Cut Feet

[tainferdia]

Does anybody's hound have trouble with regularly getting cuts on their feet?

Paddy has been allowed off the lead for six months now and is loving it, he must run almost as fast as he did when he was racing. It's wonderful watching him, but he regularly cuts his feet, not the pads but the back of the foot behind the large pad, or the side and yesterday he broke one of his dew claws.

It bled loads, and poor Paddy had to suffer a small bandage on his leg for a few hours - much to his disgust - although the injury didn't seem to bother him at all! It all seems forgotten about today.

He runs on bridleways, green lanes, set-a-side land and some ploughed fields, so I guess there is loads for him to nick himself on.

I know they have thin skin, so is this common in hounds?

He really loves running, so I don't want to stop him, but I feel a bit mean letting him hurt himself (although it doesn't seem to bother him!)

[suethejam]

I can't speaks for anyone else but all six of our hounds have been devils for getting little cuts and for ripping their dew claws - it's just one of those things!

Most injuries happen when they're charging around the garden and I'm certainly not keeping then on lead there!

I do make sure that I have a good houndie first-aid kit and that I know my limitations - when to take them to the vet and when I can deal with things myself.

Some people put little boots on their hounds feet when they go running - there are plenty of options - the neoprene therapw boot stays on well, though we've only used them as bandage/dressing covers - www.therapaw.com/thera-pawboots.aspx

Hope that helps :-)

[Deleted]

Unfortunately the problem comes as part of the 'package'!! Ted's first 'outing' off the lead led to a broken toe!! Personally I prefer to see the hounds enjoy themselves and deal with any mishaps as the occur.

I would rather see a happy hound with a plaster/bandage any day!!

[tainferdia]

Thank you for the reassurance, it's not just Paddy!

I agree, it's wonderful watching him charge around - the joy on his face is contagious - and I wouldn't want to stop that.

I'll invest in a first aid kit and toughen-up (bit of a wimp when it comes to blood!)

[gazza56]

there is only one thing better than seeing a hound run because it wants to ,.......and that is 2 hounds running because they want to, what a fantastic sight

[shirley]

Hi Tainferdia.I also have had to deal with torn dew claws on both of my houndies.First time we went to the vets... Very expensive...But now I sort it out by putting socks on them before they start running about. I bought 2 elastic wrist bandages cut them to size to fit comfortably over the dew claw then sewed them lengthwise in half and cut off the residue.They are put on every time we let them off the lead they don't seem to mind and it works out so much cheaper than the vets,also stops them hurting themselves.Self sticking blue bandages can also be wound around their legs and it comes off easily when soaked in water .Hope this is of help. Regards Shirley