Should you wrap a paw that has a hotspot on it between the pads

[woodsprite]

to keep the dog from licking it? Or would that make it worse because of locking in the moisture?

Noelle is licking it incessantly, she even sneaks licks at it while watching us. At first we thought she had cut it on the ice/hard snow, but turns out it's a hot spot between the pads. We've been putting the GentaSooth spray on it that the vet prescribed. She hates anybody doing anything with her paws. The vet tried to cut the hair away, but she was having none of that. At lunch, my daughter (after washing the paw w/ soap/water) wadded up a piece of paper towel sprayed with the GentaSooth, wedged it between Noelle's paw pads and held it there until we were done eating lunch. Noelle seemed to not mind it since I would pass a bit of cheese her way every now/then while we ate, but we can't be doing that every meal.

Any ideas?

[hollysmom]

1. if you don't want to wrap it, you can use the collar

they have some new ones that look like the collars you personally can use to sleep on airplanes, the inflatable things,

[woodsprite]

2. Oh, I didn't know about those.

Maybe that would work better than the "cone of shame" for her. I swear she's a beautiful smart GSD, but when I put that cone on her, the brain cells disconnect somehow and she can't maneuver around our house -- can't go upstairs or walk through the kitchen or doorways. Then she just stands there looking really sad instead of trying to figure it out.

Maybe they have them at Concord Pet. I have to stop by there tonight after work since she is almost out of treats and Yak sticks. I'll have to take a look.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Could this be from road salt?

Any time mine get on the street at this time of year, they end up licking their paws incessantly because of the stuff that's spread by the road crews.
It might be a good idea to rinse the paws, keep your dog from walking on the street, or get booties.

[irisblue]

4. Cone of shame idea

You can turn it so it no longer looks like a martini glass, the more open area is over the shoulders, this has worked for princess peanut. She has her full vision, but she cannot her head enough to lick anything.

[shenmue]

5. Dr. Tinycat prescribes a ton of hugs and kisses.

That should do it!

[woodsprite]

6. Oh, she has been getting lots of cuddles and lots of treats.

Actually more like being wedged between my daughter on the floor holding her paw with the meds and me feeding her a constant stream of treat crumbs to keep her laying down. She's 80 lbs and strong as the devil. If she doesn't want to lay down, there is not much that will get her or keep her there, so the treats and attention are doing it.

We took her to her favorite doggy daycare today and showed them her paw before we let her go back. They said they'd keep an eye on her and try to keep her distracted when she wasn't actively playing. They did say that at nap time she's so exhausted she just flops down on her bed and sleeps for 2 hrs.

The backwards collar worked ok, although I took it off for her to sleep. Even though we trimmed it down a bit for her comfort, it still looked awkward for her to sleep in. BUT, she was able to negotiate the kitchen and going up the stairs.

[shenmue]

7. Squee!

Hope she's all right soon.