help - cut on baileys foot

[Baileysmom]

:cry: I just noticed Bailey licking like crazy on her front paw and there is a cut on it! Its about an inch long kind of jagged like an arrow shape. its not bleeding right now. My question is does she need to go to the vet for it or jsut watch it at home for infection, etc......... and should it be treated and covered or should we let her lick it?
Thanks so much for your help!

[Lokipups]

Is it the pad of the foot, the leather?

[Baileysmom]

I forgot to mention, the cut is not on the pads or directly where she walks, its jsut above that area before the upper pad on her "forearm" I guess you call it :oops:

[Lokipups]

Did she rip the dewclaw, or just a cut below it? Sometimes if the dewclaw gets long it'll catch on the leg and accidentally cut it open.

[AllAmericanPUP]

a trip to the vet is usually a waste of time cause they'll tell ya there is nothing they can do for a foot cut..

just keep an eye on her, and if she licks it too much then bandage it, and just make sure it doesnt get infected..

[Lokipups]

Yup, that's pretty much right, save your money :-? . Douse it with a little peroxide to clean it out if it's not deep and it's not bleeding hard, and just keep an eye on it for swelling. Don't worry about her licking off peroxide, it's inert and harmless.

[Baileysmom]

Thanks so much - that helps alot :wink: We werent too sure if the licking would be good for it or if it will prevent it from healing or something :oops:
it doesnt seem to be the dew claw or anything, jsut a cut in the skin - it looks fairly deep but isnt bleeding.

[drjeffrock]

You could try soaking the foot/cut in a solution of warm (not hot) water with Epsom Salt. It works well. Feel better Bailey!

[AllAmericanPUP]

licking is ok as long as the dog doesn't lick too much.
if the dog licks it excessively(sp???) then it will prevent it from healing.
but if the dog jus licks it a little bit then it won't hurt it, it will help it.

[rotten_two]

whew! <wipes sweat from brow> i thought drjeff was bout to tell ya to put nuskin on it!

i agree with everyone else -- just keep an eye on it and don't let her lick excessively. hopefully it will heal with no problems :)

[nadooshkinz]

ouch! hope bailey feels better.. about the licking, my friend's dog once licked her wound so much it got seriously infected, so perhaps wrapping a bandage around for a few days so she cant get to it..

[boosiebutt]

if you do decide to wrap, maybe you could apply a little bit of Neosporin + Pain (<- I think that's what it's called...) That way maybe any little irratation or itching that's drawing Bailey's attention for a lick will be numbed out, and you'll get some anti-bac benefits. I don't think I'd do it without the wrap, since I don't know what ingesting would do...