Dog Foot Problems You Need To Take Care Of Now

Dog foot problems can become a real pain in the foot for your dog. And, it can become a real pain for you, his caretaker, both to figure out the exact nature of his paw problems as well as the dog paw treatment to help the situation.

You may suddenly notice that your dog is limping or biting at his foot. Let’s break down the most common dog foot problems and the solutions to them. Sit down with the dog, his foot resting in your lap. Now, dogs are not known to be happy about having their feet touched. Start by gently stroking his leg, close to the foot area, speaking soothingly to him. When he seems comfortable, venture onto the top of his foot, still speaking softly to him.

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Common Dog Foot Problems:

- Spread his toes slightly apart, inspecting the nails to assure none are broken or bleeding. Dogs will often catch their nails in carpets, deck boards, etc., causing them to rip. If this happens, you will need to stop the bleeding with a styptic powder, clean and apply antiseptic ointment. Then, a Veterinarian appointment is in order to assure nail does not become infected. Also, if the nail is still attached, it may need to either be bandaged or removed.
- Check between the paw pads for any objects that may be lodged there, such as: sand spurs, thistles, stones, grass. If you discover something there and there are no open wounds or abrasions around the area, you can simply remove it with a long tweezers and your dog will likely run off happily on his way. If the object has caused an irritation, clean it with cool water and apply an antibiotic ointment.
  Miracle Care Kwik Stop Gel swab – 423601 Rapid Vitality Stainless Steel Slant and Pointed Tweezer Set, 2-Pack SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Spray for Dogs and Cats; 8 fl. oz.
Examine the bottoms of your dog’s sore paw pads. Is the surface rough and dry, cracked or bleeding? Weather is often the culprit. Hot, rough pavement in summer can burn and irritate the dog’s paws, causing dog paw problems. Unless there is a burn, which will need an immediate Vet’s attention, wet a washcloth with cool water and place on the pad several times. The dry, cracked paw pad can then be soothed with a cream to soften the skin. Winter can be equally bad for your dog and cause issues for your dog’s paw pads. Very cold weather can cause frostbite and salt used to de-ice your walk is very irritating to the dog’s pads.

These are the most common dog foot problems. Others, such as fungal and bacteria infections will require a definite trip to your veterinarian. Then, there is the problem of allergies which plague many dogs and often goes overlooked. Chewing of the foot is a common sign of allergies in a dog. For the scoop on signs your dog has allergies, check out this page. Or to learn how to protect dog paws, head on over to this page.

7 Signs Your Dog Has Allergies Making Him Miserable

Signs your dog has allergies can be quite obvious if you are in tune with your dog. While some signs your dog is allergic can be mistaken for ordinary dog behavior, others are unmistakable as a dog allergy symptom.

Signs Your Dog Has Allergies

Sneezing – One or several sneezes are no big deal but repeated sneezing over a period of time, can indicate that your dog has allergies.
Itchy Ears – Often with allergies, dogs will dig at their ears or repeatedly shake their heads.
Red, Watery Eyes – When those soulful brown eyes become red and watery, it may indicate that your dog has allergies.
Itchy, Red or Irritated Skin – All signs your dog has allergies. This sometimes shows up around the ears or at the base of the tail. Irritated skin at the base of the tail may be a symptom of a flea allergy. Even if your dog does not appear to have fleas, there may still be a problem. One flea in a sensitive dog can cause much irritation. Several years ago, our Lab was continuously biting at the spot at the base of his tail. It seemed to literally be driving him crazy. We flea combed him and found no fleas. So, we took him to his Veterinarian to see if there was another issue causing the itchiness. Our Vet found no issues and flea combed him again, finding no fleas. Several days later, we again flea combed him and found one lone flea. Turns out, one tiny elusive flea was wreaking havoc with our poor dog. Once the flea was removed to his afterlife, we treated the skin with a steroid cream and within a few days, our guy was back to his normal, only occasionally itchy self.
Paw Biting/Chewing – If your dog begins to bite or chew obsessively at his paw, it could be a sign your dog has allergies.
Diarrhea/Vomiting – Although these symptoms can be a sign of many problems, some serious, bouts of diarrhea or vomiting may also be a symptom of a food allergy in a dog. Common food allergens are wheat, grains and even chicken. Limited ingredient dog foods may be the answer.
Licking – Similar to biting and chewing, whenever a dog compulsively licks at an area, it may indicate he has an allergic reaction.

What Causes Dog Allergies

Common causes of allergies in dogs are grain/wheat/soy/chicken – These common dog allergens typically manifest in skin issues, such as: itching, redness and irritation. They also can cause stomach upset with diarrhea and vomiting. These ingredients are commonly used in dog foods.
Household Products, such as: detergents, cleaners, air fresheners, candles and fabric softeners can be causes of dog allergies. Itchiness and skin irritations are common symptoms your dog may be experiencing an allergic reaction. Try switching to products that are less likely to produce an allergic reaction in your dog.
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Molds, Pollens and Grasses can cause a dog to be allergic. Just as people experience seasonal allergies to these culprits, dogs can suffer the same allergic misery, manifesting as: itchy, watery, red eyes, sneezing and runny nose.

Find Out How To Treat A Dog’s Allergies

How To Treat A Dog’s Allergies For A Happier, Healthier Dog

How To Treat A Dog’s Allergies

How to treat a dog’s allergies is usually a desperation question when your dog is deeply miserable with allergy symptoms. With the exception of a few allergies, the best treatment for your dog’s allergies is actually prevention. For seasonal allergies such as pollen and grasses, your veterinarian can test and provide medication to help relieve your dog’s allergy symptoms, such as: itchy skin, sneezing, red, itchy eyes and drippy nose.

Most allergies that plague your dog can be prevented by a careful evaluation of the products you use on your dog and in your household, as well as the dog food you feed your dog.

How To Treat A Dog’s Allergies By Preventing Them

- Try to clean your home with all natural products, free of as many artificial chemicals as possible.
- Use mild detergents, preferably hypoallergenic when you wash your dogs bedding and forgo the fabric softener.

- When bathing your dog, stick to gentle, hypoallergenic shampoos and do not use shampoo meant for humans.
  
  Pro Pet Works Hypoallergenic Organic Oatmeal and Aloe Cat and Dog Shampoo and Conditioner For Allergies and Pets With Sensitive Itchy dry Skin 17oz Burt’s Bees for Dogs Hypoallergenic Shampoo Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo, Vanilla & Almond, 16 Ounce

- Keep your home as dust-free as possible (I know, not easy when you have a dog.) I use a vacuum with a hepa filter built in. An air purifier is also a big help for your dog as well as the humans in the home.
  
  Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover, 465 sq. Ft, HPA300 Honeywell Bluetooth Smart True HEPA Allergen Remover Hamilton Beach TrueAir Allergen-Reducing Ultra Quiet Air Cleaner Purifier with Permanent HEPA Filter and Specialized Odor Reducing Filter for Pets (04384)

- Flea-Free – Keep those little buggers as far away from your dog as possible. Check out the natural solutions to keep the fleas at bay.

How To Protect Dog Paws In Winter For Soft Healthy Feet

Learning how to protect dog paws in Winter is a very important part of caring for your dog properly. Just as our skin can become dry and irritated during the cold weather, so can your dog’s paws. Without the right care, your dog’s tootsies can begin to crack and bleed. Dogs also have the added hazard of sidewalk salt to deal with, which can further wreak havoc to their tender paw pads. But, with a little knowledge and some tender loving attention, your dog can enjoy soft, supple paws and happy feet.

How To Protect Dog Paws In Winter – Washing and Softening Is The Answer

1. Do not leave your dog outside for extended periods during extremely cold weather. Some dogs may really enjoy being outside but we need to show the common sense they don’t seem to possess. My Lab would stay out all day if I let him, but during really cold weather, I play the bad guy and make him come in.
2. After being out, especially if walking on surfaces treated with salt, wash your dog’s feet to remove all the salt and chemicals. There are several options for doing this.

I started by washing my dog’s feet with a washcloth, dipped in warm water, repeating several times with each foot. If you start doing this when your dog is young, they don’t seem to mind.

Another option is to fill a small plastic pan with warm water and dip your dog’s feet, one at a time, in the warm water, then dry thoroughly. The final options and ones I am liking a lot are the Paw Wash or Dog Paw Cleaner. Both are great at cleaning dog paws.

The Dog Paw Wash is a self-contained dog paw washing station. It holds warm water, to which you can add a bit of an antibacterial wash solution if you like. You can place it beside the door your dog enters and clean his feet before he comes into the room. The dog’s foot is inserted into the opening. There is a cleaning pad in the bottom with soft, flexible fingers that cleans the dog’s feet.

Paw Boss Paw Wash for Dogs (With Paw Print Vinyl Skin)Dexas Petware MudBuster Portable Dog Paw Cleaner, Medium, Blue

The dog paw cleaner is a simpler version of a dog paw washing device. The cup holds warm water and the flexible fingers on the side will clean your dog’s paw as you slide it in.

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Actually, in any weather, these paw washers are great ideas. Just think, your dog comes in from outside, jumps on your bed and his paws that had just been running happily through dirt, mud and bodily droppings, are now depositing the same on your clean linens. Ewww, Yuck and Gross! Wash those paws!!!

How to protect dog paws in winter would not be complete without mentioning conditioning of your dog’s paws after washing. Applying a dog paw softening cream will help prevent dry, cracked dog paws. I also use these creams on my dog’s dry, cracked nose which is a real problem for him in winter.

Pet Head Oatmeal Natural Paw Butter 2oz 4-Legger Certified Organic Nose and Paw Pad Healing Balm for Dry Chapped Cracked Skin with Hemp Oil and Shea Butter – Made in USA – 1 each – 1.9 oz Dog Healing Balm for Paws and Snout – 2 oz Jar + .5 oz Stick – All Natural – Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil, Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil

The ultimate protection for your dog’s paws is a nice pair of doggie boots. Some dogs will wear them and some dogs seem to think they are definition of torture. If your dog will wear dog boots, they will provide great protection against the cold winter weather.

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Brush Your Dog’s Teeth to Promote Good Health

Brush your dog’s teeth daily to help keep your dog healthy. The health of your dog’s teeth is a strong contributing factor to your dog’s overall health picture. Poor dental health can lead to a multitude of illnesses. Learning how to brush your dog’s teeth properly will help to assure this doesn’t happen.

First gather the needed tools to brush your dog’s teeth:

Finger toothbrush. These are rubber with small nubs. They do not have a handle but fit over your finger and sometimes are more acceptable to your dog.
Dental sponges or pads are soft and pliable, come with a handle and are disposable. Again, some dogs accept these easier than a toothbrush. Gauze pads may also be used.
Pet Toothpaste. Do not use human toothpaste as they contain foaming agents that can cause vomiting in dogs. Pet toothpastes also contain enzymes that help to clean the dog’s teeth better. And the most important thing to your dog – they come in flavors appealing to him, such as beef and chicken.
Here is a great kit that includes a double head toothbrush, finger toothbrush and flavored dog toothpaste.

Now that you have the proper tools, let’s continue on to the steps in how to brush your dog’s teeth:

Begin by placing a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and allowing your dog to lick it off.
Next, apply another small dab of toothpaste to your finger and place the finger on the surface of one of your dog’s front teeth. Massage gently in a circular motion. Your dog will probably be licking at your finger as you do this but that’s okay; he’s getting used to having his tooth massaged.
After your dog is used to having something in his mouth, it is time to introduce him to the toothbrush. Place some toothpaste on the brush and allow him to lick it off. Next, reapply more toothpaste, place the head of the toothbrush in your dog’s mouth and allow him to taste and lick at it. Don’t actually try to brush his teeth at this point. This step is simply to allow him to get used to having the brush in his mouth. After he’s comfortable with having the brush in his mouth, you can try placing the brush against his tooth (whichever tooth is easier to get to and he is most comfortable with) and moving it gently in a circular motion. You may need to repeat these steps for several days, until your dog is completely comfortable with the ritual. With luck, he will begin to look forward to the ritual. Now you are ready to move on to the actual brushing process.
Wet the toothbrush or other item of your choice and apply a small dab of toothpaste to it. A dog normally has 42 teeth. Begin by brushing the outside surfaces (closest to the lip) of the fangs and the first large teeth in the back of the mouth on each side. These four teeth accumulate the most tartar. If these are the only teeth that you are able to brush, it will still be a major step toward improving your dog’s dental health.
Brush gently in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line. Spend at least five seconds on each tooth. Finish the fangs first, then proceed to the back teeth. Once the dog and you are comfortable with brushing the fangs and back teeth, you can expand your efforts to include the outer surfaces of the other teeth.
Praise your dog often during and after the brushing. A treat following the process will go a long way towards turning this ritual into a much anticipated event.

Sometimes you will notice a small amount of blood when brushing your dog’s teeth. Lighten up on the pressure somewhat but do not stop the brushing. Your dog’s gums and mouth will only continue to get healthier with repeated brushings.

Learning how to brush your dog’s teeth requires some patience on your part but it is well worth the effort. With practice, you will be able to complete the brushing process within a couple minutes. Keep your focus on the gum line since this area accumulates the most plaque and tartar.

Make brushing your dog’s teeth a daily ritual. He will most likely look forward to it and especially spending that extra bonding time with you. And the practice will reward you with better health for your dog.

Make Your Own Dog First Aid Kit For Emergencies

If you are more of a do-it-yourself type person you can make your own dog first aid kit. Easy to do with supplies readily available.

Items Needed To Make Your Own Dog First Aid Kit:

Important Phone Numbers:

Your Veterinarian
Emergency Vet or Clinic
Poison Control

Supplies For Your Dog First Aid Kit

- Soft Sided Insulated Cooler (six pack size) or plastic container
- Small Magnifying Glass
- Scissors with Rounded Ends
- Tweezers
- Latex Gloves
- Rectal Thermometer
- Syringes (various sizes)
- Cloth & Paper Towels
- Penlight
- Eyedropper
- Penlight
- Cotton Balls & Swabs
- Lubricant (such as Vaseline)
- Slip Leash
- Styptic Powder
- Muzzle or Roll of Gauze
- Large Towel or Blanket (for stretcher)
- Another Blanket or Towel (for warmth)
- Disinfectant Such As Isopropyl Alcohol
- Heat & Cold Packs Wrapped in Towel

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Medications For Your Dog First Aid Kit

Buffered Aspirin
Saline Solution (for flushing eyes and cleaning wounds))
Antihistamine (for stings, swelling and itching)
Antibiotic Ointment or Cream
Cortisone Cream or Spray
Hydrogen Peroxide (can be used to make dog vomit when mixed with water)
Antidiarrheal Liquid
Wound Disinfectant (such as Betadine)
Ear Cleaning Solution
Karo Syrup (to help raise the sugar level)
Gatorade or Pedialyte (for rehydration)

Bandaging

Gauze (rolls & square pads)
White First Aid Tape
Elastic Bandage

You may find that there is not enough room in the six pack size cooler for all these items. The medications,smaller supplies and bandages can be stored in this container. Then, place this container into a larger cooler or small box.

It requires a little effort to make your own dog first aid kit, but you will have the peace of mind in knowing that you’ll be prepared to help your dog in an emergency.

Make Your Own Dog First Aid Kit (Mini Size)

Your first aid kit for your dog will help you to be prepared should an emergency arise with your four-legged family member. However, there will be times when you are away from your home or car without access to your main first aid kit. When on a hike or walk, particularly in woodsy or hilly areas, it’s easy to encounter bees ar sharp objects. A smaller basic version of your first aid kit for dogs will really come in handy.

Small zippered pouch or bag, preferably one that attaches to your belt (fanny pack) or fits easily into your backpack.
Pair of disposable gloves
Several square and small roll of gauze bandage. make-your-own-dog-first-aid-kit
White first aid tape.
Small scissors
Tweezers
Small bottle with alcohol
Small container of wound disinfectant and tube of antibiotic cream
Antihistamine (such as benadryl) for bee stings

All these items will be much smaller versions of those in your regular dog first aid kit. They are meant simply to be used when you don’t have easy access to your larger kit. When back at your home or car, you will probably need to utilize some of the other items in your large first aid kit. Of course, if the injury is serious, take your dog to the Vet immediately!

First Aid Kit For Dogs-Be Prepared For Any Emergency

A First Aid Kit for dogs should be in every family’s home that includes a dog as a member of their family. Just as children get into mishaps that require antiseptic and bandages, so do your four legged family members.

Not so long ago, we would have settled for human first aid supplies but as the pet industry has grown, we have become aware of a pet’s sometimes unique needs.

A First Aid Kit For Dogs Is A Necessity

The impact of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters since has made dog owning families more aware of the need for a dog first aid kit. Many dogs needed to suddenly be evacuated to areas that had no immediate access to veterinarian care. And, even once they returned home, professional medical care was not readily available.

Most mishaps are usually minor in nature such as cuts, bee stings or perhaps cutting a nail a bit too close. Rather than rushing about trying to gather the necessary supplies when this type of event happens, it is so much better to be prepared. First aid kits for dogs are available for purchase from some pet supply stores. Or, with a little effort, you can make your own dog first aid kit.

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Ideally, you would have two first aid kits for your dog. One to keep at home, in a convenient place, such as under a bathroom cabinet or in a cabinet in your laundry or utility room. It is important to make sure all members of your family know where your first aid kit is kept. The second kit should be kept in your vehicle for those mishaps that occur when your dog is on an outing with you, such as a dog park or on a hike. Actually, a third scaled down version of the kit is also recommended. Place a few emergency items in this mini first aid kit.

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A little pre-planning on your part will go a long way in helping to keep your four legged family member safe and healthy. And your own first aid kit for dogs will contribute to that greatly.

Ask-a-Veterinarian

Ask Your Dog Question Now.

If you have questions about a dog health issue use this link to get advise directly from a real Veterinarian. When you need to talk to a vet help is just a click away. A dog health problem due to illness or injury can happen anytime. Through the JustAnswer program veterinarians are available for online consultation 24/7/365.

You can get an answer to your dog health problem fast. In as little as a few minutes you can have the information you need from a veterinarian. You don’t have to wait until your Vet’s office opens.

Why pay for an expensive office visit? You can get the advise you need for far less than you would have to pay if you go to your vet’s office. There is no need to pay for office and equipment overhead if you just need to have a question answered or need good advise about a dog health problem and unlike an office visit, you don’t pay unless you accept the answer.

Ask a Veterinarian Your Health Question

Worried About Your Dog? Has your beloved friend suddenly developed worrisome symptoms? Is your Vet closed or maybe you’ve recently moved to a new area and not obtained a Vet yet?

We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online dog health advise from certified Veterinarians.

You describe your dog’s health problem or ask your question and they reply with expert advise. The fee is very reasonable (far less than you would pay at the Vet Clinic). You will usually receive an answer in less than an hour, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.

Of course, if your dog is having a real emergency, either illness or accident, call your local emergency Vet. or any regular Veterinary office immediately!

“$1,000 spent at his vet, and I finally get the correct diagnosis from Nancy Holmes for $15”

Carol
Cedar Hill, MO

Dog Health