My dog is limping with a sore, open wound on her paw. What to do?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on May 9th, 2018

  Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If the limping seems to be worsening, I would rather have you take her to a veterinarian to be examined rather than wait any longer. If she has an infection deeper in the wound, you won't be able to reach it with topical disinfectants. She should probably be on an oral antibiotic and pain medication to help reduce any inflammation. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please remember to rate this answer as helpful or not. Thank you!

  

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• Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

  Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

  Published on November 1st, 2017

  Any topical antibiotics that you apply will likely just get licked off. I would just wait until you can have her evaluated by a veterinarian. Until the appointment, make sure she isn't licking it, as this can cause damage or ulceration to the skin and spread bacteria. Since she limps when she walks, this means she is painful, so trying to keep her as still as possible will help with pain. I would skip walks or play time until Monday

  

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• Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on November 20th, 2018

  Ouch, that looks quite nasty and should really be looked at by your veterinarian as this could be a nasty cut or even a torn off toe or open fracture. Even if it hurts less now, there still is a good chance of this getting infected, so your veterinarian may want to prescribe an antibiotic for your dog and even bandage the paw to keep dirt from entering the wound.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful