Many pet parents know that ice and snow can be uncomfortable for a dog’s paws. But as one unlucky Golden Retriever discovered, dangers are lurking underfoot during the summer, as well.
Recently, Olaf was admitted to Medical Lake Veterinary Hospital in Washington state with severely burned paw pads.
“Olaf walked over a mile on the Fish Trap Trail before his owner realized his pads were burned, and even then he wasn't whining or limping. He is one tough cookie,” the hospital shared in a Facebook post. “A good rule of thumb is if the pavement is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dogs' pads.”
Thankfully, Olaf is on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery.
While hot pavement can cause burns, these injuries aren’t common.
“Most dogs become acclimated to progressively warmer weather through the spring and early summer during daily walks,” says Dr. Lauren Jones, a veterinarian in Philadelphia. “Paws ‘toughen up’ with the rising temperatures and warmer sidewalks, and most dogs do not experience any discomfort or injury.”
However, burns can occur on longer walks, such as Olaf’s, or if a dog isn’t accustomed to walking outside in hot temperatures. If your dog experiences burnt paws, Jones recommends the following:
Contact your veterinarian. Paw burns are a medical emergency. “The dog should be urgently taken to the veterinarian,” says Jones. “As the outer tissue layers are damaged, the protective barrier that prevents infection is removed, so the paw pad can become infected.”
Apply cool compresses. As you await transport to your vet, compresses can help alleviate pain. “Applying cool—but not overly cold—wet compresses to the burns is helpful," says Jones.
Do not self-treat. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe topical and oral medications to help manage your dog’s pain and infection. However, prior to seeking veterinary care, it’s important to not use any over-the-counter treatments.
Most paw pad injuries occur when a dog runs and rapidly turns on rough surfaces, such as asphalt, for extended periods of time. “For these ‘weekend warrior’ dogs, booties can be helpful to protect the paw pads from injury,” says Jones.