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My dog's carpal pad is ripped and paw is raw. Should I see a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 3 years and 10 months old | 45 lbs

Should my dog see a vet? She ripped her carpal pad and seems to have burned or licked her paw raw. The carpal pad seemed to be hanging off a bit at first but it looks and feels solid today. We are soaking the area in chlorhexidine nightly and wrapping it with vet wrap and neosporin throughout the day. These pictures are 5 days into home treatment.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on July 30th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Leeloo and for providing pictures, they are very helpful. I think you are doing a great job, and I don't see a need to take her to the vet. I'd put a cone on her and monitor the area for signs of infection which include redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, and pus. If you do see signs of infection, I'd take her into the vet. I hope this helps!

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2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog’s carpal pad is a bit torn. She isn’t licking or biting it often/constantly and it isn’t raw/red/bleeding. Her behavior hasn’t changed. She’s still eating, running, and playing. She isn’t crying or limping. How do I clean it for it to heal? Do
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! If the wound is superficial then you can just monitor it. If there is ANY licking at all then I would use the E-collar as they tend to be licking 10 times the amount you actually see. She could have scraped it on the fence or the hot asphalt. I would just soak the food in an Epsom salt bath 1-2 times daily for 5-7 days. I wouldn't put anything topical on it as she will likely lick it off or it will come off when she walks. If it is deep then you should see your Vet. You can always post a picture here as well. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hi dog has hurt paw and riped some skin. No bleeding
According to the photos it looks like a mild abrasion in the central pad that is healing. For now I would just monitor unless signs of infection (redness, pus, foul smell, pain) or if any lameness present then I would suggest to contact your vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My dog has torn his paw pad. It isn’t bleeding and he isn’t limping and doesn’t seem in pain but it is badly torn and he’s licking it a lot. Is this something that I need to clean and leave to heal by itself or does he need treatment from the vet?
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Our dog tore her back pad yesterday afternoon. Cleaned it yesterday. Today she's licking it and the pad seems to be coming off a bit. Should we just wrap it? Trying to determine if it needs more help.
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My dog’s carpal pad peeled a but the other day. I don’t know if I need to be rushing to the cet or if it will heal on its own. The first picture is the day of, second is the next day, it’s all scabbed over and touching it seems to cause no pain at al
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Hi just wandering if you are able to give me advice if my dog requires vet attention asap. Next to her paw it appears she has scraped herself and its red. Please see photos..she is running around and playing as per usual and only yelped when I was dr
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco. Poor Skye. Its hard to make the area out on the photo, but I don't think you need to rush to an emergency hospital. I'd call your vet and set up an appointment when you are able to get her in. They can shave and clean the area and dispense antibiotics, topical medications and pain meds. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Our dog injured his paw. Do torn pieces on The carpal pad require stitches? What is the tube-like piece protruding from between the two torn pad pieces? At top of picture, what is the horizontal crease/cut? Can we treat all at home or is vet care
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. This does not require stitches in my opinion. The spot at the top of the picture appears to be a cut or abrasion. The protruding pieces are likely pieces of pad that have not fallen off on their own. I would recommend soaking this in a betadine / saline mixture (mixed to give a light brown solution). I would soak this for 5-10 minutes twice daily until healed. I would also apply Sentry Wound ointment, which you can find at PetCo and apply twice daily. If this does not improve or it worsens, please have Bane examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
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My dog may have stepped on glass, he started chewing his back right paw pad.. It looks bad, I have a picture.
Hi and thanks for your post on Boop by Petco! I am sorry to hear Dog has stepped on glass. That can certainly cause paw pad lacerations. From the picture, it looks like he has been licking at it. My best advice is to take Dog to his veterinarian so the paw can be examined, smaller less obvious pieces of glass can be removed if still embedded in the paw pad, and bandaged properly. Dog may need to be on antibiotics as well as wear a cone for a few days until his paw pad has healed up. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hello, my dog has a cut on her paw. I tried cleaning and covering but she still managed to lick it raw. Now the surrounding skin is black. Should I be worried?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Black can sometimes be associated with necrotic or dead tissue. I highly recommend that you have your veterinarian take a look at the wound to see if it requires further local therapy with debridement and cleaning. Also, they would be able to check if antibiotics should be used which is likely. In the meantime, you can consider using an e-collar which you can get at your local pet store to avoid her licking at it. Good luck!
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