Dogs often suffer processes that cause redness of the skin of their extremities or pads. The causes that can give rise to this alteration are multiple and include everything from allergic and infectious processes to poor care of the nails and the plantar area. Knowing and applying a series of preventive measures will avoid many of the causes that can originate this process. Therefore, we recommend that you do not miss the following article on our site, in which we explain the most important aspects of red paws in dogs, including their causes, symptoms and remedies
Why does my dog have red paws?
In this first section we are going to develop the different causes that can cause redness in the paws of dogs. But before that, we need to consider which part of the limb is affected by the redness:
- The skin: Reddening of the skin is called erythema. In dogs, it is more common to observe reddening of the skin at the level of the armpits or groin, on the inside of the extremities or between the fingers.
- The pads: the redness will be more evident in dogs that have unpigmented pads, although in case of serious injuries it can also be observe in the pigmented pads.
Once we have distinguished the parts of the extremities that can be affected by redness, we are going to see each of the causes that can originate them.
Allergies
In dogs, there are different types of allergies that can cause reddening of the skin on their paws. The most important ones are:
- Food allergy: In dogs with food allergies, erythema (redness) is usually observed at the interdigital level (between the fingers), in the groin and armpits. In addition to the extremities, redness is also often seen on the belly and face, around the mouth and eyes. In these cases, the erythema appears associated with other clinical signs, such as itching and alopecia.
- Atopic dermatitis: in this case, the allergy is caused by environmental allergens such as pollen or dust mites. It presents in a very similar way to food allergy, with erythema, itching and alopecia. It is a typical process of the French Bulldog, given that it is a breed with a genetic predisposition to this pathology.
- Hypersensitivity to flea bites: it is caused by allergens in the saliva that the flea deposits when feeding, however, not all dogs with fleas suffer from this process, only those that develop a hypersensitivity reaction to these allergens. In this case, the redness usually appears on the inside of the limbs, in the lower back and around the tail. It is usually accompanied by itching, alopecia and scabs.
- Contact dermatitis: This is an allergic reaction that occurs when the skin comes into contact with a “contacting product”, which it can be a cleaning product, a varnish, grass, etc. Generally, the redness appears in the area where there is less hair, since it acts as a barrier. For this reason, it is common for the interdigital spaces, the groin and armpits to be affected, as well as other parts of the body such as the scrotum or the lips.
Infectious diseases
The pathogenic microorganisms that can cause skin infections are basically bacteria and fungi. When these agents cause an infection in the skin of the paws or other areas of the body, one of the signs that can be observed is erythema or redness of the skin. The most common infections are:
- Superficial pyoderma: is a bacterial infection, usually caused by Staphylococcus intermedius. In addition to the reddening of the skin, areas of alopecia with pustules (accumulation of pus in the epidermis) and moderate itching can be observed.
- Dermatophytosis: is an infection caused by fungi of the genera Microsporum and Trichophyton. Generally, reddish and rounded lesions appear in areas with alopecia.
Parasitic diseases
The parasitic diseases that can affect the skin of the extremities are mainly caused by mites:
- Demodicosis: caused by the Demodex canis mite. Colloquially it is known as "red mange" since erythema or redness is one of the main clinical signs that appears in this disease. In addition, alopecia, thickening of the skin, and other variable signs such as papules, pustules, scabs, hyperpigmentation, etc. can be observed.
- Sarcoptic mange: produced by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is characteristic that the face, the edge of the ears and the bony projections of the extremities (such as the elbows, tarsi or hocks) are initially affected. In addition to redness, there is alopecia, peeling, scabbing and very intense itching.
Strange bodies
The danger posed by spikes to dogs is well known. With the arrival of good weather, it is common for these pointed, arrow-shaped "wands" to get caught in the dogs' fur, or worse yet, to dig into their skin, causing wounds, abscesses and infections. One of the regions where the spikes often stick is the interdigital area (between the fingers). In these cases, an inflammation occurs at the interdigital level in which redness, swelling, heat and pain can be observed.
Some Sharp or sharp items, such as glass or nails, can also get stuck in the pads or in the interdigital area, causing pain ulcers and infections. Something similar can happen when proper nail care is not performed The absence of a regular nail cut can cause them to grow until they dig into the skin, causing a inflammatory process characterized by redness, swelling, heat and pain.
Extreme temperatures
Both high and low temperatures can cause inflammation and redness of the pads of dogs. In summer, the ground temperature can become very high (especially on dark pavements such as asph alt), which can cause pad burns The same can happen during winter, when the ground is covered by ice or snow.
Abrasive floors
Walking for a long time or performing intense exercise on very abrasive ground, such as asph alt, cement or beach sand, it can wear down the pads and cause redness, even erosions or ulcers.
Symptoms associated with red legs in dogs
In the first part of this article we have developed the different causes that can cause the redness of the paws of dogs. However, in most processes this symptom does not appear alone, but is usually associated with other dermatological signs, such as:
- Alopecia.
- Flaking or dandruff.
- Papules: small reddish pimples.
- Pustules: accumulations of pus in the epidermis.
- Erosions and ulcers.
- Crusts.
- Itching or itching.
The set of skin signs will guide the diagnosis and select the most appropriate complementary tests to determine the cause of the redness of the legs.
What to do if my dog has red legs?
As you have been able to discover throughout the article, there are multiple causes that can cause red paws in dogs. For this reason, whenever you detect this clinical sign, you should go to your veterinarian / a trustedso that he can assess the cause of this alteration and establish the most appropriate treatment
For example, in the case of a food allergy, it will be necessary to find the food that produces the reaction and eliminate it from the diet. When a bacterial infection occurs, it is necessary to administer antibiotics and even use a specific shampoo. If demodectic mange is the cause, administering the appropriate antiparasitic is the main treatment.
As we can see, treatment varies enormously from one cause to another, which is why it is essential to identify why the dog has the red paw to heal it.
Home remedies for red legs in dogs
Of course, the fact that there are so many causes that can cause red paws in dogs means that there is no generic remedythat is effective for all cases. Therefore, you should know that to solve this problem it is essential that a veterinarian make an accurate diagnosis and, based on it, establish a specific treatment:
- Allergic processes can be treated with immunotherapy, hypoallergenic diets or elimination diets. In addition, symptomatic treatments can be established to control itching, based on glucocorticoids and oclacitinib.
- Infectious processes should be treated with antibiotics or antifungals, both oral and topical, and with antiseptics such as benzoyl peroxide. In addition, in these cases it is important to carry out a correct cleaning and disinfection of the environment of the animal, using sodium hypochlorite solutions (1/10 dilution).
- Parasitic diseases require treatment with antiparasitic drugs. In addition, pharmacological treatment can be complemented with the use of a specific shampoo.
- Injuries to the pads or the interdigital area (due to foreign bodies, burns, abrasion, etc.) require periodic care, disinfection with topical antiseptics, bandages, etc.
If the redness on your dog's paws is caused by dermatitis, you can consult this other article: "Home remedies for dermatitis in dogs".
How to prevent red paws in dogs?
Some of the causes of red paws in dogs, such as allergies, cannot be prevented. However, many other causes can be avoided by means of some simple preventive measures that we collect below:
- Maintain the environment surrounding the animal with a high level of hygiene.
- Follow the program of internal and external deworming prescribed by your veterinarian.
- Caring for the plantar area of dogs: trim nails periodically, avoid walking on very abrasive, very hot or very cold floors, avoid excess moisture on the pads and pay attention to the presence of spikes or sharp or sharp elements on the ground.
- Moisturize the pads when they are dry or cracked: you can apply ointments with centella asiatica extract, aloe vera or petroleum jelly, which will give the pads the hydration and elasticity they need.
