Do you have any tips to keep a bandage on a dogs paw?

Cone?

Bandaging the toe will only trap moisture (the pads of the feet are one of the few areas in which dogs can sweat), encouraging the growth of bacteria and promoting infection (obviously, licking does the same thing). When we deal with a torn toenail, we bandage it only long enough that the nail bed no longer bleeds, instructing owners to remove it after 12 hours. A much better option would be to purchase an Elizabethan collar to prevent the licking.

(Be aware, if you’re not familiar with bandaging techniques, it is possible to get it too tight or create a constriction that can impede blood flow and cause serious issues.)

I’d be surprised if any deterrent applications will be effective; many animals will ignore it, especially for something like a wound. Some of them are also alcohol based, which would sting.

Usually the vet sends them home with a big collar that prevents them from being able to access the injured part.

Dappled refers to it as a cone. It’s also called an Elizabethan Collar.

The only time it comes off is to allow her to eat or drink and then right back on.

Call your vet’s office. I’m sure they have one.

The other thing they use to wrap wounded paws with is a type of stretchy, grippy tape which sticks to itself and can be re-used. It typically comes in bright colors and you can use enough layers and as far up the leg as necessary to keep her from being able to get it off. It’s pretty easy for a human to unwrap it layer by layer but obviously animals don’t have that type of dexterity.

If cats can’t get it off, it’s doubtful a dog could.

I just read @syz answer. Follow her advice.

I didn’t realize about the moisture.

Maybe put a sock on the foot?

Just went through that with a foster dog.

I’d be wary of painting her nails. I would definitely ask a vet first and it is very possible that she will just keep on licking.

There are boots for dogs, which will at least not be as easily removable…It does seem like a cone would be the best option, though, especially considering what @syz said. However, have a look at these alternatives to the standard cone. We have what is called E-Soft-Collar for our lab, and while the regular cone made her miserable, she doesn’t mind that one.

He didn’t put a collar on her or suggest it. Maybe because when the other dog had to wear one he went around smacking his head against walls, doors and anything else until he got it off! Other than that, no idea why he didn’t suggest it.

It’s not on too tight. We’re aware of that. I’d be happy to leave it off but she licked it until it was bleeding during the night. I’ll try to keep an eye on her today and just keep rousing on her when she licks it.

Murphy’s Law, we’re going away on Sunday so we won’t be here to manage her toe incident. This dog, despite having her nails clipped, is prone to toe incidents.

Thanks everyone. It was a long shot. I thought someone might have a magic solution.

Did you look at the link from @longgone?

There are some pretty comfy alternatives to the standard Eliz. Collar that are almost miraculous.

PS. All dogs are different just like all humans are individual. What doesn’t work for one might very well be just fine for another. Dogs differ greatly in their response to a collar like this.

And some of the alternatives pictures on the page in that link looked very comfortable.

I get that @Buttonstc. I was really just summising about why he didn’t suggest a collar. He may just not have felt it was necessary or he forgot! She’s leaving it alone at the moment. It’s more when we all go to bed that she goes into a licking frenzy.

“Smacking his head against walls” – exactly. Nasty things. I’ve loaned our soft collar to injured dogs multiple times, and all the owners have afterwards decided to get their own. If you lived closer, I’d lend you mine :/

For my foster dog, the vet recommended wrapping the paw in cotton wool to absorb any moisture. Don’t know about that. She did also say not to leave it on longer than a couple of days.

How about the self adhesive tape and a muzzle. I hate them, but it would keep her from being able to pull off the tape with her teeth. It’s probably itching. I’d want to scratch it too.

@longgone, I will definitely check out those collars. My boy really did not take to the idea of wearing a plastic collar and you never know when you might need one. He got it off! It was decimated.

I might put something on her paw overnight to stop her licking it to bits then.

@Adirondackwannabe, she’s naughty so she has to wear a muzzle when we have visitors but yes, that’s a good idea if she keeps worrying it overnight. We want it to be reasonably healed before we go and we definitely don’t want it to become infected. I don’t like muzzles either and she can really put on the ‘puppy eyes’. Makes me feel so evil when I make her wear hers.