Chapped/worn down paw pad!

[Superhero Mom]

ok, so the weather has gotten gorgeous (finally!) and Dozer is enjoying his walks again!  Even begging to go out on walks now.  However, i have noticed his pads are getting that flakey/chapped look to them, especially on the back toes (looks like barnacles kinda?).  Well last night we went on our usual 30-45 min walk/play in the field and i noticed on our way home he wasnt limping, but his swagger was just not right.  Was of course worrying, OMG is his leg/hock/hip hurting him?... but the limp didnt get any worse.  Got home, and after 2 min on our faux wood floor his paw started bleeding... spots and smears of blood where ever he walked.  Lifted up his foot, and there was a small spot where it looked like part of the flakey area came off.  I swabbed it with some peroxide, neosporin, and he seemed fine (not limping or bleeding anymore).  Tonight after work i came home and felt guilty about being at work so i took him out tonight for 20 min, and tonight the sore/worn out spot is the size of a pencil eraser head   I feel horrible!  I know that if i dont take him on walks, he gets uber hyper in the house and winds up being too rough with either me or the kids, but i dont want him to be in pain, or get an infection or anything... I dont remember any of the dogs growing up having sore spots on their pads.  But i do remember my mom having a LARGE tin of bag balm and would tell me that cured everything... So i ordered some which will arrive between tues and fri... but is there anything i can do for him until then?!  Even now he brings me his leash to go outside again.  Oh, and hes a bugger... doesnt want to be in the grass unless its to potty or eat it...

[ksdstny]

Oooo we've never talked aboutnthis....harlow has that to. Ive even taken n spoken to dr h about it. Barrnacles is a great description. We haven had bleeding but we walk every day but man are they odd n only on the blk toes. I use bag balm every few days it helps a bit but dont expect drastic results. I think u did the right thing just watch for any signs of infection. Just like a cut on ur foot.

Our vet says he sees it alot.

[mtc]

Would he tolerate a bootie while it heals up better?  Then you can walk him and protect the paw pad.

I have to bag balm Meaty's paws too - poor thing has no traction on the wood floors.

[I Luv Chloe]

Chloe started having that and she hardly really walked around too much. It didn't get worse but I started wondering about that myself. Almost like the dryness could crack.. Hopefully there will be some great advise for this because it looks like a number of us are experiencing this..

[msmustanggirl50]

What about trying these? This store is great I never buy toys anywhere else now, plus Miz Courtney is a biggg supporter of rescues http://stores.carolinapetpantry.com/-strse-504/Digz-Allergy-Socks-Black/Detail.bok

[Superhero Mom]

i'm not sure he'll have anything on his paw... he hates having his nails clipped and the only way he suffers thru that is the promises of treats and balls LOL.  I have kept him inside 2 days, and it looks better, so i am pondering taking him out tomorrow... *crosses fingers*  I also want to try to put a baby sock on his foot, left over from the kids LOL!  We will see how it goes.