Question:
So I've been to the vet about this, and I'm going back on Wednesday, but I was just wondering if anyone has ever dealt with anything similar.

Streets gets these sores, on the edge of the toe pads, that are pretty impossile to heal. They're not open sores, more blister like, but not filled with liquid. They're almost like when you get a new pair of shoes and one spot on your foot gets red, irritated and a bit swollen.

He doesn't lick them, so that's not the problem. Perhaps they're caused by walking on concrete most of the time? The nails of the next toe rubbing the area? Or a slightly uneven gait?

I guess I'm just looking for suggestions of how to get them to heal or an experiences people might have with something similar.

Answer:
Hi, there was a similar discussion not long ago, maybe there is something here that might help.

Answer:
THere are several different possiblities nail bed infection, fungal, pemphigus SLO, you'll need to see a vet or vet derkmalogist to determine what is the problem, if the vet suspects pemphigus SLO(early stages are blistering and sores around toenails. later toenails will crack , crumble, skin seperates away from nail and nails fall off, new nails are often deformed and funky looking) after rulling out other stuff they may want to amputate a toe for testing, some feel if the other stuff has been ruled out it does not make sense to amputate but instead to just begin treatment there are 2 forms of treatment, prednisone(steroids) for life or Modern treatments include the use of essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements, antibiotic treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide (nicotinamide)

more SLO info here plus a support group http://www.bloodaxe.demon.co.uk/SLO.html

Answer:
Thanks, both of you.

Ontario Greys, the sores aren't in the nail area. One is along the back of a toe pad, the other on the side. His nails seem fine, and one sore also occured last winter, went away once he started wearing boots outside, then came back this summer.

They really sort of seem like their caused by uneven pressure being put on his feet, but how does one even begin deal with that really? Or it could be something totally different that I"m just not identifying, but hopefully the vet will have some ideas today.

Answer:
Good luck at the vet...keep us posted.

Answer:
Good luck.

Answer:
Well, the vet wasn't too worried. She thought that at the very worst it was related to an immune system problem, but that even in that case, if they were the only symptom, she wouldn't feel that any available treatements were worth the side effects.

She suggested we try using Penaten, a zinc cream, and so far it seems to be helping, so hopefully that takes care of it.

I still think they're caused by uneven pressure being placed on his feet, as the hair is much more worn down on those sides of his paws, but I guess there is nothing to be done about that.

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