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My dog's infected paw is worsening on antibiotics. How soon?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boston Terrier | Male | neutered | 1 year and 2 months old

My dog has been limping for 4 days. The area between fingers on his paws looks red and very infected. We have been to the vet two times already. First he told us that it was a blister and gave cream. Yesterday he said that it is an infection and already prescribed antibiotics. The paw seems to get worse every day. There is brown discharge and the paw is swollen. Fingers also get stuck during the night and its very painful to take them apart. Should antibiotics help? If yes, how soon?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Linda G, MS, DVM

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 11th, 2017

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Poor Archie seems to have a case of pododermatitis, an inflammatory condition sometimes associated with allergies. It may, indeed take a few days for the antibiotics to kick in. Hopefully, he is on an oral antibiotic, but I will also recommend a topical one, as well. This would involve bandaging up the foot so the antibiotic does its job. You can talk to your vet about some pain medication too. In the meantime, soak the foot in warm water & dilute betadine or 2% chlorhexidine. 1/4 cup of the solution in a cup of water should do it. Try to soak the paw for 5-10 minutes 3 times a day, rinse & dry the foot. This will help in the healing process. Hope Archie is doing better soon. Take care.
Vote Icon2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 3rd, 2017

    Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Max!

    The most common cause of pododermatitis (interdigital and paw infections) is allergies. It is best to start working up allergies in Max with your Vet: trying a novel protein diet (getting him off a chicken based diet and trying a venison or all fish) or a prescription hydrolyzed diet), allergy testing, and trying apoquel or cytopoint. Then the infection needs to be treated. Usually yeast and/or bacterial overgrowth is the cause. Your vet needs to diagnosis if it is both or one or the other. Then oral antibiotics and/or antifungals are prescribed for 3 or more weeks.

    You can try bathing the feet in a medicated shampoo every 203 days and leave the lather on for 10 mins of contact time before rinsing. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27234

    The best thing for Max is to see a Vet. I hope this helps and I wish Max a speedy recovery!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Davis

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 16th, 2017

    Yes, continue the treatment as directed until all of the antibiotics are gone. Sometimes dogs need an additional ten days for these toe infections to fully resolve. Bathing the feet in a medicated shampoo once or twice a week also helps heal the sores more quickly and the washing will remove the dead skin so the new skin will come in better and it will reduce the foot licking if Archie is licking his feet. Make sure to rinse the feet well after shampooing and dry them thoroughly. Don't worry about the missed dose of medication just get back on schedule now. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Archie.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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