Just call him lucky

[ChickensHaveNoLips]

So. After last week's diarrhea, Jasper was on the mend. On Saturday I took him for s run through the woods. He sliced a lump off the middle of his rear left pad. Pads really can bleed.Back to the vet. The vet couldn't stitch it, so had to bandage it. The poor hound was also fitted with a cone of shame. Problem is, the bandage walks off within 24 hours no matter how well I secure it. the vet said we could still talk him, but moments after hitting the pavement the bandaghas travelled. Right now, there is no bandage. the wound is dry and no longer bleeding. he isn't limping or bothering it at all. So is it ok to leave it untapped? He is on antibiotics. And should I just leave the walks until its healed over? Poor dog is really fed up and I'd love to take him to the field for an energetic game of fetch but I'm worried he'll step in a stone and open other up again.

[MrsZoidberg]

Would popping a sock over his paw help? I guess a child's sock would be tight enough, depending on size of dog, but stretchy enough not to cause circulation problems.

I also do this when they need to keep it dry - plastic bag, taped around top and then a sock over it. It stops the bag slipping down and hence pulling the bandage with it.

Poor Jasper, hope he's better soon.

[ChickensHaveNoLips]

I've tried that, Mrs.Z. He still pulls like a train on the lead, and all the scrabbling about just pulls it all off. Part of the problem is that he hasn't had a decent run since Saturday when he got hurt, so he's desperate to get out. Hence the scrabbling. I think I might just have to play with him in the garden, because walking on the pavement is going to just open up the wound again with all the scraping. Do you think it's ok to leave the dressing off while he's ignoring it?

[RedwingWinter]

Ouch! Poor Jasper! You could always ring your vet and ask their advice. I think it's probably best to find some way to keep a dressing on, even if it involves lots of re-applications. I hope he heals up soon.

[gomowthelawn]

You need a dog shoe. I had to get one when my pup seriously injured a back leg, so was in a bandage for weeks. I got one from the local pet shop - it was a german brand, can't remember the name, but it looks like leather dog shoe, with neoprene leg part and a velcro strip round the leg. You mustn't leave it on during the day as his foot will sweat, but it is great for walks.

[gomowthelawn]

Google waterproof dog shoes or boots - lots come up

[ChickensHaveNoLips]

Hmm. Think I'll have to keep the dressing on and forgo the walks for now :(. It's the pavement which causes the problem. I took him out briefly earlier without a dressing, and it just started to bleed again. Vet said that the dressing was more important than walks for a few days. My poor bouncy boy :(