[Mahna]

Last winter, Bogie's paw pads got pretty cracked from all the dry weather and snow (just like my elbows!). I knew they sort of itched or annoyed him because he'd occasionally do this scratching/digging on carpet thing inside, and while outside on a walk, he would lift up one leg and sort of kick it out or shake it for a minute before continuing to walk. I usually just sort of rubbed his feet dry and clean with my gloves, warmed them up and little, and he would continue happily. It sort of looks like he's holding a leg up limp, except he will happily run 2 seconds later and he doesnt act like his whole leg is hurting.

This year, in preparation, i started putting cocoa butter on his feet at nights after he was asleep, so he couldn't lick it off, a month or so before it even snowed, but he's already started to do the kick/limp leg thing. I'm going to go and buy doggie boots for him, but I'm not positive he will wear them on walks. He doesn't mind wearing his jacket, but when its time to go #2, he will shake his jacket off before he goes, and I'm expecting something similar with the boots.

I know once in a pet grooming place, i saw them advertise a treatment where they rub something on their paws to help protect against the winter, but I've been to three petstores and no one who works there knows what I'm talking about, and the grooming place didn't sell it.

I was wondering if anyone had any idea what the paw stuff is called or any other recommendations on what to do. I'll be taking Bogie for his yearly check up after the holidays so will ask the vet there.

Thanks a lot

 

[Mikey T]

You might want to give Bag Balm a try.

Tuf-Foot

from sled dog ***

My dog has bad feet (fissures, scrapes, etc). What can I do?

Answer: According to the vets involved in the sport, most bad feet are due to zinc deficiency. A large percentage of northern breeds absorb zinc poorly, so even if your dog gets enough zinc in his diet, he may not be using it. You should consider supplimenting the dog's diet with 50 mg zinc (either chelated zinc or zinc gluconate -- do *NOT* use zinc sulfate). There are different foot preparations you can use such as Tomilyn's Protecta-Pad, Happy Jack Pad Kote, Tuf-foot, and Copertox, but most are based on rubbing alcohol for drying and toughening the foot. (Only Protecta-Pad uses lotions) There is a foot pad creme you can make up in _Dog Driver_ by Miki and Julie Collins but be aware that the DMSO in the recipe will cause an infection to drive deeper in the tissues and will also carry chemicals into the dog's (and your) bloodstream. Booting the dog helps, especially if your dog is prone to pad problems.[/b]

While unlikely because it apears a winter only symptom but at the vet check 1 would have his rear legs checked for patellar luxation just because the leg behavior you describe is a symptom of it

 

[BubbaLeroy]

Our Bogie has never been bothered by the cold when walking even in the minus temps of South Dakota. Bubba (ATB) on the other hand had very sensitive paws, and he would stop- pick up a paw and shake it like you are describing. His paws would get so cold they hurt, just like cold stinging fingers. We did get him boots to wear that he hated, but tolerated. The problem was we had to buy two sizes, because his front paws were so much larger that his rear paws. If they fit the front they fell off the back, or fit the back wouldn't go on the front. So we bought two sets in different sizes. Here is a picture of Bubba with his boots on. As you see he was trying to shake them off. It was the first time we tried them. He did get used to them but it took some time. Let your Bogie wear them in the house some to get him used to them if you decide to go that route.

 

[LouieDog]

I do remember going into my local pet store (pet valu) and seeing a display of some ointment that helps with cracked pads and coats them to help protect from salt etc.... but do you think I could remember the name of it. The next time i'm there, i'll write down the name of it and let you know!

 

[Charleen]

You may want to to try this: http://www.udderlysmooth.com/extracare.shtml

It is similar to Bag Balm. They sell the products at Walmart. It is for humans, but I think it may work for Bogie.

 

[Pinkwhip]

Mikey T

Just looked up those paw protectors from Gun Dog Supply and found one called Mushers Secret - claims to be all natural and non-toxic - have you heard of/tried that one?

THANKS!

 

[Mikey T]

Mikey T

Just looked up those paw protectors from Gun Dog Supply and found one called Mushers Secret - claims to be all natural and non-toxic - have you heard of/tried that one?

THANKS![/b]

Never had that problem I know the products exist but can't make a personal recomendation.

 

[Mahna]

I went out and bought booties after reading the responses. Though I can tell Bogie is not a big fan of them, he's back to walking outside without the leg lifting and shaking.

Thanks a lot!