Cuts in between dogs paws after walk on Beach?

[messofajess]

We took our little dog for a walk on Perranporth beach a few times (first few times on the beach) he has since come up with 1 cyst in between toes, then on two other paws there seems to be small lacerations in between his toes as well.

Has anyone experienced this? Is it maybe really small shells? The problems started on three separate occasions, he started looking uncomfortable as soon as we got home. I took him to the vet for the cyst who said I should just leave it but the lacerations started after that.

Bathe paws in salty water. And pat dry + loads of sympathy should do the trick!!

Have you looked at the symptoms for Alabama Rot? Just in case.....
www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/alabama-rot

@beachyumbrella That is absolutely terrifying!

"the lesions will look out of the ordinary to vets." The vet said it was just a cyst. I think I may take him back tomorrow anyway. He is still eating and drinking etc...

I know it hasn't spread throughout the country yet and generally you are safer on a beach rather than in woods, but better to be aware I think.....
Hope you get it sorted...

We have had quite a few cases of Alabama foot rot in the north west. Hope your dog is ok.

There have only been 29 confirmed cases of Alabama Rot this year out of a dog population of 8.5 million so while its devastating for those families affected, the chances of a dog getting infected are absolutely tiny. I think there is a lot of unnecessary hysteria about this at the moment - it reminds me of all the scare stories about necrotising fasciitis a few years back... when was the last time you read about that in a newspaper or on social media? It’s still around, still affecting a very small number of people just as it was at the time of all the hysterical coverage..,

Thanks everyone, he's had this cyst since monday and so I think I would have seen some kidney failure signs by now. And also the vet said it was just a cyst. You can hardly see the tiny lacerations so I think they may be from shells or even the sand? I'll be devastated if I cant take him for beach walks anymore.

If it is lacerations you could train him to wear boots. I do search and rescue with my dogs and they all have to wear boots (in case the ground is toxic, unsafe etc)

The boots would protect his feet from cuts as they work on glass shards.

Another thing to consider if it is his pads that get cut, is paw wax - this can harden up the pads for some dogs. Hopefully there will be a solution so he an get his beach walks.

Thanks so much @usainbolt. Does it sound feasible that it's the seashells then?

@meeofajess dogs can cut their feet on sharp things, rocks, shells, grit etc BUT I would want to show a vet as there are other reasons dogs could get lacerations and cysts.

I hope the feet are feeling better today

I feel like a real silly arsehole here but pleased to say I took three thorns out of his paws this morning and also discovered the thorny plant it came from. In my garden.

:)

Glad you have a solution