Puppy with a Bruise on her Paw

[snarlingcoyote]

DH and I and the dogs went on a hike Saturday. A challenging up and down the sides of ravines, through crystaline creeks and looking over waterfalls. We were all tired and sore and achy yesterday and today from the distance and the vertical climbs and descents.

Our little Border Collie was the mountain goat who had no problems with the hike. (The GSD got tangled up in her own paws on some really steep slopes.) We had no idea when we set out what we were getting ourselves into - we've taken them hiking in New Hampshire and Massachussetts on mountains. Those were piddling easy hikes compared to this! I just looked up a review of the hike and saw that HIKERS call this one "challenging." We just thought. . .it's Mississippi, how bad can it be? Well. Uhm.

We got home from the hike and the dogs settled in for long naps. Everyone seemed fine though.

Anyway, yesterday BC was favoring a front paw a little, but would walk on it. Tonight when I got home from work she was limping and refusing to use it. I felt all over her leg and paw, and she wasn't in any pain when I was fiddling with her leg or manipulating it and everything felt normal, but while she didn't whimper or seem horribly upset, it was clear that the pad of her paw was sore. I examined it closely for cuts or scrapes or splinters and didn't find any.

I think she has a bruise on the bottom of her foot. I've got a huge one on my knee from a fall (along with a huge red strawberry road rash!) and it's sore, but my knee isn't weight bearing. I'd trade her if I could!

She's also acting like she feels better except for the sore paw. Yipping and dancing around on three paws.

Is there anything I can do? If I went to the vet with her tomorrow, would the vet do anything but say "yep. She's got a bruise," and treat me like a heliocopter pet momma? I feel so bad, but at least the dogs had a wonderful day. (It was like visiting the Magic Kingdom for them.)

 

[JessicaR]

Maybe you could try soaking it. One of my dogs had a splinter stuck deep between the pads and at first we didn't see it. Run a finger all along where the pads meet the fur.

Also pad wounds are pretty common and not always noticeable but they tend to heal quickly.
Maybe if you don't notice any improvement in the morning you should have the vet take a look.
Hope your girl feels better soon.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Ideas for sore pad:

Soak in warm water and Epsom Salts
Ice
Vaseline and bandage
Rest
Soft surfaces

Our vet gives baby aspirin for minor aches and pains. (Call your vet's office and ask if it's ok if you're unsure.)

Unless she has a thorn or something you didn't see, she'll probably be fine in a few days, like you. Sounds like a great day!

 

[Jey12]

Glad you had a good time! Sorry the end result is a limping dog and a hurt knee.

I would try to keep her from running too much on that paw for a day or so. If there's no improvement I'd then at least run her by the vet for a check over. Good luck keeping a border collie calm I know.

Double check the area. Look at the nail bed and make sure there's not a crack in one of her nails. It's not uncommon for an active dog on a hike to get a blade of grass, thistle, small stick or thorn stuck in their paw. It could be in the hair covered area between the toes, inside of the pad where it would be very difficult to see. It could also be a small cut and it's already started to heal but is still quite sore. Try to discourage her from licking or chewing at the paw if she is doing this. I wouldn't recommend putting any type of bandage on her paw unless your vet says or does so. Not only will a bandage draw attention to the paw for the dog, but it can allow a minor cut to fester and become infected. Worst cases I've seen are very well meaning owners put on a bandage, their dog doesn't like it, dogs eats the bandage and now the dog is having issues from ingesting a foreign body.

Soaking the paw is a good suggestion. Soak for 10-15 minutes twice a day. If there is a foreign object in the paw this can help bring it to the surface. If it's a small cut soaking can help keep the area clean. Make sure you dry the paw gently after each soak. If she's not using the paw after a day of soaking, head to the vet. Hydrogen peroxide is also effective. The bubbling can cause a foreign object to be pushed to the surface and it also provides some sort of antibacterial help as well. Just be aware on a black and white dog straight hydrogen peroxide can turn white hair brown and black hair orange. It will change back, but just an FYI.

I have seen many hunting or dogs that hike come in with a similar complaint. Sometimes we could find the issue right away and fix it. Other times it could have just been a minor injury that healed on its own in a short period of time. Other times we'd look and look, find nothing. The dog would get better, then limp, get better then limp, and after a week or so an abcess would form and out would come the culprit, usually grass, sticks or thorns.

If this were my dog I'd give it 24-48 hours to heal on it's own. I would soak, and dry the paw twice a day and rest the dog as much as possible. Also keep checking a few times a day to see if you notice something new that could pinpoint the issue. If symptoms get worse, you notice a drainage from the paw or anything that concerns you at all call or drop by your vet's office.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

She will get better on her own more than likely. My border mix is always spraining her leg.

She did it again last week leaping off the deck at a high rate of speed. She limped for 2 days and then day three she was running around like nothing happened.

So give it some time.