We’ve all had the experience of walking across a room and accidentally stepping on a dog’s foot. Perhaps they will scream and withdraw, only increasing their guilt over an accidental minor injury. In some cases, your dog may continue to act a little “off” towards you for a while. Your dog may also limp, scream, or lick its paws, which are all signs of pain.
After all, we are (usually) much larger than dogs, so naturally stepping on their feet can hurt.
The effects of being stepped on can range from no harm and quick recovery to causing fractures and other injuries. Learn what to do when you step on your dog’s paw.
foot anatomy
Here we will explain in detail the anatomy of a dog’s paw so that you can understand the areas and parts that can be injured.
The structure of a dog’s paw is very similar to the human hand. A dog’s front and hind legs have four main weight-bearing fingers (digits), each made up of three smaller bones (phalanges). Most dogs have even smaller digits called dewclaws on the top inside of their front paws. Some dogs have rear dewclaws or double dewclaws. All of these fingers end in claws and contain sensitive tissue called the quick.
The internal bones of the foot are called the metatarsals (back foot) and metacarpals (front foot), and the ends of the foot are connected at joints called the carpals (wrist) of the front foot or the tarsals (hock) of the hind foot. It ends. Your feet have nerves and blood vessels that go to each toe, and there are also tendons above and below each toe. The upper surface of the foot is covered with skin and hair, and the lower surface has a spongy pad that acts as a cushion.
Any of these structures can be damaged if you accidentally step on your dog’s foot.
Have you stepped on your dog’s foot? Here’s what you need to do
1. please reassure them
Stepping on your dog’s paws may cause a shock to both you and your dog. Reassure them that you are not angry with them and that you did not mean to hurt them. You can do this by speaking in a high-pitched voice or petting them. You can distract your dog with a nice treat and make him forget all about him.
2. evaluate the feet
First, look at your feet from a distance. Is it hanging abnormally or clearly broken? Look at how your dog moves. Are they putting weight on their feet? Are they limping? When veterinarians examine injuries, a complete reluctance to use the paws is likely more serious than an injury that causes mild lameness, although both indicate that the dog is in pain.
You may need to protect yourself when inspecting your dog’s paws. Muzzle your dog if you think that’s necessary in the next step.
If your dog is walking a lot and doesn’t mind you touching their feet, take a close look at their feet. If they won’t allow you to look at their feet, this could be a sign that they are in pain. Be careful not to force the bite, as this may cause pain. Look for external scratches. More severe abrasions will require veterinary treatment, but minor abrasions that don’t break the skin can be treated with a dog-safe disinfectant.
Check for torn nails and feel each finger above the nail to move the joints. If your dog has a painful reaction, notices swelling, or notices a bone that is obviously out of alignment, go to your veterinarian.
Your foot may need to be re-examined several times over a few hours to assess for swelling, redness, and tenderness.
3. call the vet
If your dog suffers a paw injury, your veterinarian will be the first person to call. After checking the paw pads as best you can, call the veterinary clinic. They will let you know if a reservation is required.
If your dog is limping, experiencing tenderness, swelling, redness, or appears to be licking its paws excessively, contact your veterinarian.
Depending on the extent of your dog’s discomfort and swelling, we may order x-rays to ensure there are no broken bones or other injuries. If there is no fracture, your dog may need anti-inflammatory medication or another type of pain medication. Skin lesions can also be treated with sutures, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, bandages, or other treatments if needed.
4. try cool pack
Above all, always remember to follow your veterinarian’s guidance. So when you call your veterinarian, ask if they think it’s appropriate to use ice packs on your dog’s paws. Frozen vegetables, ice packs, and washcloths soaked in cold water can help reduce swelling in your dog’s paw during the acute stage of injury. However, always make sure there is a layer of material between the ice pack and your dog’s paw. Dogs can experience pain and frostbite if frozen objects are pressed directly against their skin for long periods of time. Instead, choose to wrap your ice pack in a tea towel or washcloth.
What happens if my dog breaks a bone?
Your veterinarian may determine from x-rays that your dog has broken one or more bones in its leg (fracture) and recommend a treatment plan.
For uncomplicated fractures, conservative treatment options such as a splint, bandage, or cast may be appropriate to support the foot until the bone heals. Surgical plating may be recommended for more complex fractures or when multiple bones are affected. In either case, a follow-up visit by your veterinarian to change the bandage and observe the foot is expected. Repeat x-rays are often recommended to monitor healing progress.
The conclusion is
Try not to get too upset if you step on your dog’s foot. It’s easy to blame yourself for this type of accident, but the more stressed or upset you are, the more stressful the situation will be for your pup. Be calm and rational after stepping on your dog’s paw, and try to actively distract your dog from the incident. Check the condition of the paws if possible and contact your veterinarian if further care is needed. If there is indeed a paw injury, your veterinarian is your best source of information on how to properly care for your dog’s injured paw.
Featured image credit: Te9l, Shutterstock
