My dog has suddenly developed sore paws after a normal bike ride - What has happened?
Lilly and her owner stopped by the clinic today. The owner was clearly concerned and told us the following:
Lilly usually rides her bike daily and has never had sores on her paws before. Yesterday we rode on asphalt as usual – and Lilly could barely walk when she got up this morning.
The thickened skin under the paw was torn – and we found a blister along the edge of one of the pads. It was a burn.
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Burns on paws
Burns on sore dog paws can be a painful and dangerous experience for our four-legged friends. Dogs and cats are curious creatures – and sometimes they can come into contact with hot surfaces, hot rocks or even chemicals that can cause serious burns to their paws. These injuries can be very painful and lead to inflammation, blisters or even infections.
It is important for pet owners to be aware of potential fire hazards in the home or outdoor environment and take the necessary precautions to protect their pets. This includes keeping them away from open flames, hot surfaces or hazardous chemicals. If an animal has suffered burns on its paws, veterinary help should be sought immediately to treat the wounds and relieve their pain.
Sore dog paws? Use ointment and paw socks
When you discover sore dog paws, it is important to act quickly to relieve the pain and promote healing. One effective measure is to use a specialized ointment made for treating burns and injuries to animal paws. The ointment can be gently applied to the affected areas to soothe the skin, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration. In addition, you may want to protect the burned paws with paw socks. Paw socks act as a barrier between the paws and the ground – and they provide extra cushioning and protection. This helps prevent further irritation and infection.
Lilly's pain was treated with soothing (honey) products, paw ointment and painkillers. She also received paw socks that she will not only wear now – but also later when she goes out to run on the asphalt again.
The 5-second rule
The 5-second rule is a good one to follow to determine if the asphalt is too hot for your dog. You hold the back of your hand against the ground and count to 5. If you get burned within 5 seconds, the asphalt is too hot for your dog – and you could end up with sore dog paws – and you should wait until the evening for the bike ride.
Do not delay treatment
Do you suspect that your pet has sore paws? Contact us – and we will help with good advice and the right treatment.
