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Does anyone have experience with a recurring dog injury on top of a paw?

I have a 3 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We moved to Austin in March 2015 and ever since then he has been getting a cut on top of his right paw (it looks like someone poked him with something and is almost between the toes, but mostly on top -- nothing on the bottom of his paw). It gets red and swells at the site but does not bleed. This has happened 5-6 times since we moved here. He has gotten this cut in the same place and it always looks the same, but it does not seem to matter what time of day, where he is (in the house or in town), etc. He is acting normal, except that he wants to lick it of course. No yelping when I touch the area. No foreign objects (such as a thorn) have ever been found. I am wondering if this might be something that has to do with bone growth or allergies or skin-related issues (dermatological) since it happens in the same place, but does not seem to have a singular cause. Any thoughts or related experiences?

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To me, it sounds like a hot spot from licking rather than an injury. It may be allergy related, If he has a new vet since the move, maybe you could call and ask their thoughts. If he hasn't seen a vet since the move, then you could visit to get to know local vets (in an effort to find the 1) & ask.

Deb A.

I've taken him to the vet 4x for this - the other times I did exactly what the vet does at home. The vet said not a hot spot. They don't know what it is. Next time I take him in, I'll ask about it b/c I'm wondering why it keeps happening. Very bizarre that it keeps occurring.

Stephanie W.

Sounds like getting another vet's opinion might give you peace of mind.

Deb A.

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Shannon L.

It could be a couple of things - a lick granuloma (a sore caused by chronic licking), or a weed seed or awn (foxtail or cheet grass in the west). I don't know what plants are in your area, but I suspect something similar to what I'm familiar with is embedded in your dog's paw. The seed is shaped to migrate into tissue, so once a foxtail pokes all the way in, it won't work it's way out. In either case, it would be best to take him to a vet.

Comments

I've taken him to the vet 4x for this (see above). No chronic licking. Weird thing is we've never found an entry point on the bottom of paw, so it looks like a thorn but we can't figure out why it's in the same place, looking the same, but top entry or cause on top. I think I have a mystery dog!

Stephanie W.

Yes, that is a mystery... It could be a cyst of some kind, or other dermatological issue. Maybe a biopsy or aspiration could be send in for analysis. Is surgery an option? "When in doubt, cut it out." That way, no matter what it is, you could just put it behind you.

Shannon L.

I guess I'll find out. Thank you for your thoughts!

Stephanie W.

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Andrea R.

This sounds like an inter-digital cyst. My bulldogs get them often, sometimes when their nails are too long. It never hurts them; my vet said it actually itches, which may be why they lick them. Sometimes they'll burst and bleed and then will disappear. I usually just be sure to clean any debris from between their toes underneath and keep their nails trimmed. Hope this helps.

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Jazmin R.

I have a Doberman who licks his paw. He licks so much it turns red and swollen. It gets worse, redder the more he licks. If he is licking the same spot over and over it will get redder and if not corrected and taken care can turn into a bacterial infection. My dog had a acral lick dermatitis or a lick granuloma. Its when they lick over and over. Some dogs will lick the paw, under or top. My dog licks under and he licks his armpits and inner thighs. Correct your dog if he licks the same spot over and over.

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Does anyone have experience with a recurring dog injury on top of a paw?

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