Trim their nails regularly and check them every week. Overgrown nails could injure the paws.
4. Booties could be used to help minimize contact with gravel, poisonous chemical agents, and the scorching road. They can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes, causing irritation.
5. Choose the right time for dog walks. In summer, avoid bringing your dogs out during the hottest period of the day, such as noon time, to prevent paw burns and heatstroke. Choose the appropriate path for walks which should include some shades along the way.
If you spot wounds or redness on your pet’s feet, please place the Elizabethan Collar (cone) on them to prevent licking and further trauma to the wound. Clean the affected area with anti-septic solution (as dispensed from your veterinarian) and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Appointment/Enquiry:
3650 3000 (Mon-Sun: 9:00am – 7:00pm)
Address:
G-2/F, Trinity Towers, 339 Lai Chi Kok Road, Sham Shui Po
Online booking for revisit with primary care veterinarians or vaccination:
https://www.cityuvmc.com.hk/en/online-booking