My dog's paw looks inflamed after injury. Can it wait until Monday?

Hello, thank you for your question about Baxter. Based on your description and the photo provided I believe that Baxter can wait until Monday to be seen by a veterinarian. In the meantime I would try to prevent him from licking at the area and try to keep it as clean as possible. If you have one you can use an e-collar to prevent him from getting at the area. Alternatively you could cover his foot with a sock (if you use this method try to keep the sock clean and dry, it may need to be changed). Additionally when Baxter goes outside I would recommend covering his foot (especially if the ground is wet) to prevent dirt and debris from getting to the area. You can use a plastic shopping bag or a bootie for this purpose. I would recommend scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian on Monday so that they can examine the area and determine if it is infected/irritated and prescribe Baxter any medications that they feel are warranted. Hope this helps, good luck!

I think as long as you schedule a visit on Monday Bertie should be okay. I'd recommend getting a E-collar to prevent Bertie from licking the nail as this may result in infection. You can also soak the foot in a diluted chlorohexidine or diluted iodine solution and then rinse thoroughly. If Bertie stops eating, acts lethargic, starts limping, or is obsessively trying to lick the nail then it would be better to get him to a veterinarian sooner. If he remains otherwise normal I think you are okay in waiting until Monday. Torn nails can be pretty painful, but please remember there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs so you will need a prescription from a vet for pain meds. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Bertie's issue resolves quickly!

If there is no active bleeding and he isn't extremely painful, then he can likely wait until later today. Waiting until tomorrow would not be recommended. Place an e-collar (cone) on Rufus to prevent licking. Crate him or restrict activity until he sees the vet. Do not give him anything for pain until you speak with your vet. Many OTC pain medications can be toxic to dogs.

I would wrap it with a bandage to protect it, and just keep an eye on him for now. Keep him for licking the bandage by putting an Ecollar on him. You can make one at home or get one from a pet store. Have him seen by a vet on Monday, as the flap may need to be removed. Change the bandage daily, and if it appears infected or he starts limping, take him into an ER vet. I hope this helps! http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Poor Maggie. I'm wondering if she injured herself running outside. You can wait until Monday to have her seen. Until then, rest her. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring hr right back in when she's done. Take her into the vet first thing Monday. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I hope this helps!

It's hard to see with all the hair, I assume I'm looking at the top of her paw and it's between two toes. This may not be a traumatic injury, it could be a place that she has licked and scratched because she had a small wound or an insect bite or other irritation between the toes. I recommend keeping it clean with a warm damp washcloth and mild soap, make sure to rinse it completely and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to keep the skin moist and avoid cracking. I would get it seen by your vet as soon as you can but, as long as she seems otherwise fine, I don't feel this is an emergency.

Poor Luca! I actually recommend to use an Elizabethan collar instead of a sock. The sock will hold in moisture and it will make the area more humid which will encourage more bacterial or yeast growth then allowing it to air out. Keeping these lesions open to the air is much better. Have Luca wear the collar anytime he is not being directly supervised. Wash the paw daily with an antibacterial soap and rinse. You can continue the Epson salt soak every other day (rinse well afterwards). After it is dry, you can apply the spray. Make sure to keep his feet clean and dry. Until he is checked out by the vet on Monday, keep the trauma to the paw minimal so no running, jumping and keep his walks minimum and avoid abrasive surfaces such as overly dry grass and rocks. I hope he starts feeling better quickly and please feel free to post any additional questions.