Blue Merle Collie

[GK1991]

My Full pedigree blue merle collie will be 4 this september he is the most placid,content dog ever, He lives with me my mum and her 2 Pomeranians and hes ace with them, Question iswe have a large back yard and he freely get sin and out but i havent vbeen walking him as much outwith the back garden reason bien when we walk him even if its just 15-30 mins  his paw pads end up splitting causing bleeding and they  graze badly, and he struggles to walk for a fw days after hopping and limping because there so sore, is he lacking a supplemnet or is there anything i can buy to stop this as i love walking him for miles up hills etc but i cantdo this as he ends up sore. ???? please help

[fredwunder]

My blue merle collie had pad splitting last winter, and I was able to treat it very successfully and almost instantly with an ointment that I use on my own feet called Profoot Care Heel Rescue Superior Moisturizing Foot Cream.  It's made in the US but can be bought online at amazon.co.uk.  It was amazing how it just made the problem go away.

[tonyb286]

Hi. In addition to what Ghilly has mentioned, I think there are three potential causes, which you will need to try to identify and deal with one by one. The first are any irritants that are able to get onto his paws and cause inflamation, such as household items you may use on your floors, carpets, etc., or outside in the garden area. The second is a lack of the right minerals and vitamins in his diet, which is worth checking with your vet. And the third potential cause is a genetic abnormality, which you would have to treat and manage probably for life. Again, this is worth checking with your vet. The problem is you could spend a small fortune on treating the symptoms, without actually dealing with the cause - resulting in frequent re-occurence. Good luck and do let us know how you get on. Tony

[GK1991]

We have done our research and there seems to be a wax you can dip the paws in before walking we will try this, We live in scotland but regardless the season and weather it still happens, I will get him righ to a vet if this wax doesnt work,

Thanks all

[Ghilly]

Hyperkeratosis will cause the paw pads to be sore and to crack.  Hyperkeratosis is an abnormal thickening of the outer layer of skin.  There is an ointment called Bag Balm that is helpful in treating this, but if that doesn't work there is a French product called Bio Balm  that works  extremely well to treat the condition.  There is also a prescription for eczema called Protopic that has proven to also be helpful in treating it.  

Ghilly

[Margot49]

If his pads are splitting, I would not be walking him.  My question/concern would be why are his pads splitting in such a short amount of time.  You might want to have your Vet check him out.  You can use Vasaline or Bag Balm and wrap the feet.  First try washing them in mild soap and water then rinse and dry well.  Use a hair dryer. If he will tolerate it.
You in a cold, snowy or icy area?  Not walking on salt?

[GK1991]

Thank You

[BluCrystal]

You can purchase dog booties at any good pet store.  And its okay to apply neosporin to his feet. :)