My dog's paw has a wound, matted fur, and looks swollen. What's wrong?

Yes usually there is an entry wound with something stuck in the paw. The picture looks like she has an infection between the toes. This is infected interdigital cysts. It can affect one paw or all four. Often they have some drainage and swelling. I recommend taking Willow to the veterinarian for an exam. They will look for a foreign body in the paw and if it's a paw infection they will prescribe antibiotics. You can soak the paw in warm epsoms salt solution for five to ten minutes. This will draw out the infection and increase the blood supply to speed healing. If Willow is licking this excessively please use a restraint collar so she can't lick the paw. These generally heal quickly with treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Willow.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It seems like you have been doing a good job so far. However, just like you pointed out, there may be a foreign body stuck in there or something else causing an infection. I recommend that you have Tank evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Antibiotics can be started and they can also check to see if there is something stuck there that they can remove to provide comfort and also prevent the infection from reoccurring. Good luck and have a great day!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The wound and swelling could be caused by a foreign body, like a splinter or a piece of grass seed that penetrated under the skin. If there is no improvement to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, Hjalmar should have the swelling lanced and flushed under sedation.

Vets are still seeing pets for serious issues or medical emergencies, so it is a good idea to contact yours to see if you can get Gabber in for care and started on some antibiotics as needed. Until you can, keeping the wounds clean and dry and trimming back the fur and using an antiseptic such as a chlorhexidine or antiseptic cleaner can help reduce debris in the wound. You will also want to put an Elizabethan (cone) collar on Gabber to keep him from licking his paws to help reduce irritation and inflammation.

This is an interdigital infected cyst. You can soak it in warm water with epsoms salt to help get the area to drain. Generally I treat these with antibiotics and prevent licking by using a restraint collar. With treatment this should heal in a week or two. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Baxter.

Poor Cubbie! I am very concerned by looking at the photos that this may be a tumor that has become infected. I would have her rechecked or seek a second opinion. A topical cream is not going to do anything for this as the infection is too deep. Your pet may need surgery to remove this and an oral antibiotic to control the infection. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While this is possible, keep in mind that there could also be something like an abscess going on. Other possibilities include a mass or tumor. I would encourage you to have Cooper evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check on this and recommend therapy accordingly. Best of luck!