Hi! Hope to get some opinions here. I had noticed that many crazy high drive GSD whom usually will run in circles while at kennel tend to develop soft pad (not all) and many even bleed and blisteres from uneven ware from abrasion with the concrete floor. I had also seen one 2 year old male whom to me initially looked suspicious of hips problem when in motion but are all right after x-ray but instead are cause by uneven thinning on the hind legs pads developed into him giving a weird movement in motion.

Have anyone experienced these? Many articles on these relates it to genetics of soft pads but I do think running in circles at high speed while at kennel does prematurely ware the pads off especially in puppy.

My question is.

1) Is there any cure or treetment?

2) Anyway to prevent it?

3) If it is indeed genetics, how do we identify it while still in 8 weeks puppy?

4) How does this effect its SCHH careers?

Thanks.

Hi James,

A friend of mine advised me to use salt water to harden the pads. I take my dog running and I have the same problem. Mostly because we run on hard surfaces more than I would like. I don't make her run as much as I'd like to so that I can keep her pads in good condition.

Add salt to the water until it won't disolve (saturate it) and then put the dog's pads in the water. It makes them harder.

Also I would use a different floor. It doesn't take long for a dog's pads to get worn off on a rough surface if they run (straight or in circles).

I've read on this forum it is a good idea to use cow matts. I don't know what they are, I suppose thick rubber matts. They are used to prevent calluses, but I guess it can help you with the pads too.

Just a few ideas.

Best regards,
Pedro.

Hi Pedro,

It's not my dog having problem but a friends puppy. I felt sorry for it cause this puppy have a very great drive but due the sore on the pads I believe will dampen it's SCH capabilities.

About the Salt solution I'm not sure. Do you do those before the pads got worned out or when there are signs of wearing?

Other than salt solution are there any commercially available medication for this?

About the flooring, smooth surface will cause other problems if the dog cannot get a good traction and matt's will be hard to clean especially if the puppy is not housebroken. Anyone can help on describing what's a cow matt?

Also, soft pad is a genetic fault but genetical hard pad too will ware off on abrasive hard surface isn't it? Or am I wrong. Appreciate any comments from experienced board members.

While there are commercial pad tougheners out there I think a better idea would be to change the kennel surface. If concrete is a problem how about trying gravel? It generally has a little more give to it. Foot toughness tends to be inherited and the only way to get it for sure is to select for it in choosing breeding stock.

My bitch's pads were really tender after training a few days ago. She was limping pretty badly, so I put some Bag Balm on her pads. I don't know if it was the right thing to do, but it sure seemed to soothe the pain. She stopped limping almost right away.

Lynn,

Thanks. I do go along with you that something needs to be done with the surface. I'm now trying to see different options of flooring for my own kennel which is both suitable for the dog(not slippery) and easy to maintain n clean. BTW, do you happen to have the name of the commercial toughtener? Does it really work? Anyone whom uses it can share opinions here?

Lisa, what's a Bag Balm? some kind of pain relief medications?

Thanks.

Bag Balm is an all-purpose good for man or beast ointment originally developed for dairy cow udders - hence the "bag" in the name. Not expensive and a good item to have in your vet kit for any dings, scrapes,cracks or irritations. You can get tougheners like Tough Foot from any of the vet supply places like Jeffers or KV but I prefer Happy Jack Pad Kote which is a good all purpose foot preparation. Stains like heck though so make sure it is dry before you let your dog in the house!(I got mine from Jeffers). Zinc Gluconate supplementation is used alot for sled dogs with poor feet and many mushers swear by it - you can get products like Zinpro or buy it in a more bulk format(cheaper) from mushing supplier like
http://www.howlingdogalaska.com
Some ground or snow conditions require booties even for dogs with good feet so also check out http://www.dogbooties.com for booties. They are cheap and also a good thing to have a couple in your vet or emergency kit just in case. Mushers have a saying "No foot - no dog" and I think it would apply just as much to any working dog. I hope some of this is of use to you - happy trails!