Paw pad cut a few weeks ago. Dog obsessively licking it.

[Louise_Yorkshire]

Hi folks,

My boy Murphy cut one of his pads on what I think was a piece of glass whilst out on his walk (it was late in the evening so too dark to see).

There was a bit of limping and a trickle of blood that stopped once I wiped it with a cotton pad. I couldn't see anything in the cut. For the next few days, I cleaned it with salt water.

It's been 4 weeks and it looks crusty (photo attached). He still nibbles and licks the area. I don't know if it's just because it's healing so it's itchy or perhaps something I should be worried about. Any advice?

Thanks

 

[JudyN]

I'm not an expert, but I would see the vet. There could be an underlying infection.

 

[Inka]

It comes down to what YOU think... if cleaned correctly normally that is enough as pads can't be stitched and it looks like it is healing, however it is secondary infection that could potentially be a concern, so is the pad hot ( not easy to tell when the weather is warm) but compare it to his other feet...it should be 'warm' ( but not hot) as that means blood is getting to it and the process of healing is taking place, hot means inflammation and potentially infection.
Again healing itches so he is likely to lick it but that can cause a secondary infection.
Salt water bath, dry and Aloe Vera or Aqueous cream ( both are dog friendly even if they are licked off) both will help healing and stop it drying out and cracking.... keep doing it daily and keep checking it

 

[Hemlock]

There might be a fragment of glass still in the pad, so a vet check would be useful.