Marley keeps tearing paw pads
We live in the city, so obviously we are on cement and asphalt a lot. We try to keep her activity limited on the cement, but I think he paws are so sensitive that it's just going to happen. Is there anything we can add to her diet that can make her paw pads stronger/less susceptible to tears? |
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| My guess is either Marley just has thin pads/tender feet, or something about her activity or paw structure when in contact w/ the ground makes her more prone to pad injury. I know with horses there is a huge variation in hoof wear. A horse who is active, and either has slow growing hooves (they wear off faster than they can regrow) or soft hooves, runs into a lot of trouble on abrasive surfaces. My last horse Pete would wear his down faster than LeAnne's horse. They would be trimmed the same time, go on the same rides and surfaces, but Pete would be all worn down and tenderfooted if we did too much. We weren't competing or anything, so we totally had the option of rest and time off - otherwise he would have needed to be shod. And when we are out w/ the dogs carting in the fall/spring, we need to monitor pads closely. They can wear them down smooth and even get raw if too much surface is abraded off. (Like us humans if you get a pedi and too much surface/callous is pared off). Part is getting the foot tough and getting good callous on the pads, but also to monitor activity that will wear it off faster than it can regrow. That's why many sled dogs wear boots part of the time - to slow pad wear on long runs. They will burn off their pads  My thought is the pavement is just too abrasive for her. I never ever let my dogs play, race, rough house on any kind of pavement or even rough surfaces. I know you guys do the beach too - sand is just as bad as many paved surfaces. I don't know of any dietary or other way to help, besides limiting physical environment. Time to get out of the darn city! Also - perhaps Judi will chime in. Crazy Harry has had several pad burnouts, but his is most likely d/t his crazy behavior...  |
| Unfortunately, it's impossible for us to limit time on concrete. If we did that she just wouldn't get walked and would have to stay in our small yard. There aren't any grass dog parks in our city, they are all asphalt. We go to the suburbs for some greenery on the weekends, but I just feel awful keeping her cooped up during the week. I read that zinc supplements should help with her paw so I'll be bugging our vet about that! |
| you might want to ask about vitamin e supplements. I add this to my horse feed as it is supposed to be an enhancer for hair, coat and hooves. I am not sure if they make a platinum performance for dogs but that is the other supplement I use in the summer which makes the horses hoof harder. With all the dry weather they would typically crack and break. you could call the company and see if there is a dog form of this. It works great and my farrier said that they are the best feet he has seen this year. of course boots are your other option and I use them when we do sleding. |
| Asphalt dog parks? How horrible. No wonder her poor feet get ripped up. |
| Ouch, I'm so sorry Marley that must really hurt How about some fashionable doggy booties? |
| Will she wear boots? I know several of the forum members use booties for their sheepies...and perhaps rubbing her paw pads with a little Bag Balm once or twice a day? I also had this spray on sutff once called Pad Protector. I will look for it when I get home. It was a spray I used in the winter and you spray it on the pads and it forms a protective coating so to speak....I'll look at what it is exactly wehn I get home. |
| She wears boots in the winter now because the salt just tears her feet apart. She hates them, but what are ya gonna do. She's not allowed to run at the dog park anymore, but we can't give up walks! I will look into Vitamin e supplements, thanks! |
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