My dog keeps licking a wound between his toes. Is it a foxtail?

Question

Tre won't stop licking wound between toes. No stickers, no debris, no blood, don't know what happened. Clean with peroxide then Neosporin & light wrap to keep ointment on. What should we really be doing to help him heal? Cone? Wear doggy shoes during day to keep clean? Is this considered a 'hot' spot maybe? He is a farm dog with very high energy! He loves his frisbee! We play fetch (frisbee) probably 4 hrs/day. Tre is rescue, 2yrs now, maybe 5-6yro. Fixed! HELP PLEASE!! Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | 4 years and 10 months old | 50 lbs

Dr. Strydom, DVM · Accepted Answer

This looks like a typical wound from a grassawn/foxtail migration under the skin. It does not look like a hotspot - those are rarely seen between the toes. A cone is always a good idea to prevent licking but if it is a migrating foxtail he may need surgery to find it and remove it. You can try soaking the foot in warm Epsom salt water for 5 minutes three times a day. If the foxtail is not too far under the skin already this may help to draw it out. Do not continue to use peroxide as that is actually toxic to the tissues. Peroxide is only good for an initial injury/dirty wound to clean it and that is it. Continued use is counter productive. A vet visit is probably best in this case.

My dog keeps licking a wound between his toes. Is it a foxtail?

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