Paw problems are one of the most common causes of limping we see at Sandringham Veterinary Hospital in Bayside.
Living close to the beach and local parks means our dogs spend plenty of time running on sand, grass and walking tracks—and occasionally stepping on things they shouldn’t.
Cuts and Paw Injuries
Cuts to the paw are very common around Bayside.
We regularly see injuries caused by:
- Sharp shells and rocks at the beach.
- Pieces of broken glass.
- Small shards of metal.
- Torn or broken nails.
Even a small cut can be painful because dogs are putting their full body weight through their paws with every step.
Grass Seeds
Grass seeds are another common problem, particularly during the warmer months.
They can become lodged between the toes and work their way underneath the skin, causing pain, swelling and sometimes infection.
A dog that suddenly starts licking between its toes or limping after a walk may have a grass seed.
Bites and Stings
Dogs occasionally step on bees or other insects while walking through grass.
This can cause sudden pain and swelling of the paw and may cause your dog to suddenly start limping during a walk.
We also see bite wounds to the feet from time to time.
Broken Bones
Although less common, dogs can also fracture the small bones of the toes or paw.
These injuries can cause significant pain, swelling and reluctance to put weight on the leg. X-rays may be needed to identify the fracture.
Nail Bed Problems
Most nail injuries are simple broken or damaged nails.
Very occasionally, however, a persistent problem affecting a single nail or toe can be caused by cancer of the nail bed.
A nail that repeatedly breaks, bleeds, becomes swollen or doesn’t heal should always be investigated.
Is Your Dog Limping or Licking Its Paw?
If your dog suddenly starts limping, checking the paw is a good place to start.
Look between the toes, underneath the paw and around each nail for cuts, swelling or anything that may have become lodged in the foot.
At Sandringham Veterinary Hospital in Bayside Melbourne, paw injuries are something we see every week, particularly in dogs enjoying our local beaches and parks.
📞 If your dog is limping, licking its paw or has a paw injury that isn’t improving, contact Sandringham Veterinary Hospital for an assessment.