My year old bitch has a problem with cracked pads.  They have always been like this but since we have up the exercise she can do in the last few months, I am noticing not only are they getting worse but she holds her feet up sometimes like her feet are sore.  No blood or anything but some of the cracks are really big.  Checked my other dogs feet and they are all smooth, perfect pads.
We walk off-road and hardly ever on paths/pavements so grassy ground only really.
Thanks in advance for any light on this.

you could try shaws paw wax. Have you been walking pup on hot pavements? I know you said other dogs are fine but thier pads are probably more leathery thats presuming they're older.

Her feet, pads will be sore if the cracks are deep, rather like if you were to have deeply cracked heels, only worse I imagine.
I was given the advice once to use zinc & castor oil cream or vaseline on cracked pads and to add fish oil to their diet. Sorry no other suggestions, good luck.

She gets this fungal, itchy skin thing that the vet has never really been able to get to the bottom of.  I wonder if it's conected?  She usually gets Maleseb shampoo which clears it up after a couple of washes and an older breeder told me to use listerine as a final rinse which I did and it also cleared it up without the chemicals.  That is flairing up atm too.  I think I will take a trip to the vet but I will rub in some vaseline. 
Thanks

Cracar. One of ours boys has suffered from itchy skin and used Maleseb for a long time, never very keen on it as it stripped his coat of any oil and I remember reading somewhere gloves should be worn when using. Asked on here for an alternative and someone suggested Dermadine, which is less expensive, can be purchased without a perscription, less harsh and has been just as good.

Thanks Lacy.  I'm afraid this girl has turned into another 'pet' with this condition and what it's done to her coat.  She should have long flowing locks but instead is clipped short and kept that way.  Much easier to manage, I suppose but she can't be shown which is a pity as she would be fabulous.  I'm hoping to get rid of and grow her coat back out but it's not looking hopeful.  I have used the listerine since the breeder helped me as I too hate what Maleseb did to my hands never mind her coat/skin!!

> use listerine as a final rinse

Do you dilute the listerine cracar? One of ours has intermittent itchy feet and has them treated with malaseb from time to time.

No, I don't.  I use it neat and leave it on for 10/20 mins then rinse off with water.  Got to be listerine original(for some reason the new ones don't work as good).

> Got to be listerine original

That's a funny thing - not that many places stock the original Listerine these days. I know this because my OH likes the original & I can't always get it for him. Oh well, must try harder as they say.

You'll get it in Wilkinsons.  That shop has just opened in our town centre and it was like a god send!!

Hi

There's a site that sells all herbal stuff we use it on our horses and pretty much everything from a cut a kick, cracked heels,sweet itch, a scar it's fantastic stuff honestly I wouldn't be without it in my medicine cupboard the ointment is camrosa and I can't recommend it highly enough, my daughter has excema and in frustration dabbed a bit on the crease of her arm which was very thickened and driving her mad, it has never come back yet and that was about four years ago.

The people will happily discuss you're plight with you it is used on all sorts of animals dogs pigs horses and a whole lot more sorry haven't got their website to hand but just google it it is a comprehensive site.

I too have camrosa in the cupboard. We used it years ago, primarily on the horses, rain scald, saddle sores, cracked frogs etc and on the yard dogs with their nicks and scrapes from foraging in the brambles...haven't had to use it on my dogs yet! ;-)
Their website is good and the literature they send is very thorough - it has a whole host of uses and can be used on dogs, pigs, goats .....

http://www.camrosa.co.uk/

Snap! julie-t :-D

Wonder whether its worth trying Yumega too?  Thats good for skin related problems.

Sorry didnt understand do you use listerene on her pads ? Our sainsburys sells it but noticed it is twice as expensive as the others but imo the better one

> Dermadine

I Googled this as I'd never heard of it. Looked on their site and thought it sounded worth a go. Our broadband failed halfway through - a common problem round here :-( so I emailed them to see if they'd received my order. They had all the details except for my credit card, so I put that in and they sent the shampoo the same day, I got it the next day! How's that for service! It was really well packaged too. Don't know if the shampoo is any good yet but full marks for trying. 

Is it the camrosa you got? If so the shampoo is good and you defo need the remover if it gets in the coat or you use it for cuts etc

> Is it the camrosa you got?

No, I got the Dermadine. I thought it might help one of mine who chews his feet and could be an alternative to Malaseb.

I do have some Camrosa ointment in the fridge though, and have used the shampoo before. I think it is useful for sensitive skins.

> You'll get it in Wilkinsons.

There's a Wilkos nearby so I will look in next time I'm over that way and stock up on Listerine. By hook or by crook, one of these days our boy will stop chewing his feet!