If your dog has cut the paw pad on their foot and your questioning what to do about it? Will this injury heal at home, or will it need veterinarian care?
A cut in the paw pad that is bleeding, torn, or jagged will need to be seen by a veterinarian. These deep cuts will usually require stitches. To protect it until you get to the veterinarian, follow these steps:
- Stop the bleeding by applying pressure and wrapping.
- Clean the wound
- Dry the paw pad
- Apply antibiotic ointment
- Apply gauze and wrap the paw
- Seek Veterinary Care
My one-year-old golden retriever is a people-loving dog as most goldens are so when he saw someone in the yard trimming some bushes he just had to get out and say hello. After a few failed attempts on his part and mom telling him no. My dog decided he would act like he had to really “go,” so I thought well maybe he does need to go out.
We go out the back door, and he gets his regular “go pee” command sniffs around like he is going to go and bolts straight to the yardman.
Typically this isn’t a big deal we have acreage, and most people love saying hello to him too. By the time I turn the corner, the guy has pup on his back and looks at his paw.
I thought he was giving some belly scratches, but he proceeded to me; it seems like he cut the bottom of his paw on his tree trimming saw. He set the saw on the ground, and my dog stepped on it, running full force in excitement.
The wound was bleeding quite profusely poor guy had blood everywhere. My goal was to stop the bleeding, so I could set my eyes on the actual cut and evaluate how bad the wound was. After holding some pressure and change out a couple of towels, we finally got the bleeding to stop and turns out my dog has a pretty deep wound. (Picture below)
I cleaned the wound up and put gauze directly over the but holding it together and wrapped with an ace bandage. If you don’t have an ace bandage handy cut some strips of a towel or shirt use just like a bandage. It’s best to carry your dog so they don’t split the cut open more and start bleeding again.
Get your dog comfortable in the vehical with his paw wrapped up and head to your local vet.
Table of Contents
Treatment for cut in paw pad
The treatment for a deep cut through the paw pad will require stitches. The vet explained the procedure would require sedation, they use reversible anesthesia, and he would be awake to bring home. Which he was, but he did seem a little more sleepy than usual that night.
Vet sent him home bandaged up with a good bit of padding in the foot wrap. He’s getting used to the wrapped foot and making fewer attempts to take it off. Which means I don’t have to put the cone collar on him.
Medicine
The vet explained when your dog gets a cut like this, they will need to be on antibiotics to help prevent infection. The vet also prescribed an anti-inflammatory for pain and inflammation.
Paw Pad Injuries
Scuffed Pad- Scuffed pad usually results in one layer of the padding scraped off.
- Clean with soap and water
- Dry
- Wrap for a day or two
Pads that are pink or bleeding
- Put gauze pad on it
- Wrap the paw
- Call your vet
Your vet will need to make sure there is no infection
Cut Pads – Small Slice that is not bleeding
- Clean
- Antibacterial Ointment
- Wrap the paw
- No rough play for a few days
Cut Pad that is bleeding significantly
- Stop the bleeding
- Pit gauze pad on pay
- Wrap the paw
- Bring to vet
If your pet’s injury looks small, but you are concerned, it doesn’ hurt to have your vet look at it during regular hours. It’s better to have it looked at than dealing with something worse like an infection later on.
