UNDER THE WEATHER Common Paw Problems

Red, itchy paws are one of the most common problems a vet encounters in practice. Your pet’s paws are thick enough to act as protection and cushion their bones and joints from regular stress. Proper paw health is not simply important, it’s a necessity. Identify the root cause of the problem before treating it.

- DR SANGEETA VENGSARKAR SHAH

Inflamed and itchy paws can be due to allergies, infection, ticks and fleas, food sensitivity, ingrown nails, chemical burns or physical injuries due to thorns and stones, walking on hot pavements and a myriad other causes. Paw problems can manifest as excessive licking and biting of paws, discharge or bleeding, redness of paws, smelly paws, cysts or growths between webs of paws, hair loss, limping or cracked paws. Management of paw problems involves a vet visit to diagnose the problem accurately before treatment is initiated.