I was out walking my dog in the woods and she got a thorn stuck between her paw pads. She wasn't actually limping, but when she stood still, she wouldn't put her paw on the ground. I've managed to get the thorn out using tweezers, but what's the best way to disinfect her paw?
Many thanks in advance!
Translated from French
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Hi there. A limp isn't always down to a thorn; she might have bumped her leg or twisted it while out walking. Keep a close eye on her over the next few days—check how the foot and leg look, but also watch to see if she’s licking it or if she keeps limping. Obviously, if you notice any redness or swelling, you should head back to the vet.
It’s also worth double-checking that she’s always limping on the same leg. When my dog was younger, whenever I told him off, he’d start limping every single time, really laying it on thick with his paw tucked right up. It can be a way of trying to distract you (sort of like, 'how can you tell me off when I'm a poor little injured dog?').
I was out for a walk with my little dog in the woods and since we got back, she’s been struggling to put weight on her paw. I think she might have a thorn stuck in there, but I can’t see anything. We’ve already been to the vet and they did an X-ray, but it didn't show anything at all. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to help her?
I checked their little paw pads this morning and everything was normal, no signs of infection. I compared them with the other paw, side by side, and the pads were identical, so all is well. Phew!
Actually, it was just a tiny little wooden splinter that had got stuck between two of her pads. She was walking normally, but whenever she stopped, she’d lift her paw. Luckily, we weren’t far from home—only about a 10-minute drive. Once we got back, my husband held her while I managed to get the splinter out with some tweezers. Then I soaked her paw in some clean, lukewarm water, dried it with a clean towel, and applied some antiseptic.
She’s been walking normally since then and isn't lifting her paw anymore when she stops; I’ve even seen her running around. There wasn't any bleeding, it was just a bit red where the tip of the splinter had been. I'm a bit nervous about letting her out in the garden, though, as I'm worried it might get infected. In any case, she hasn't lost her appetite—quite the opposite!—and she’s been drinking her water, so that’s a good sign.
Soda is a white powder used for disinfecting a toe or finger when a splinter has been stuck in there for ages and it's become infected. I'm not sure if you have this product in the UK.
I haven't done it yet, but I was wondering if I could also soak her paws in some lukewarm water with a bit of bicarb. What do you think? How long will it be before she can go out in the garden?
