Some of the most common factors that contribute to the onset of paw pad hyperkeratosis in dogs include: Genetics While the main cause of their condition is not always obvious, there are a few common factors that are known to contribute to the development of hyperkeratosis in our canine friends. In many cases of paw pad hyperkeratosis, there is not a concrete cause of their condition. Though keratin is essential in creating healthy skin, too much keratin is never a good thing.Īn overgrowth of keratin will result in a rough surface that easily collects bacteria, as well as the increased risk of cracking in dry regions. In both humans and dogs alike, keratin is the main protein that makes up the barrier of the skin. This rough exterior will often appear dry and cracked, almost having the appearance of tiny bristles. So, please also include full diagnostic laboratory testing if your companion is diagnosed as having a bacterial or other infection.The term hyperkeratosis refers to an overgrowth of skin cells on the surface of a dog’s skin.ĭogs with hyperkeratosis will have a build up of rough tissue on the surface of their nose or paws, while dogs free of the condition will simply have a thin layer of tough skin. Presenting signs can help veterinarians narrow down what diagnostic tests to run on the affected animal.Īs a pet companion caregiver, please pay attention to excessive paw licking the best thing to do is to check your dog’s paws daily for:Ĭlearly, treatment depends upon the diagnosis.Īs we have expressed concern in previous articles, many conditions are often misdiagnosed as bacterial because the proper tests were not run or a bacterial infection is secondary to a larger systemic issue. Obesity (a sign of chronic cellular inflammation).Environmental – Trauma from concrete and gravel dog runs, excessive exercise or running on hard surfaces, clipper burn, grass awns, foreign bodies like foxtails.Tumors – Squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, mast cell tumor, keratoacanthoma, inverted papilloma.Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism).All four feet are commonly involved, especially the footpads and nailbeds. Immune-mediated – Signs are typically crusts (scabs), ulcerations and occasional blisters.

Food sensitivity and intolerance (e.g.Other Examples of Causes of Paw Inflammation

Breeds with this type of paw shape, or conformation, include Labrador retrievers, English bulldogs, German shepherds and Pekingese. Breeds with this type of hair coat include English bulldogs, Great Danes, Basset hounds, mastiffs, bull terriers and boxers.ĭogs with wider paws can be more likely to bear weight on the haired skin between the pads because the paws splay out upon standing. Dogs with a short and coarse hair coat may be more likely to have inflamed and ruptured follicles. From there, the fungus spreads around the body and can cause skin or paw lesions.īreed type pre-disposition is very important with this condition. Dogs also can get blastomycosis through contact, but this is rare. The fungus normally enters the body from inhalation from the spores. The fungus causing blastomycosis lives mainly around the area of the United States and Canada surrounding the Great Lakes, and the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys. This could be true, but sometimes the microbe is systemic and the manifestation on the paw has occurred by other means.īlastomycosis, a potentially serious fungal infection, is a good example. You may think paw bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections are from contact. However, veterinarians have broken these down into several categories. The causes of paw inflammation can be due to multiple diseases and conditions. However, one or more follicular cysts in the paw exist as an actual syndrome that could be a subtype of interdigital furuncles or a separate disease.īut, that is just one example to demonstrate why diagnosis and knowing the potential factors for paw inflammation are clinically important. We know it is a furuncle because that is how it looks under a microscope. Interdigital furuncles are often referred to by the misnomer of “interdigital cysts”. Paw inflammation ranges from reddened paws to interdigital furuncles. The medical name for paw inflammation in dogs is canine pododermatitis. However, dog paw inflammation can also be a sign of a more complicated problem. Oftentimes, when dog companion parents notice something a bit odd about their companion dog’s paws, they assume the dog stepped in, walked through, or got something lodged in the paws.

Dog paw pad swollen