torn dog pad paws

Question
hi nicole,

i took my boyfriend's border collie to the dog park today and he ran for nearly 2 hours and tore all of his pads on his paws.  they are not bleeding but obviously ripped off one layer of padding and they are red and he's limpling.  is there anything i can do to make him more comfortable and avoid infection?  any suggestions would be appreciated.

sincerely,
sandy

Answer
Hi Sandy!It will take 2 weeks for these pads to start healing. Rest the dog and keep him on soft surfaces like carpeting or foam.
As for the limping,if the dog had an injury of some type, then rest him. Try and confine the dog to a small padded area inside except to potty outside. Many orthopedic problems (other than fractures) heal with time. If the dog is in severe pain, then you may have to take him to a vet for some pain relief. Hope this helps!Nicole.D.