What Are the Treatment Methods for Chemical Pododermatitis in Dogs?

When a dog's toes come into contact with irritating or corrosive acids, alkalis, or other chemicals, it causes redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the toes, followed by inflammatory exudate; in severe cases, infection leads to ulcers and affects the dog's normal walking function.

Case 1: The affected dog's appetite was basically normal, its mental state was fair, its hind limbs were weak when walking, and its right hind limb would often be lifted off the ground quickly after touching down, as if the sole had been punctured by a sharp object. Clinical examination: The toes of the right hind limb were obviously swollen, and palpation was painful. No signs of puncture by a foreign object were found on the soles, but the foot pads of all four limbs showed varying degrees of epidermal peeling. During the consultation, the owner mentioned that a large amount of quicklime had been piled up where the dog often exercised.

Treatment: The dog's activity should be restricted to avoid further contact with quicklime; the affected limb should be washed with 1%-2% potassium permanganate; penicillin should be injected intramuscularly at 40,000 IU/kg body weight, twice a day. After 4 days, the affected dog's walking returned to normal.

Case 2: The affected dog had been ill for more than 10 days, with reduced food intake, a body temperature of 40.6°C, inflammatory exudate on the toes, unwillingness to walk, and moist toe prints left on the ground when walking. Examination showed catarrhal inflammation of the toes of all four limbs, but no surface wounds were seen; the toes were red, swollen, and moist, the soles were flushed, and the dog resisted being touched below the lower legs. The owner reported that hydrofluoric acid liquid had once been spilled on the ground where the affected dog often exercised.

Treatment: The owner was advised to flush the area with clean water; the affected limb was washed with 1%-2% potassium permanganate; penicillin was injected intramuscularly at 40,000 IU/kg body weight, twice a day; diphenhydramine hydrochloride 1 mL was injected twice a day. After 3 days of medication, appetite returned to normal, the redness and swelling began to subside, and the exudate decreased. Diphenhydramine was discontinued, and antibiotics were continued to prevent infection. After 9 days, the dog's walking had basically returned to normal.