Puppy paw swollen, oozing discharge. What's wrong and what to do?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would have this looked at by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would recommend having x-rays taken of the toe to make sure the toe is not broken. If there is no broken bones, then I worry about a bacterial infection and he may need to be placed on oral antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to an infection or a traumatic injury for example. It is difficult to know without being able to examine her. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to start antibiotics if needed. Good luck and have a good night!

This most commonly happens when a string or piece of towel or blanket gets wrapped anound the foot. Please check it carefully to make sure nothing is stuck on it stopping the circulation. Then you can soak the foot in warm water and massage it to increase the circulation which should reduce the swelling. Do this several times a day. Make sure he’s still eating and is kept warm. This sound serious so if this doesn’t help please take him in for treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your puppy.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I’m sorry to hear about Sugar. This could be a number of things including snake bite, bee sting, broken toe/foot, or abscess. I’d recommend seeing your vet as soon as possible for a better diagnosis and the proper treatment. Tonight is ideal. If the swelling continues up the leg or Sugar becomes lethargic, has tremors, or any other worrisome signs, please see an emergency vet immediately. Otherwise, I recommend the following until you can get in tomorrow. Ice- apply an ice pack or frozen veggie bag wrappped in a paper towel or thin cloth. Apply for 5-10 mins every 2-4 hours. This does wonders for both pain and swelling. Epsom salt soak- mix 4 tbsp Epsom salts in 1 cup warm water. Soak his paw in this tonight. This helps with pain, swelling, and if there is something stuck (stinger, thorn, etc). I absolutely do NOT recommend any human pain medications as they are neither safe, nor very effective in animals. They may also interfere with the pain medications that your vet will want to prescribe. Best of luck to you and Sugar!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. Based on the pictures that you sent, what you are seeing appears to be what we call pododermatitis. Oftentimes we will see these swollen areas in between the toes on Bulldogs especially. Many times a topical ointment, anti-inflammatory and oral antibiotics are needed to treat this. I would suggest having a veterinarian examine this to see if it needs any antibiotics or not. If you are unable to get to your vet right away, I would suggest using zymox topical ointment and malacetic conditioning spray, both of which can be found online. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available by phone or text based consultation if needed.

Wow this sounds awful! She needs to see a vet right away when you can get this done.. In the meantime, if she will let you try to soak the paws in a warm water/epsom salt solution several times a day, and then wrap them so she doesn't lick. Use 1-2 tbsp of epsom salt per 4-5 cups of warm water. Good luck!

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Nipper! If he will let you, try soaking his foot in a warm Epsom salt bath. Then gently wash the foot to see if it sap. Then try to use an E-collar to prevent licking. After you get the foot cleaned up hopefully you can see what is going on. If he will not let you touch it at all it is best to have him seen by a Vet. Also if you realize it is a wound he should be seen. I hope this helps and please repost with pictures if you can! Good luck!