Hi
Please can anyone help - I mentioned awhile ago that my dog's front nails were getting pretty worn. I thought it was temporary due to a possible overclipping. However, there are 2 on each front paw that are really bad now - i.e. seem to be past the quick and pads starting to roughen. Looking at and listening to his gait he seems to be making a very subtle brushing of the front paws against the path. It is hardly noticeable which is why I've not picked it up. We walk on a mix of grass and tow path [dirt track] and very little road.
The vet has said nothing can be done and it is pointless to use the Dog Boots. I don't live near enough to a pool to take him there for his morning/eve walks but clearly I have to do something about his gait.

Would a harness work by lifting his front legs up a bit or is there an easier solution???

thanks very much
cissy

Hi, what a worry for you. Sorry I haven't any experience of this but wondered why the vet dismissed the boots so quickly? Also, is he at all overweight as this could make the problem worse possibly?

Hi - he is muscly for a corgi - I am really conscious of their tendency to obesity so he gets good walks and no sign of fatness. I am not really keen to cut the walks down since our garden is not huge and the walks are good for our bonding and dog socialising. His corgi body shape means he weighs more at the front so I initially thought that was the reason he was wearing those nails down.
The vet dismissed the boots as she said he would just spend the whole time trying to get them off and they would not help his gait- they were selling the ones that look like vinyl sneakers but didn't have his size anyway. I have thought of swims but I can't get him to a pool for his 30 min morning walk, would be in traffic jam for 1 hour etc etc.
I am happy to try boots [they wouldn't be the first foreign object he has hated] - is there is a brand that you could recommend? We are on hols next week so it could be a good chance to try them out and get him used to them.
thanks
cissy

Is it causing him serious problems? If not I think I'd be grateful that his nails were so trim and I didn't have to fight with him to cut them - a lot of dogs who do serious road walking never need their nails trimmed.

You could also start walking him on softer surfaces.

I know the rough pads are probably a concern, but I've heard a lot of stuff recommended for that - particularly 'bag balm'. I have no idea of how or where to get this or if it's only a US item, but a lot of whippet lure coursers use it on their dogs' pads.

Wendy

Hi Cissy

I have the same problem with my dogs hind legs because he has DM. The middle two nails on each paw are worn down while the outside ones are normal. I've seen blood on the floor sometimes and the nails have been bleeding from the quick. It must be sore :(
My dog doesn't do much walking these days - he can't cope with it.
I disagree with the vets comments about the boots but some are just designed to protect in case of a minor injury and aren't built to last for walking etc.. so they'll wear out quickly.
I think it's a great idea to help support his front end on a harness as long as it's comfy and won't chafe him :)
Lara x

It's probably a very stupid idea, but could you paint varnish or something similar on his nails where they get worn? It might slow down the wearing process.

Just a thought - quite happy to be laughed out of court!
:)

JG we are worryingly similar!! I thought about nail varnish myself but didn't think it would last long enough - then you get the dilemma of what colour would suit him LOL [not that any of his accessories match him].
I hate wearing nail polish myself - too busy!
Did another champdogs search I found Sam's recommendation for boots on Countrymun and there are some flexible looking ones that might be ok. Many boots are not ideal for corgis as they are taller than his legs but will give these a try. I will combine with a padded harness [hopefully an LX one from Ruffrider] - might be easier to control him too.

Lara - I found your post about your poor dog. I am about to see some blood any time now. There is a lot of hair missing from around the nails too, so even less protection for the paws.

WEndy - will also look for balm - I always thought they only made stuff for pampered/fashion accessory dogs which would negate the process of toughening paws so never looked for it.

thanks everyone

I wasn't think nail varnish so much as yacht varnish or something more along those lines....something hardwearing from B&Q or somewhere.....(less girly!)
:)

sigh - it turns out he won't need it as he hurt his back leg yesterday when I was out of the house for 2 hours and was in immense pain :(. I have no idea what he did to it but the vet said it was probably a result of a bump. As he normally settles when I am out I really don't know what happened but my guilt levels are in orbit and I hardly slept.
He has been on his feet this morning and going back to vet tonight to check all ligaments so I am crossing fingers and paws.
cissy

Hi, sorry to hear about his bump hope he's better soon. Perhaps when he's up for walking again you could exersise him on grass - drive or very short walk to where you can let himn be on a softer surface. I know some horses have very soft flaky feet which is a nightmare as they wear down too quickly and are hard to keep shoes on. There is a food supplement you can give them which contains kerotene - perhaps there is something simaliar for dogs? Also there is a product called cornucresin that you rub into the "quick" of horses hooves to help produce strong horn. It stinks but might be worth a try?? !

thanks - will look for the horse rub as that sounds least intrusive. We've included more grass in the walks for awhile now so I'm desperate for the things to hurry up and grow back - there is one that just doesn't seem to want to improve :(.
cissy