Paw pad injuries in dogs: first aid and wound care

Overview

Paw pads are thick cushions that absorb the impact of steps. They protect bones and joints during walking and running. Their grip also reduces slipping. They allow dogs to move over uneven, rough ground. A pad is therefore weight-bearing tissue whose injury affects every step.

A small surface wound may heal on its own, but keeping it clean can be difficult if the paw is very tender. Pad tissue does not hold sutures as well as ordinary skin. Cuts and punctures in a pad may therefore heal more slowly than usual. Even a minor pad injury can be persistent.

Pads also insulate the paw against heat and cold. However, this protection does not prevent injury from hot tarmac or an extremely cold surface.

Causes

Stepping on a sharp object is a common cause. Glass or a metal fragment may remain in the wound, for example. Swelling of the pad can push a glass fragment deeper into the tissue. A retained foreign body causes inflammation and pain.

Hard, rough ground wears the undersides of paws. In snowy conditions, a sharp snow crust can cut paws and skin higher up the legs. Hot tarmac can burn pads. Extreme temperatures and chemicals can cause pad injuries without a cut from a sharp object.

A puncture or another injury can push bacteria deep into tissue. The full extent of damage is not always immediately visible, as injury to tissue blood supply may initially go unnoticed.

Risk factors

Injury risk is particularly related to the surface your dog moves over. Broken glass, sharp metal and other sharp objects in a play area are hazards to avoid. An icy or salted path can strain pads in winter. Prolonged activity on hard snow can wear paws, particularly in hunting dogs. Snow supporting a dog's weight does not mean its surface is not abrasive.

Even a protective boot can cause chafing if its fastening presses the dewclaw tightly against the paw. General health affects healing as well as the injury itself. Anaemia, malnutrition and some medicines can delay tissue repair. Assessing a persistent wound therefore considers overall health, rather than just the visible pad cut.

Typical symptoms

Lameness and paw tenderness may be the first signs of a pad wound. Your dog may also lick the pad more than usual. Findings you may notice at home include:

• Blood seeping or flowing more clearly from the pad.
• A visible tear or puncture in the pad surface.
• Paw swelling.
• Redness and increasing pain around the wound.
• Foul-smelling or pus-like discharge later on.

Bleeding can restart when your dog puts weight on the sore paw. Suspect a burn if the pad changes colour or underlying tissue becomes exposed after walking on a hot surface. This change also needs veterinary assessment.

A cut at the back of the paw above the pads may damage larger blood vessels and bleed more heavily than usual.

Complications and consequences

Walking can repeatedly reopen the wound and delay healing. Dirt and bacteria in the wound increase infection risk. A deeply retained foreign body can sustain local pain and inflammation. A small-looking surface hole therefore does not reveal whether damaging material remains underneath.

An overly tight or problematic bandage can impair paw circulation. Swollen toes, a bad smell and wet discharge in a bandage may indicate circulatory problems or infection. In the worst case, permanent paw damage can result. Licking and scratching can also infect a treated wound.

Blood accumulating in tissue can complicate or delay healing. In a wound crossing or beside a joint, scar contraction may later restrict joint movement. A clean, properly cleansed wound generally heals without complications.

Diagnosis at the vet

The vet assesses wound depth, location, contamination and the viable tissue available. If a more serious accident caused the injury, your dog's overall condition is stabilised before local wound care. A visible wound must not distract from a less obvious but serious problem such as shock.

Flushing improves visibility so deeper tissues can be examined. The vet also looks for fragments and other foreign material left in the wound. Removing a deep foreign body may require sedation. Bacterial culture and susceptibility testing can be performed on an infected wound to guide treatment.

Tissue viability is assessed before damaged tissue is removed. Blue-black, leathery or white skin may be dead tissue. Tissue of uncertain viability near nerves or blood vessels is handled conservatively. Assessment may therefore require monitoring and cleaning in stages.

Clipping hair around the wound can make cleaning and examination easier. Definitive treatment of a large or painful wound may require deep sedation or general anaesthesia. Because of blood supply damage, the wound's condition may become clearer only at a later recheck.

Treatment

The vet prescribes treatment and medicines. First aid for heavy bleeding involves pressing a clean towel against the wound. Keep your dog still and calm to reduce bleeding. Emergency help is needed if bleeding does not stop within 10–15 minutes. Contact a vet immediately about a heavily bleeding wound.

Gently flush the wound with clean water or saline. Flushing removes visible and microscopic contamination. Do not dig out a deeply embedded fragment at home, as this worsens damage and pain. Protect the wound from further contamination with a clean, lint-free covering.

At the practice, dead tissue and foreign material may be removed surgically. Pain is treated with medication chosen by the vet. An infected wound may need an antibiotic. The need is therefore assessed from the wound's condition. Do not clean it with hydrogen peroxide, as this damages healthy tissue.

A fresh, cleaned cut may be sutured if tissue condition allows. However, not every pad wound can be stitched immediately. A very dirty or infected wound may initially be left open. Delayed closure of a mildly contaminated wound may be possible after 24–72 hours. A heavily infected wound may need longer.

An open wound is managed with dressings and further cleaning when necessary until it heals. The wound-contact layer allows discharge through to an absorbent layer. Padding absorbs fluid and supports the limb. The outer layer holds the others in place and protects against dirt.

Saline used for flushing causes little irritation to healing tissue. However, it is not itself an antiseptic. Excessive flushing pressure can push dirt deeper into healthy tissues. Do not use soap, shampoo or alcohol on the wound without veterinary instructions.

A wound dressing usually has 3 layers. Besides protection, it aims to prevent the wound surface becoming too dry. New healing tissue and the surface layer developing over it are easily damaged. Damaging tissue during dressing changes can delay healing. Dressing material is changed to a non-adherent type according to the healing stage, to avoid tearing away new tissue.

A non-adherent pad against the paw pad cushions the sole and absorbs blood. Padding may also reduce pain while walking. The bandage must not be too tight: 2 fingers should fit between it and the leg.

Prevention

Remove broken glass and sharp metal from play and walking areas. Avoid hot pavements in summer and icy or salted surfaces in winter. Suitable boots can protect pads against injury on ice and crusted snow. A boot must allow free paw movement so your dog retains grip on the terrain.

Do not tighten a boot or bandage fastening over the dewclaw. A tight fastening can make the claw chafe the side of the paw. Weather and snow conditions affect whether a long woodland walk is safe. Keeping pads soft and supple helps reduce injury.

Important for dog owners

Record when the injury occurred, the surface involved and any possible contact with glass or metal. Tell the vet when your dog last ate and what first aid you provided. Keep walks calm according to treatment instructions, as loading the paw can reopen the wound. Check the bandage and toes regularly. Swelling, a bad smell or wet discharge can indicate a problem needing assessment.

Change the wound-contact pad if it becomes dirty or soaked. Protect the paw bandage from outdoor moisture with a boot and keep it dry. Prevent licking with a collar when necessary. If the wound still bleeds or reopens after 3 days, it needs another veterinary assessment. This is not a waiting period for heavy bleeding or another urgent sign.

Dressings may need daily changes using the technique demonstrated by the vet. Before going home, make sure you know who will change the dressing and how to handle the wound. An oozing wound in particular is also cleaned whenever it becomes dirty on a walk.

Frequently asked questions

When does a paw pad wound need stitches?

A deep or large wound needs prompt veterinary assessment. Whether it can be stitched depends on its location, contamination and available viable tissue found during careful examination. An infected wound may initially be left open until closure is safer.

How long does a paw pad wound take to heal?

Pad cuts and punctures may heal more slowly than usual because pad tissue does not hold sutures well. Even a minor wound can take several weeks to heal fully. The load of walking can reopen it and prolong healing.

Can my dog lick the wound clean?

Prevent licking, for example with a collar. It can infect a treated wound and does not replace careful flushing and protection. Flush with water or saline according to veterinary instructions, and change a dirty or wet protective pad.

Can I remove a glass fragment myself?

Do not dig out a deeply embedded fragment, as this increases damage and pain. A vet removes a foreign body deep within pad tissue, using sedation if needed. Pad swelling can make the fragment harder to find and push it deeper.

How can I tell whether a paw bandage is causing problems?

Swollen toes, a bad smell or wet discharge are reasons to contact a vet. They may relate to impaired circulation or infection. Keep the bandage dry and change a dirty or soaked wound pad according to treatment instructions.