Dog Foot Disorders
Foot disorders in dogs are common, especially in active dogs. Dogs may suffer from nail conditions, cracked pads and foot fractures. It is important to keep a good check on your dog's feet so a developing foot condition does not get out of control.
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Ulcerative Dermatosis
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Ulcerative dermatosis is a condition that most often affects shetland sheepdogs and collies. Ulcerative dermatosis occurs in middle-aged to older dogs and may be quite painful. This condition may cause ulcers on the dog's foot pads, as well as the groin, eyelids and ears. The treatment for this condition is corticosteroids for pain and inflammation and antibiotics if any secondary infection is present.
Sesamoid Fracture
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A sesamoid fracture is a break in the sesamoid bones of the foot, the small bones that form the knuckles in the toes. A sesamoid fracture may cause lameness in dogs due to the pain caused by the fracture. This type of fracture is often difficult to diagnose, as it may not show up clearly on x-rays and is not a common problem in dogs. The treatment for a sesamoid fracture is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain. Surgery may be recommended for dogs that have persistent lameness.
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Pododermatitis
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Pododermatitis is a foot disorder that can occur in dogs of all breeds. Pododermatitis causes inflammation of the feet and can be caused by allergies, auto-immune diseases, drug reactions and liver cirrhosis. The disorder can cause cracking of the pads of the feet, making walking or running difficult for the dog. The nails are often involved and may crack and become sore. The veterinarian will make the diagnosis of pododermatitis by taking a full medical history and examining skin scrapings from the dog's feet. It may also be necessary to perform a biopsy, usually done under sedation, to confirm the diagnosis.
Nail Diseases
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There are many conditions that could affect a dog's nails. Some of these conditions may include dermatophytosis, symmetric lupoid onychodystrophy and idiopathic symmetric onychodystrophy (affecting Rhodesian ridgebacks and Siberian huskies). All of these conditions may cause brittle nails which break and can cause lameness. If lameness is a chronic problem, surgical removal of the nails may be required.
Considerations
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Dogs that are active or run on rugged terrain may benefit from the use of booties on their feet. Booties may protect the pads of a dog's feet from becoming sore or it may help to prevent injuries. If your dog exhibits symptoms of pain or lameness, contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
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References
- Photo Credit dogs in the grass image by Lars Christensen from Fotolia.com
