First Aid for a Pet's Foot Injury
How to Help a Pet with an Injured Foot
Leg and foot injuries are among the most common traumatic injuries in pets and proper first aid can help prevent further damage until you can get to the vet.
Foot injuries are among the most common traumatic injuries suffered by pets, and understanding how to identify the type of injury and how to administer first aid following an injury can lead to a smooth, quick recovery.
“In a good percentage of foot and leg injuries, additional damage occurs after the actual trauma. And this makes treatment and recovery longer and more complex, so avoiding further injury is key,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.
Many pet owners mistakenly believe that it takes a significant accident or amount of force to result in a foot injury, but normal activities like running, jumping and playing can result in serious injuries like fractures, broken toe nails, and puncture wounds.
At the first sign of a foot injury, the first step is to visually assess the injury. Begin the exam by looking at the toenails for any breakage or cracks. A broken or cracked toenail can cause excruciating pain and significant bleeding, and in many cases, it’s necessary to put the animal under anesthesia to de-shell or trim back the damaged portion of nail to allow for proper healing.
If a toenail appears to be cracked or broken, trimming the toenail back slightly can help alleviate pain, particularly if the pet is in need of a nail clipping. This will help limit the damaged nail's contact with the ground while walking. Clip only the portion of nail beyond the quick, but keep in mind that the actual clipping will cause slight movement that will be momentarily painful, so muzzling may be necessary in pets who are prone to nipping.
Bleeding can be stopped with styptic powder. Corn starch or even flour can be used in the absence of styptic powder.
To help prevent infection, follow routine paw injury cleaning and disinfecting procedures and wrap the foot with rolled gauze and a self-adhering bandage to prevent contamination and to limit movement of the broken nail.
If the toenails appear to be okay, the next step is to check the foot and toes. Begin by visually examining the toes and paw pad. If all appears to be in order in terms of alignment, gently manipulate each toe, watching for any signs of pain or discomfort.
If the toes are not aligned normally, do not try to manipulate the foot or toes. Instead, splint the toes by wrapping the foot and ankle with several layers of gauze. If a fracture, dislocation or other serious injury is suspected, splinting the foot and ankle will help stabilize the toes, limiting movement that can potentially worsen the injury.
Also check between the toes and around the pads of the feet, as it’s not uncommon for splinters, glass and other sharp objects to become embedded in the foot.
If an object is found embedded in the foot, tweezers can be utilized to remove the object after softening the skin in a foot bath. Follow with routine paw pad injury procedures until a vet can examine the injury.
Following a fracture or other injury to the foot, swelling is to be expected. To help reduce swelling and pain, apply ice compresses to the foot area for 20 minute periods, several times a day. In the case of a broken or cracked nail, avoid applying ice directly to the injury site, as changes in temperature can be painful.
Cage rest, along with preventing running and jumping is also vital to recovery.
In the case of a foot or leg injury, a prompt visit to the vet is important to avoid further injury and pain. Following proper first-aid procedures can help decrease pain and promote healing in an injured pet.
