Chewing nails and pads causing real damage

[PatG]

Hi all

Another health question for me and Jem... (6 months old cocker, kept in the house, I'm with her all day as I don't work, she has 2 other cockers to keep her occupied when I'm not training her so I don't think she can be doing this through boredom)

One of her pads was damaged - I think during the severe frost we had here a few weeks ago. She now wont leave it alone and to date has chewed off 2 nails and part of two pads in one of her hind paws. It seems she is starting to chew a third pad that was not damaged initially by the frost. Even with the biggest/longest lampshade collar she can still get access to her paw. I've bought a Comfy blow up collar - but she still gets access to chew it. I've got anti-lick strips. Can I put these directly on an open wound? Her chewed pads are red raw and I'm not sure about putting the sticky plaster onto an open wound. I've also bought Pawz disposable boots to protect the paw when we're out training. I am finding it very stressful since I have to keep telling her to "leave it" when I see her licking/chewing and I feel she is having such a miserable existence just now.

I've taken her to the vet and she's had a week of antibiotics because it was infected. I think it may be infected again..... The vet said there is an inherited condition! I looked this up....acral mutilation....where the dog has no nerve endings in the paws and they just keep chewing. I hope she hasn't got this inherited condition too ....along with her other inherited condition of lingually displaced canines! How many inherited conditions can one pup have!

Any advice/suggestions gratefully received please. Anybody heard of or experienced acral mutilation?

Thank you.
Pat

[Rothievale]

How distressing for you Pat! I would say that you can solve this though as she only started doing it when she damaged her pads. It's a case of stopping the habit. Have you tried manuka honey? And a muzzle like a greyhound muzzle instead of a collar? I have used muzzles in the past instead of collars because they are so miserable and disorientated with a collar. First thing is to stop her getting to them so that the infection and wound can heal. Best of luck

[PatG]

Thanks Rothievale! Will try to get a hold of manuka honey and a muzzle I think would prevent her getting access though I would be concerned about a muzzle being more stressful for her ....but I need to try anything to get her to break the habit and get that paw repaired.

thank you
Pat

[Alice]

Like Helen said, it really is about doing anything you can to break the habit- things like licking/chewing paws becomes self-rewarding (my vet told me about a study done on cats re. this but I can't find the link which is annoying as it's useful), so she might've started doing it because of the damage, but now she really doesn't know why she's carrying on. Could you put a soft muzzle on her when you're around- I slightly worry that with a greyhound muzzle she'll find a a way to poke her tongue through it or something?

I seem to remember Vicky the vet saying a while back that normal honey is just as good as manuka- perhaps if she sees this she'll be able to confirm (it's a lot cheaper, if nothing else)

[Tungulria]

Rather than covering the wounds in sticky plaster use Vetwrap. It sticks to itself not the wound and can be a good covering for times when you need to keep it clean.

[vicky payne]

Use any honey, manuka has no health benefits over ordinary honey for external wounds but is expensive!
A muzzle is a good idea too, in the short term. Try to keep her feet dry as wetting often seems to worsen itching feet.

[PatG]

Thanks all for your suggestions and advice. The vet is getting some muzzles in tomorrow morning and I'm going to get one for her. I'll also apply the honey. I've ordered Vetwrap too. I'm going to try everything to try to get her to break the habit.

Despite all her medical issues, she is a delightful pup (but I suppose they all are) and tries her best. She doesn't appear to be in any discomfort though the pads look awful to me. I hope they repair and grow back in!

Thanks again
Pat

[Bogtrotter]

I am NOT a vet, and Vicky (who IS) may not think this is a good idea ( ) but what about that spray-on "plastic skin" ???

FIona

[vicky payne]

It could work, but ensure it won't cause problems if ingested!

[Rookie]

One of her pads was damaged - I think during the severe frost we had here a few weeks ago.

How certain are you that the original damage to her pad has led to the chewing, and not the other way around?

Despite all her medical issues,

Does she have medical problems apart from the paw?