The foot pads are structures that, although they are part of the skin, have special and differentiating characteristics. They are made up of a collection of fatty tissue covered by thick skin and a wide layer of keratin. Thanks to their structure, the pads can fulfill important functions, such as thermal insulation and cushioning the impact of the extremities against the ground.
Like any other region of organisms, the foot pads are not exempt from pathologies. If you think that your dog has some alteration in the plantar area and you are wondering how to know if my dog has bad pads, do not hesitate to join us in the following article on our site in which we will explain the main 7 footpad diseases in dogs
Injuries due to external agents
The pads are structures resistant enough to withstand continuous friction against the ground. However, when faced with certain harmful external agents, they can suffer injuries such as:
- Burns: both by physical agents (cold or heat) and by chemical agents. In summer, the ground temperature can become very high (especially on dark ground, such as asph alt) and cause burns on the foot pads. The same can happen due to contact with very cold floors (with ice or snow), or due to contact of the pads with caustic or corrosive substances.
- Cuts and Wounds: During walks, it is relatively common to find sharp or sharp objects on the ground (such as glass, wires, nails, etc.) capable of penetrating the plantar pads and causing very painful cuts or wounds.
- Erosions and ulcers: walking on very abrasive surfaces, such as asph alt, cement or beach sand, can wear or even generate erosions or ulcers on the plantar pads.
Plantar hyperkeratosis
Plantar hyperkeratosis consists of an increase in the thickness of the keratinized tissue of the plantar pads. Excess keratin causes a thickening and hardening of the skin, in addition to favoring the appearance of dryness and cracks in the pads
In dogs, plantar hyperkeratosis can appear for several reasons, the most frequent being:
- Infectious/parasitic diseases: such as leishmaniasis or canine distemper.
- Inherited diseases: such as familial hyperkeratosis of the plantar pads.
- Autoimmune diseases: such as pemphigus foliaceus.
- Deficiency diets: due to zinc deficiency.
- Hepatocutaneous syndrome.
In any of these cases, it is common for hyperkeratosis to also appear on the nose (nose). You may be interested in knowing more about Hyperkeratosis in dogs: causes and treatment in the following article that we recommend.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction that occurs when the skin, or in this case the pads, come into contact with a product which acts as an allergen. The reaction is usually triggered by:
- Chemical products: such as cleaning products, varnishes, etc.
- Environmental allergens: such as grass or grass.
After contact with the product that triggered the hypersensitivity reaction, there is a reddening of the pads and the interdigital area, being able to evolve towards the formation of erosive and hemorrhagic lesions.
You may also be interested in consulting more about Dermatitis in dogs: types, symptoms and treatment, here.
Cutaneous vasculitis
The term vasculitis refers to an inflammatory process in the blood vessels. Although it may be a primary pathology, it generally occurs secondary to other processes such as:
- Infections.
- Neoplasms.
- Adverse reactions to drugs or vaccines.
Cutaneous vasculitides (those that affect the skin) usually also affect the plantar pads, causing ulcers on them. In fact, the presence of a focal ulcerative lesion in the center of the pad is highly indicative of vasculitis.
Spikes
With the arrival of spring, spikes become one of the main protagonists in veterinary consultations. These arrow-shaped pods are able to adhere to fur, dig in and penetrate almost anywhere on a dog's body. One of the areas most affected by spikes is the foot pads.
The spikes are capable of penetrating the pads, causing ulcers and infections that drain to the outside forming fistulous pathways.
Plantar vitiligo
Vitiligo is a genetic disease in which there is a defect in melanocytes or melanin synthesis that produces a lack of skin pigmentationIts importance is merely aesthetic, since its appearance does not affect the welfare or the quality of life of the animal.
It should be mentioned that vitiligo is a disorder that can affect different parts of the body. Specifically, when it affects the plantar pads, it is referred to as plantar vitiligo.
Uveodermatological syndrome
Uveodermatological syndrome is an immune-mediated disease that causes ophthalmological and skin alterations. Specifically, it is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own melanocytes (cells responsible for melanin synthesis).
Dermatologically, it causes depigmentation and skin erosion in different body regions, including the footpads.
How to prevent paw wounds in dogs?
Although the pads are very resistant structures, it must be taken into account that they are subject to constant abrasion due to rubbing against the ground. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the following care to always keep them he althy and in perfect condition:
- Avoid very hot or very cold floors: As we have seen, excessively hot or cold floors can cause significant burns to the foot pads. dogs. For this reason, in summer it is advisable to take the walks in times of less heat and in shady areas. On the contrary, in winter it is preferable to look for sunny areas and avoid those that are frosty or snowy. In areas where frost or snowfall is common, caregivers often wonder what can be put on the dog's pads to protect them from the cold. A good alternative is to put special socks for dogs, which allow the pads to be insulated from the icy ground. Discover the best times to walk your dog, here.
- Walking in safe places: during walks, it is important to pay attention to the possible presence of sharp or pointed elements (such as glass, wires, nails, etc.). Avoid areas where these types of objects are frequently found and opt for safer walking areas.
- Avoid very abrasive floors: to keep dogs' pads he althy, walks should preferably be done on soft ground, grass or grass. As far as possible, abrasive floors such as asph alt or concrete should be avoided.
- Keep Pads Dry: When pads are submerged in water for too long, they become soft and can be more easily eroded by rubbing against soil. Therefore, it is important to dry the pads after rides, especially on rainy days. Likewise, in water-loving dogs, the time they spend in the bathroom should be controlled (no more than 15-20 minutes) and make sure that when they leave they walk on soft floors.
- Avoid areas with spikes: with the arrival of good weather, it is advisable to avoid areas with cereal plantations to avoid the problems associated with the spikes.
With these cares, it will generally not be necessary to apply any product on the dog's pads to keep them he althy. However, if you detect that the pads are especially dry or cracked, you can apply ointments with centella asiatica extract, aloe vera or Vaseline,to help return to the plantar tissue the hydration and elasticity they need.
Also, whenever you detect any of the symptoms described throughout the article, don't hesitate to go to your veterinary clinic as soon as possible to be able to find out its cause and remedy it early.
You may also be interested in the following article on How to heal wounds on the paw pads of dogs? for more information on the subject.
