What is the vet looking for when he checks a dogs paws?

[Germanshepherdlova]

I took Brutus to a new vet today and really liked the vet. Brutus liked him too! During the exam the vet lifted each of Brutus' legs and looked between each paw pad. I have no idea what the vet was doing. Does anyone know why the vet would check his paws?

[NewbieShepherdGirl]

My guess would be to make sure there isn't anything harmful in them or that the pads aren't starting to crack a bit. I don't know if dogs are like sheep in this respect, but with sheep there's a....gland I don't think is right, but something of that nature that can become infected/clogged sometimes and you just squeeze like you would a zit to relieve that, so if dogs are the same way they may be checking for that.

[KZoppa]

a lot of vets will do it to check for possible infections, like yeast infections. Between the pads on a dogs food is the perfect breeding ground for yeast infections because its dark and can retain moisture. Also he could be checking for cracking on the pads which is another thing that can cause problems, makes it easier for the dog to injure themselves if their pad is cracked. Think like a skinned knee. anything rubbing against that knee is gonna hurt and your gonna limp to avoid having anything touch that sore spot. Riley has problems with cracking pads and has skinned himself up more than once doing very little.

[sharkey19]

Probably to check that there is nothing in there. Also to check that the dog hasn't been licking at them. They check the nails, feel the joints, check for pain, etc.

[sparra]

Here in Australia we have nasty grass seeds that get in between the toes of dogs and can actually penetrate the skin and travel and cause very bad abscesses in the toes. We used to routinely check between the toes primarily for this.
You seem to have a lot of ticks over there so perhaps they do it to check for ticks also.

[KZoppa]

should also say, dont ever be afraid to ask your vet why they're doing something. just like dont ever be afraid to ask your doctor why they're doing something.

[Germanshepherdlova]

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but he was at the vets to get some hotspots checked. The vet told me that the one on his chest was starting to become infected. Then he checked his paws. The doctor was very friendly and talkative-it just completely slipped my mind to ask him because I was distracted and then wondered about it later.

I was afraid that Brutus was going to send the tiny girl flying backwards (she was the assistant) and then fall off the table himself and that would not have been good because he would have been suspended in the air by his leash and prong. They have one of those cool exam tables that mechanically lowers to the floor so the dog can step on and then they raise it up-it also weighs him, pretty cool. But the girl looped his leash on the tie on the table rather loosely and Brutus wanted to get off the table.

I told the girl to let me stand in front of him but she didn't want to move. Brutus looked back at me imploringly and almost sent her toppling backwards so I told her that I insist on standing by him and to trade me spots. She finally did and do you know what my silly dog did? When I finally got up there near him he gave me his paw to shake right there on the exam table. We all laughed because it was as if he was saying thank-you for finally coming!

[KZoppa]

thats funny. She should have listened to you to begin with though. I take Shasta to get her nails cut at the petco because I hate doing it and her nails come out so ragged. I have to go back with her because she wont hold still for the guy. She just about hung herself one time trying to get where she could see me. She went to step over a little bit so she could see around the corner and SLIP! right off the table. She was a lot easier to catch last time but almost 70 lbs of her doing that now... not so much lol

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by sparra

Here in Australia we have nasty grass seeds that get in between the toes of dogs and can actually penetrate the skin and travel and cause very bad abscesses in the toes. We used to routinely check between the toes primarily for this.
You seem to have a lot of ticks over there so perhaps they do it to check for ticks also.

We have this too, or something like it called cheat-grass or foxtails.

Protecting Your Dog Against Foxtails | The Bark

[Stosh]

My vets know that Stosh is very active and they check for swelling or pain in the joints and they like to get him used to having his feet handled and his joints manipulated. I think most vets check for ticks, nail length, if the dog is chewing or licking the feet and toes.