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Evaluating Your Dog’s Heatlh – Paws and Toes

October 15th, 2009

Following is our next post in our series of articles on “Evaluating Your Dog’s Health”. This week — Paws and Toes!

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Don’t overlook routine dog paw care. Because your dog spends so much time on their feet — without the protection of shoes – they are prone to punctures or wounds from glass and other sharp objects, as well as scrapes and abrasions from cement and gravel walkways. Their little pads can even get burned on a hot sidewalk. Examine your dog’s feet on a regular basis to make sure they have not picked up any foxtails, stickers or something else sharp.

• Look for any foreign objects stuck on their feet or between the toes
• Look for cracked, dry, irritated skin, or swelling
• Watch their gate, see if they are limping
• Are the toenails to long?
• Small cuts or mild skin disease may cause infections in the sweat glands of your dog’s feet, resulting in swelling or abscesses between the toes – Soaking the afflicted foot in warm salt water often will relieve the pain. A more severe or persistent infection calls for veterinary care, antibiotics, and other follow-up treatment.
• Invest in a pair of booties, for the hot sidewalk or the snow

HINT: If your dog steps in something gooey soften it up by rubbing the foot with margarine, peanut butter, or shortening; then work it off. Apply ice to chewing gum to make it brittle and easier to remove. You can also try soaking the foot in a mixture of warm salt water and olive or mineral oil.

This information was provided by Susan Hartzler with AlphaDog PR, which is based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters. Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

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