growth on front right paw first digit

[bella_rs]

Hi Guys, I'm an owner of a 2 year old mini poodle who has been limping and has a sore paw. I took her into the vet and he did a biopsy of a cornified tip of his paw. Results came back it was a corn like material, nothing series. But my sweetie still is in pain and limps after exercise. Poor guy. He still has a lump on the bottom left corner of his paw that is sore upon touch. He squeals and doesn't want me to touch it.! What should I do!  I have already paid $400 for the biopsy


Thanks,
bella

[tonyb286]

Hi. None of my suggestions would cause any harm or make any expected condition any worse, but it is always best to check with your vet first, particularly if you feel it is badly inflamed (and therefore possibly infected). The likelihood is he may need an antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory. The other things I have mentioned will certainly help over time, as they are slow build-up remedies, a bit like you and I taking multivits over a prolonged period of time. Every bit helps, as they say. Do let me know what your vet says - and give your poorly pawed guy a hug from me. Tony

[bella_rs]

Thanks for your suggestions Tony. I am using a shoe for walks and I put on a sock so that he doesn't lick. But I'm concerned that the inflammed part is something else and it wasn't biospyed. I guess I need to call the vet to confirm that fact first. Do you think so?
Before I try to administer the various great suggestions that you have recommended?

[tonyb286]

Hi. That;s really good news about the biopsy. You must be so relieved. There's a couple of things worthy of suggesting here ... well, not unusual for me, more than a couple of things actually.

First, Camomile tea is a great natural soothing agent. Simply make-up a cup of tea using a camomile tea-bag, let this cool to tepid (or add cold water to the mix), then soak your dog's paw in it for as long as he will allow you to do it. Ten minutes would be good if you can achieve it. Dry thoroughly and repeat daily, or just after taking him out for a walk.

It may also be worth trying some Paw Protection Cream available from the Dogs Trust at http://www.dogstrustproducts.com/pawprotectioncream.html

It is also worth reducing the length of walks and making sure he doesn't walk on rough ground for a while. In the past, I have used doggy shoes when my own dogs have injured their paws, but not all dogs will keep these on - might be worth trying just while he's out on walks.

It is of course important not to let him lick his paw, as this will cause inflamation, making it more sore. Callouses are common in older dogs and it is thought they are caused through a lack of zinc. Try a zinc supplement in his food and see if it helps prevent them forming. If you are giving your dog any additional calcium, it should be noted calcium absorbs zinc in the body, and therefore can cause callouses to form.

Vitamin E in gel form can also be rubbed onto the callous and hard skin areas, and this helps heal the callous region and is soothing. Vitamin E can also be administered as a supplement in food to help keep the skin moist.

Hope those few suggestions are of use to you. Do let us know how you get on with any of these remedies you try - particularly if one or a combination work for your best friend. Good luck. Tony