My daughter and I were playing ball with the dog, daughter threw ball in a bush, dog jumped in bush to retrieve the ball, we didn't notice immediately that he was hurt but after we decided we couldn't find the ball we decided to go home and he limped, we looked at him and it's not his pad it's the pad on the back of his leg??  It is torn and was bleeding, he did struggle a bit to walk home, was limping, since home he's had a drink and his dinner, laid licking his wound and is freely walking outside, doesn't appear to be in distress, although limping.  Dicksy has never hurt himself before and I don't know how to treat him?  vets tomorrow? salt water bathing?  rest??  Any advice gratefully taken. x

Yes - I'd bathe in salt water. Try to see that there is nothing in the pad and that it looks clean. See how it is in the morning - unless it is a very bad cut, I'd leave it for a day or two if he doesn't seem too distressed with it. Bathe it every time that he goes out, to keep it clean. I find dipping the entire paw in water works :) Obviously take him to the vets if you're not happy - but usually these things heal up pretty well by themselves :)

Daisy

(I've almost totally rewritten this - just had a glass of champers and some wine - eyes must be a bit squiffy :D :D )

thanks Daisy, having had Dicksy for 4 years and Biscuit for only 4 months, Dicksy never had an injury in his life only ever been to the vets for his jabs.  My daughter feels really bad and I'm now off to pop his whole foot into a bowl of salt water.  For a few minutes I assume, he's normally a very calm dog so I doubt he'll object too much!  x

I usually have the water a bit warm :) Bramble was always cutting his paws as he charged around a lot :)

Daisy

I'm becoming an expert on cut paws :rolleyes:

Bathing with salt water is definitely the way to go.  Although, Shay sustained a cut paw recently that didn't seem too serious to begin with but has been very slow to heal and has required antibiotics.  Keep it clean and keep a careful eye on it for a few days and if there is no improvement, a quick trip to the vet might be in order :)

I've bathed it in warm salt water once and he's now lying in his bed asleep, Amy is feeling guilty, Alex came home to see the poor wounded soldier!  Sorry don't know what it's called but you know the bit at the back of the foot part way up the leg, that's the bit that is cut, there is a bit hanging off, I'm assuming that will just die and fall off?? I daren't touch it, I put his foot in a bowl of salt water and just sat with him stroking him while it soaked and then tipped the water down his leg after a few minutes, I'm assuming I'm doing right??

That's the 'stop pad', Lesley. And yes, you're doing the right thing. Bathe it in salted water (about a teaspoon of salt to a pint of water) then leave it alone.