Bleeding feet.

[Tinaweena]

Boones back feet always bleed after a walk. It looks like the toenails rub the pads and cause it to get raw (poor thing)! It's not the bottom of the pad, but the side of it. We've had him to the vet about it, and she gave us antibacterial soap for them, and told us to run in some polysporin throughout the day when we can.
We did this and it was clearing up just fine, then we started going for walks and it's getting worse now.
The vet said it's not his toenails, but I can't see it being anything else. The sores are in the exact shape of the curvy nail, I hate the thought of him being hurt on our walks when I want him to enjoy it. When we get home he doesn't bother with them or chew them or anything so they don't seem to really bother him, but I don't like it. Do you think letting his nail grows to the point where the tip of it won't rub against the pad is a good idea?
Also, if it doesn't stop even then, when we take him to be neutered would it be an option to remove those two toenails causing the problem? I don't know if thise would have a negative effect at all or be just like taking the nails off a cat. It would only be two toenails of the 20 he has.

[bigdoglover]

How long are his toenails? Are they curving back into his pads? I guess I'm having a hard time visualizing this....can you give a discription or post a picture?

[Tinaweena]

Hmm I don't have a pic...
The nails aren't log at all..he's only 4 months old and has had his complimentary nail clips at the vet with his shots. So they are nice and short. They aren't curving back into the pad. Umm it's like the pad extends farther on his middle toe and the nail on the toe beside it rubs the side of it.
I can try to find a diagram of a dog foot on the web to explain better.

Edit, made a diagram, now I'll try to attach it.

[IceyBlueSibes]

I think I can picture what you are saying.

Have you tried going to a different vet, just to get a second opinion? If it were me, that's what I would do.

Poor thing... such a shame to have that happen to your puppy. I hope you can find a solution!

[Tinaweena]

Thanks for the sympathy I've attached a pic. I really like our vet, I just think when she saw it, it wasn't as bad as it is now and she thought he just cut it outside, cuz it was only one foot affected at the time also.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Oh I have no doubt that you like your vet! Just sometimes it's a good idea to get a second opinion. In a way, some vets know more about certain things than others.

[Kris]

Had this exact problem with Darby (Irish Wolfhound) a few months ago. His vet explained that his toes were growing at different rates and that other than keeping the areas clean (it was happening on both paws) there wasn't much that could be done except wait it out. It went away within a few weeks as his shorter toes caught up. During those weeks I walked him less and never allowed him to run as that seemed to be the motion most likely to reopen the sores. I also made sure to file the nails as smooth as I possibly could each evening.
Good luck with your pup. I hope his toes grow fast. As a warning: the vet did mention that if Darby's toes had remained such problematically different lengths the only solution might be declawing the shorter toe. She was NOT advocating it at all, just giving me the 'worst case scenario".

[Tinaweena]

Ok thanks Kris. Yeah I really don't wanna have to take the toenails. I was just wondering if there was a solution for him out there if it didn't stop.