infected paw

[Hee Yung Lee]

Last night I noticed Bogart's back paw looking a bit infected. I think what happened is he got a cut at the dog park. There are woodchips on the ground and when he plays fetch he always slides to get the ball. I think he must have got a splinter or cut from the chip. It doesn't bother him at all and I only noticed it because he was stretched out with his back paws to me. Anyway, it's not the pad, but between the pads, on the bottom (the middle part, not between toes). It looks very irritated and red, there was some puss, and smelled pretty bad. It is Sunday and my vet is not open, so I will try to get him in tomorrow. In the meantime, I want to take care of it. Last night I cleaned it out with some peroxide. My boyfriend suggested that we soak his paw in some epsom salt and water. Does anyone know if this is ok to do with a dog's paw? Also anyone else have any other suggestions? Thanks so much!

[TimberWolf]

clean it with warm water and then use pressure on it. If it starts to bleed use some pressure on the wound, but clean it either way because the pus and bad scent indicates an infection. Hydrogen peroxide is ok but honestly with the stories I've heard about what hydrogen peroxide actually does to the blood it could only hurt his wound at this point, but if you have anything else to use on infected wounds try it. Epsom salt is a good idea, but use very little though. a teaspoon should be enough. Soak his paw in there for a little bit after cleaning the area. After that you may want to keep his paw off the floor. you may have very clean floors but anything can get his wound more infected. You can try putting a clean sock on him to keep his paw from hitting the floors but even better just keep him on your bed and spoil him. Watch his paw for any other discharges and clean it up. If it looks like it's getting worse you may want to concider taking him to a 24 hour clinic. It sounds though like you have it under control until tomorrow.

I use different things now than when I did as a dog groomer when a dog would get cut. It does happen but then I'd use hydrogen peroxide. Now I found out that hydrogen peroxide also kills white blood cells which is needed to fight off infections, I use wan hua oil and sometimes tea tree oil for open wounds. They work very well. They are both antiseptics (tea tree oil is also an anti bacterial oil) and don't cause any pain...just smell bad. I think you can get tea tree oil from whole foods or a vitamin store. If you choose to try tea tree oil, use very little. It's known to be toxic for cats but not for dogs but either way it should not be used too much. It's strong stuff and works very well so it's worth it, but you only need a little bit. Wan hua oil is not toxic to pets and doesn't have as strong a scent. you can get that one online. I've used that one on my dogs and they don't seem to mind it at all.

Good luck! Try asking in the health forum for more advice.

[Hee Yung Lee]

Thanks for your replay, Anne. I washed out his back paws (upon further inspection, I noticed his other back paw look dirty and a bit red, so just to be safe, I am taking care of this one too) using warm water and some special antibacterial soap. I let them dry and then I applied some animax cream I had from before. I wasn't sure if this was ok to use, so I just used the tinest bit and then I put some socks on him. Tonight before bed, I am going to soak them in epsom salt water. Hopefully I can get him in tomorrow. I have a feeling the vet is going to suggest antibiotics, but he was just on some antibiotics not too long ago for his anal glands, so I would prefer not to put him on them again. I am going to ask him what he thinks about tea tree oil or some other way to help his paw. Thanks again for your help. Bogey thanks you too and says, "these socks suck!" :lol:!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/schu0710/27.jpg

[Lauren Frisbie]

He looks absolutely adorable with the socks on his feet! How cute!!! And the way he is sitting cracks me up!!! Hope he's ok,

[Amber]

:rofl: That picture is absolutely too funny!

I remember having to use epsom salt and warm water when my navel got infected (navel ring). My piercer said to use it because it "pulls out the infection." I'm supposing those are lay man's terms...it's probably more complicated than that...I don't know though.

[Jesse Cruz]

oh my goodness Bogart looks sooo freaking cute sitting there with his socks. he is almost human! i love it!

i hope his paws heal, let us know!

[TimberWolf]

That is SOO cute!!! The expression on his face is priceless. Don't loose that picture. It's hilarious and so adorable!!

I've had to put a socks on Sparky at one point. You should see her walk. She'll keep picking up her feet like she's tip-toeing around the house. She hates it too but it's so cute to watch her.

[Jill Ramsey]

His face says, " Can you believe what she did to me this time?" :embarasse

[Hee Yung Lee]

LOL!! Yeah, poor Bogart. He actually didn't mind the socks so much, I mean I thought for sure he'd be biting at them, but surprisingly he didn't. The only problem he had was with the walking. When he walked he would pick up his hind legs really high. It was hilarious.

I have decided to wait a few days before I take him in. Cleaning them out really well helped them a lot. The fur and skin is still red, but I am going to keep cleaning it and applying animax for a few days and see if it helps some more.

[heathea]

You did good. Sorry I didn't read your post sooner, that picture is KILLING me. Hooo-larious. I am also not a fan of over antibiotic-ing either me or my dogs, and that is the first thing a vet will give you. But definately keep an eye on his feet (I know you will) because dogs (and cats) seem to heal very quickly at the skin level while an infection will fester inside, then comes the uber sick dog and the rush to the vet. You take very good care of your Bogart, so I am sure he will be fine. Just keep an eye out for any swelling, etc. and keep changing his socks.

As to hydrogen peroxide or Betadine (surgical disinfectant) the best thing to do when using on pets is to dilute with distilled water. They are both great disinfectants, however they can damage tissue when applied at a higher strength. A good cleanser to have on hand for any wound is called Nolvasan. It is not prescription and you used to be able to get it from Foster and Smith, but they no longer carry it.
I took a couple of minutes to look up Animax, wow, sounds like powerful stuff and will help him to feel no pain as well as kill any fungus or bacteria.

Keep an eye on it, but it sounds like you are doing the right thing.
Take care,
Heather

[Hee Yung Lee]

Thanks, Heather. I have decided that if I don't see major improvements by Friday, he is going in that day. Like you said, there could be something going on beneath the skin and I don't want to take any risks. :(

[heathea]

Never hurts to go to the vet if you can afford it. Esp. with foot wounds (prone to infection). However, dogs do have an amazing ability to heal themselves. Use your judgement.
Just for fun though you should find some stripey socks to put on Bogart, I swear, with that dog, you should be in the movies. Every time I see a picture, I laugh out loud.

Take care,
Heather

[Hee Yung Lee]

Just for fun though you should find some stripey socks to put on Bogart, I swear, with that dog, you should be in the movies. Every time I see a picture, I laugh out loud.


I don't think I have any striped socks, but I do have some with bulldogs on them!! Thanks for the compliment. Bogart is a really goofy dog. He's as goofy as he looks. :)