Hi,

While frolicking in the the snow yesterday, my BC puppy got a cut pad (about 1 1/2cm long). Could this have been caused by snow 'balling' up in between his toes, or more likely from a hidden nasty sharp thing?

I've never been aware of a dog cutting it's paw due to snow balling (and I've had Springers or Cockers most of my life) - more likely due to hidden sharp thing.....

My Lab has cut his pads open about 4 times in total! Each time we were unsure as to why, but one time we were pretty sure it was because he ran through a field full of flints!

Pads are tough old things and seem to heal well, as mine too had a bad cut about 1½ cm long and you could see the red flesh underneath, I thought I'd have to take him to have it stitched up, so I called the vets who said they probably would leave it, just keep it clean and keep an eye on it! It was quite roar and kept bleeding occassionally for a few days, but it did soon heal and I'd never know which pad it was now!

Snow won't do it and it's unlikely that ice would either. I've just spent all day out with mine in snow and frozen standing water and shes been running and jumping fences whilst carrying heavy loads during that time with no ill effects. Far more likely is "Buried Treasure" frozen into the snow. Glass, tin can, even a sharp stone which because it was frozen in could not be pushed out of the way or stamped into the ground.

Regards, John

PS. I always bath any cuts in weak salt water, night and morning, for 2 or 3 days.

Thank you all for your help, I have been bathing his cut and looks like it is clearing up a bit :) Luckily the snow has almost gone ....