Hi

I'm having a bit of a problem, I think.

Luna has cracks in her pads (is that what they are called?). Its on all four paws. I'm putting som creme specifik for paws on, but it doesn't seem to help.

Does any of you have another suggestion? I'm already putting vaseline on her nose, because this was very dry as well.

Jeanette

Put paw wax on feet before going out/or if you cant get that use vaseline cant think of anything else.

Hi

I'm using paw wax every night. But I don't put it on until we are home and going to bed. But I'll try putting it on, just before we go on our next walk.

Thanks

Jeanette

It could be just reaction to saltr or something you wash the foor with, but I remeber reading that cracked skin was a symptom of one of the Thyroid diseases (can't remeber which).  As you say her nose has also been dry, how is the resto of her skin and coat.

Does she have thinning coat on the flanks (this is what my freinds dobes had when they had under active thryroid).  what is her weight like?  Energy levels?

Hi

She has a beautiful soft shiny coat. There is no sign, that she should be ill. Its full speed ahead from the time she wakes up till she goes to bed.

She isn't to thin or to fat. She weighs 23.5 kilograms and she is about 52 cm tall from floor to shoulder.

It can't be salt, because they haven't started spreading salt yet. Bella, Lunas playmate, a german shepherd has soft pads.

I've tried with paw wax every night just before we go to bed, so it can "work" over night. But it doesn't seem to help. I'm going to try vaseline to see, if that helps, else I'll contact my vet.

Thanks

Jeanette

Hi again

I've contacted my vet, and she says, that she think, Lunas pads and nose are dry, because there isn't enough oil in her food. But I don't understand that. Luna has a beautiful, soft and shiny coat. Would she have that, if she lacked oil?

I thought about putting some oil in her food, but the vet told me, that normal oil, that I use for my dinner, wasn't enough. It should be some special oil, and of course its price is a lot different from the vegetable oil I use!

Should I change food brand, or try giving her some oil?

I know you all are going to scream, when I write, what I feed her, but here in Denmark, we donn't have as many choices as you apparently have in England, America and so on.

In Denmark, I have the choice between Hills Science Plan, Hills Natures Best, Eukanuba, Pro Plan and Royal Canin. And then all the cheap brands from the supermarket, which I would NEVER buy!

I'm feeding her Eukanuba Puppy/Junior Large Breed.
If any of you should recommend a food brand from the brands mentioned up above, what would you choose?

Jeanette

Pro-plan or Royal Canin are the best out of the others and give her primrose oil you can get them from boots/or some food stores/health shop give her one aday.also can you buy a cream for nappy rash Sudacrem (i think that is how you spell it)

Hi
This Primrose oil you mention, is it in capsules? I'll see if I can find it somewhere.

I've been told, that Royal Canin has been bought by Whiskas. And I wouldn't even buy Whiskas for my cats

Thanks for the advice on the oil and the creme though!

Jeanette

I would try Fish Body Oil found in capsule form 1000mg per day, it contains EFAs and is high in Omega 3s for your dog's pads.  Dry nose and pads can be symptoms of other things but if your vet is aware and is not testing her for anything in particular then I would not worry at the mo.  I would think coating the pads in vaseline is your best option or try boots when out on icy ground so prevent any deeper cracks and cuts.

Hi

So you wouldn't change her food?
I'm thinking about changing brand, but if you think a fish oil capsule would be enough, then that would be better.
But on the other hand, if i'm going to continue putting paw wax, aloe vera gel and other cremes on her nose and paws, then it would probablely be easier and a bit cheaper to just change brand.

I can always change back again, if it turns out, that it isn't the food, that makes her nose and pads dry.

Or what do you think. I hope you understand med, its a little difficult having to write in english.

Jeanette

You would have to think about why you are changing the food and then read the label to ascertain whether the oil that is in the new food is a) appropriate b) bio-available c) of sufficient quantity.

It is difficult to ascertain the degree of some conditions via remote :D

As in all things I would not alter too many variables at once.

Since there is all ready omega in the food I would be leary in adding more to her food. I had mine on Eukanuba and they did do very well, so did my bitch and pups. I have switched to Nutro because I find the ingredients better and it's cheaper then the Eukanuba. In the end it is what works best for your dog since all animals are different.

Do you wash her feet off after coming in from outside? I no the snow (if you have snow there) can cause dogs pads to be dry and crack.

You could try a moisturizer with aloe in it, its actually for horse hoves and dog pads. I heard this works very well. :)  Furnam Aloe vera veternary cream for minor cuts and abrasions on dogs and horses, also works for cracked heals. Another one is Dionne Aloe vera cream for use on horses and dogs, suppose to be ideal condtioner for dogs pads.

I read this on one of the other forums I'm on and it's suppose to work pretty well, just thought I would pass on the info :)

Hi

We don't have snow yet. They only started salting the paths yesterday. Luna was fed Nutro Choice where I bought her, and I continued with it for a long time, but the "pills" were to small (at least in the puppy food), she wasn't chewing at all, she just sucked it in and swallowed. And I seem to remember she had more poo's than now

Eukanuba is a bit larger, and she has to chew.

I really don't want to change the food, because her coat is SO soft and shiny, but if she is having constant problems with her pads and nose, then its not worth it. She really doesn't like  me putting creams on, I don't know if it hurts or she is just irritated.

I'm considering buying shoes/socks for her, but don't really have that kind of money at the present time. Of course I'm gonna end up buying sóme, but untill now, i've only seen them one place and they were VERY expensive!

Jeanette

What about just adding a teaspoon of olive oil to her diet?

Hi
Yes I thought about that, but the vet said that wouldn't be good enough.
Luna is my first dog and i'm probablely listening to much to my vet, but I don't know much better :-)

The reason I'm in such a rush, is that they have begun salting the roads and paths, and we can't really avoid walking on these. Would the olive oil show results pretty quick?

Maybe I should buy some shoes for her in the meantime?

Jeanette

Hi Jeanette, have you tried Padaid? It comes in two forms, one to help heal cracked pads and another to help stop cracking once the pads have settled. It isn't that easy to get hold of, but if you know anyone with racing greyhounds they may have some.

Hi

No I haven't tried Padaid. I'll try searching for it on Google, maybe I can find it. I don't think we have that many dograces here in Denmark though.

My nabour has also recommended cod liver oil. So I think i'm going to buy it. And give it a week or two before changing her food.

Thanks everybody.

Jeanette

Be careful if your food already contains Vit A as Cod Liver Oil contains Vit A and D both of which are fat soluble and the former is toxic to the liver in high doses; one of the reasons it is better to feed FBO IMHO.  You cannot OD on those.

Hi

Well the food contains both Vit A and D, so I guess Cod liver oil is out of the question.
Hmm, I'm thinking that it's probablely better to change her food instead of keep adding things to what she eats now!
Thanks for the tip about the vitamins! I hadn't thought about that.
Jeanette

The good thing about Omega 3s is that you can't OD on them! :D

Hi
Omega 3 i s that in liquid form or capsules?

Jeanette

Capsules available from any supermarket or pharmacy.  1000mg is fine given daily.

Okay.
Will she swallow that - just like that?
Omega 3 is pretty expensive here in Denmark. Could I use some of the cheap brands of fishoil capsules?

Thanks

Jeanette

Dogs normally love FBO capsules, you can give as is or pierce with a pin and squeeze over food.  Just check that the FBO capsules contain Omega 3;

Hi
Okay I'll try that.
And even if I decide to change food brand, fish oil can never do anything but good, right?

Jeanette

Read this

http://b-naturals.com/Dec2001.php?PHPSESSID=fc7df8f489cd1e0ed6c032dced8a2919

Although you can get Omega 3s from Flaxseed oil it MAY give SOME dogs the itchies.

Hi

Thanks, that was interesting.

I don't know if I can get flaxseed or salmonoil, so I'll try with normal fishoil containing Omega 3

Jeanette

Hi Bellaluna, I have a purebred German Shepard, and within the last 5 months his paw pads are thinning. Also he now has where there is no pad very small, but enough where it bleeds! I have taken him to the vet and they say allergies, and want to give him a steroid shoot. He does have some allergies, and the shot helped that but not the feet. His coat was bad and flaky, my fault I believe the dog food (bad). I did switch to Iams Lamb Meal and Rice and boy what a difference after 3 weeks, his coat feels great again and is not flaking. I also asked the vet about some vitamins for dry skin, and the sold me so Vitamins with the omega fatty acids, and I think that helps, but his feet are still bad. I was reading some of the back messages, did you have any luck with your dogs feet getting better? Thank you

Hi Laurie

No, I haven't found anything, but I've been suggested hoof-fat for horses hoofs. Don't know what its called in english, sorry.

I'm also writing in a danish forum, and a lady there told me, she had a friend, who had a (still with me :-)?) pug, who had similar problems with it pads. She tried the hoof fat, and it worked within a couple of days. Maybe its worth a try, I'm going to try it, as soon as I have the money to buy it!

Lunas pads aren't as bad, as your dog's. She isn't bleeding or thinning out, thankfully. If I have to be honest, she doesn't seem bothered at all, apparently its just me being a hen-mom!

If you try this before me, please write, and I'll do the same.

Good luck

Jeanette

Hi Laurie

Now I have tried this hoof fat. And it works!! I put some on her pads, when I went to bed wednesday, and then every night since then. And her pads are really soft now. I will keep at it, untill the cracks are completely gone. But its getting there. Just thought I would let you know

Jeanette