paw pads

Question
I have a 2 yr old siberian husky. I was recently checking her paws and her pad that isnt on her foot but on the back of her knee is the best way i can discribe it(!)is hair like, like strands of very very corse hair, wondering why this is.?(She's never had this before)

Answer

Hi Charlotte,

Dogs don't have a pad at their knee joint. The carpal pad is essentially the same as the pads on the underside of your dog's paws, except that it's higher up on the leg (if a dog had a wrist, that's where the carpal pad is located) they are located only on the front legs, not the back legs.

It's possible what you're seeing is a callus. A callus is an area of thickened skin that generally develops where there is little or no muscle or fat to act as a cushion between the skin and the bone.  Calluses on dogs appear as gray, hairless areas usually on places like the elbow.  Calluses are the body's natural reaction to prolonged pressure on the skin.   If your dog lies on a hard surface for long periods of time, she can develop calluses. They are most often found in large, heavy dogs and are generally just an aesthetic problem.

A bed, folded blanket or cushion that is at least 3" thick should provide sufficient cushioning to prevent calluses from forming. If your dog has developed callouses, try placing another dog bed or several folded up blankets on top of her bed. You can also try rubbing a little Vaseline into the area to help soften it.

I hope I've been a help,
Best of luck,

Patti