Bump in between toes

[7121548]

I noticed that Dozer has a small bump in between his toes on his right back paw. He moves away from me when I try to touch it, so I'm guessing it might be a little painful for him. I was able to stick a hydrogen peroxide soaked cotton ball in it in this morning just to kill any bacteria in there since it looked kind of moist. He is walking normally and doesn't lick or bite the spot at all. I googled what it could be, and it looks like an interdigital cyst/furuncle. It's also possible like a shard of glass got in there since we do walk around in the city. Can someone help identify what it is? Is this something that requires a vet visit, or can I treat this at home? Thank you!

 

[Boxergirl]

It looks like the interdigital furuncles my Leo used to get. Our vet recommended very warm epsom salt soaks and keeping the area as dry as possible between soaks. That last is hard to do because they are kind of weepy. I soaked several times a day and gently manipulated the area when it came to a head. Once the pus was released it usually healed up fairly quickly. I don't know exactly what caused it for Leo, but it was a problem that he had repeatedly. I know it was painful to him and I think making sure to keep between his toes/pads dry after a walk helped some. Maybe not though, as they did always come back and not always in the same area.

 

[7121548]

Thank you, Boxergirl! That's helpful. I'll have to pick up some epson salt and get those paws soaking. I do wipe his paws with baby wipes every time we come home from a walk, so maybe the moisture from that contributed to the problem. Do you think rubbing alcohol would be ok to put on the bump to dry it out quickly between soaks?

 

[Boxergirl]

It definitely needs to drain. Leo's never healed until they drained and that bump looks like it's draining or will be soon. Get the water as hot as you can. I think alcohol would burn and I'm not sure how dry it would really keep it as they do tend to remain moist. (I hate the word moist, btw. It grosses me out. Lol) We never used antibiotics because his cleared up without them. If it doesn't clear up, or looks worse, then I'd have the vet take a look at it.

 

[7121548]

Ok, thank you! I'll get the epsom salt and see what happens. Hopefully it'll clear up soon!

 

[Lisa P]

Has he been walking anywhere that he could have picked up a grass seed?

 

[Jakesmum]

Jake get's those too. His are caused by ingrown hair and our dermatologist sees this a lot with these breeds because of their short coat. What Boxergirl has said is great for treatment, just keep an eye on it, if it's not healing then you may need to see the vet.

 

[7121548]

Has he been walking anywhere that he could have picked up a grass seed?

We only walk on pavement, so a grass seed is pretty unlikely. If it is a grass seed, it must've been there for a while because he hasn't stepped foot on grass for over a month. I wasn't able to look at it very well since he keeps walking away.

 

[7121548]

Jake get's those too. His are caused by ingrown hair and our dermatologist sees this a lot with these breeds because of their short coat. What Boxergirl has said is great for treatment, just keep an eye on it, if it's not healing then you may need to see the vet.

Thank you. It's good to know it's probably nothing urgent, but I will be monitoring it as closely as I can. Is there any way to prevent ingrown hairs before they happen? Or will an epsom salt soak on occasion do the job?

 

[Jakesmum]

Thank you. It's good to know it's probably nothing urgent, but I will be monitoring it as closely as I can. Is there any way to prevent ingrown hairs before they happen? Or will an epsom salt soak on occasion do the job?

I haven't found a way to stop them, just keeping the area clean and dry has helped a lot. Jake has a lot of other issues with allergies so the medications he on is helping him and keeping the interdigital cycsts away, his were on all his paws and was quite a mess.

 

[7121548]

I haven't found a way to stop them, just keeping the area clean and dry has helped a lot. Jake has a lot of other issues with allergies so the medications he on is helping him and keeping the interdigital cycsts away, his were on all his paws and was quite a mess.

Glad you were able to get it under control! It seems like those bumps are painful. I checked all of Dozer's other paws and they were fine. I'm hoping it's just a one time thing.

 

[TricAP]

Do you think Dozer would tolerate booties? That might help keep the paws a little less dirty in your urban adventures and dry also. Hope the sweet guy feels better soon!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[7121548]

I'm not sure how he'd feel about the booties. He doesn't like being fussed with a whole lot. I'll look for a set on Amazon and maybe I can try some out. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[DennasMom]

For booties - I like the meshies by Barko.
Not too expensive, and they stay on well, too.
Summer Indoor Dog Meshies by Barko Booties - Blue

 

[7121548]

Thank you! Does Denna wear XXL? Is the sole durable? I was looking into ones with a leather sole because I was thinking a fabric sole might rip, but these look ok too.

 

[pamlahall]

I haven't found a way to stop them, just keeping the area clean and dry has helped a lot. Jake has a lot of other issues with allergies so the medications he on is helping him and keeping the interdigital cycsts away, his were on all his paws and was quite a mess.

I have a mastic he's 6 y/o his name is Raven !we have been fighting these interdigital cyst for a couple of years ... what medication is Jake on that helps ?

 

[Boxergirl]

I have a mastic he's 6 y/o his name is Raven !we have been fighting these interdigital cyst for a couple of years ... what medication is Jake on that helps ?

I just heard something today from a long time, very responsible breeder of boxers about these. She says that vicks vapo rub on the bump several times a day speeds healing and helps keep them away. All of my boxers, except the two I have now, have had problems with interdigital cysts and I've never heard this before. Might be something to try if you can keep them from licking it off.

 

[Jakesmum]

I have a mastic he's 6 y/o his name is Raven !we have been fighting these interdigital cyst for a couple of years ... what medication is Jake on that helps ?

Currently I have Jake on a maintenance dose of Atopica and Ketoconozole. He gets a dose every 3 days, we are going to see if we can take it down to every 4 days. Medications are not the best way to go if you can get it under control naturally, but in Jake's case he has a lot of other issues along with the interdigital cysts and it is helping him.