Growths on dog’s front paw pads

Hello,
From the photos you submitted of your male dog’s front feet/toe pads, the ‘growths’ you are describing appear to be fungal ‘excresences’.

Definitely NOT to be treated surgically… they are more likely to be due to either superficial fungal or yeast type infection, although in the last photo there may be some bacterial involvement.

You asked whether this could be due to a weakened immune system. If your dog has been on a poor diet, for example a DRY DOG FOOD, all of his life, combined with too many vaccinations, this would compromise his immune system and certainly make him more susceptible to skin problems.

At this point, I would suggest that you use a vinegar ‘foot’ bath for him. One to two times daily, for each front foot. Keep a close watch on the hind feet, as this might also occur on the back feet too.

You will need to soak each foot for 5 minutes or so, then dry without rinsing off the vinegar. If the odor is TOO strong, then dilute the ‘foot bath’ 50-50 vinegar and water. This will need to be done for at least 3 weeks.

A homeopathic remedy that will help is called Thuya occidentalis. You can buy this in dry pellet form at Health Food stores in 6c potency. You can give him one pellet by mouth TWO times daily for 3 weeks.

You are not supposed to touch the pellets with your fingers. The container is made so that you can pour one pellet into the lid, then (for a human), you would put it into your mouth to dissolve under the tongue.

In my patients, it is sometimes easier to dissolve one pellet into a 1 or 2 oz dropper bottle in Spring Water. Succuss the bottle (hit the bottom of the bottle against the palm of your other hand) 20 times, before each dose. In this way you’d be giving it in a liquid form into his mouth with the eye dropper.

To improve the diet, check our page on 10 Best Dog food options. Consider gradually changing from a DRY dog food, to a canned or RAW diet.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO

At 6 years of age, consider having a holistic veterinarian write an exemption form to decrease (or stop) the frequency of any future vaccinations.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Warts,
– Dog Skin Conditions,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Warts, Cysts and Strange Growths Section