Use Paw Balms, Pastes and Butters
Paw balms provide a coating of protection. When you make them yourself look for natural ingredients that are dog-friendly and edible.
Ingredients For Homemade Balms
Here are ingredients to look for in prepared balms … or to use in your own balms:
- Lavender – helps support a normal inflammatory response
- Chamomile – supports cellular health
- Frankincense – is a disinfectant and astringent that may heal boils, wounds and supports a normal inflammatory response
- Sea Buckthorn – high in antioxidants, and vitamins C and E and may help heal burns & wounds.
Here’s a recipe that makes 4 x 4 ounce jars so you can also halve or quarter the recipe.
Homemade Protective Paw Balm
Slowly melt oils and wax together on the stove. Gently stir in the essential oils. Then pour into jars. Cool and store in a cool location. Rub onto paws as needed. To drip between toes, melt a bit at a time in a container in hot water. Try to keep your dog distracted from licking it for 15 minutes or more to give it time to absorb.
These foot baths can also help the healing process.
Try to soak your dog’s paws every few days to help healing.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Soak Apple cider vinegar may restrict the growth of bacteria like E. coli, S. aureus (staph infection) and yeast like C. albicans (candida).
Add 1 cup of ACV to a bucket of warm water. Soak paws for 30 seconds, dry and apply the foot powder.
Iodine Dip Iodine disinfects wounds, and will treat yeast overgrowth caused by constant licking or chewing. Add enough iodine to a bucket of warm water to turn it the color of tea. Soak paws for 30 seconds, dry and apply the foot powder. Iodine is non-toxic for dogs so don’t worry if your dog licks his feet.
Baking Soda Rinse Add 1-2 tbsp of baking soda to a gallon of warm water. Rinse your dog’s feet in it to remove allergens he might pick up from a walk or a hike. It also helps promote skin health.
Herbal Tea Rinse All-natural herbal teas are healing when added to your dog’s foot bath.
Make a foot bath of these teas separately or combined: chamomile, sage, echinacea, goldenseal or decaffeinated green tea. They have mild astringents that may help heal sores or wounds … plus antioxidant properties to help support skin health. Use a few tea bags to a gallon of warm water, or the ACV soak, and allow to steep. Rinse your dog’s paws for 30 seconds, then air-dry.
Here are some causes of interdigital cysts so you’ll know what to watch for in the future.
Home Treatment For Interdigital Cysts In Dogs
You can definitely avoid toxic drugs when trying a home treatment. Below are some natural methods to manage interdigital cysts in dogs:
Step 1: Magnesium can help rid the body of toxins and may also reduce swelling and stiffness. And the best source of magnesium is Epsom salts. Soak your dog’s paws in an Epsom salts bath to open the skin. It will also draw out a foreign body that might be causing the problem.
You can make a foot bath using 1 cup of Epsom salts in a gallon of warm water. Soak your dog’s paws for 10 minutes so have lots of treats and affection standing by.
Step 2: Then you want to clean your dog’s feet with an organic shampoo. Castile soap is a good option. Use about an ounce. Then add ONLY 1-2 drops of an essential oil like garlic, oregano, clove, cinnamon or myrrh (choose one).
Step 3: Now you want to rinse your dog with a conditioner. Make it using 1 oz of almond oil, 1/2 tsp of vitamin E, and 2 drops of myrrh essential oil. Add in some ground organic oats to make it a bit creamy. Using the natural oils in the oatmeal, you’ll be moisturizing dry, cracked paws. This also helps support a normal inflammatory response and support skin health.
Step 4: Next you can dry the paws with your own homemade foot powder. You can use a combination of organic oats or Bentonite clay. Use equal amounts. The high sodium and calcium content will draw out infections and bacteria.
You can also add just a drop or 2 of an essential oil mentioned earlier … along with some vitamin E oil. But keep it powdery. Sprinkle between the affected toes. The clay will help protect against environmental toxins and dry out the wound.
Interdigital cysts, interdigital furunculosis, and follicular pododermatitis are all big words that mean the same thing
Interdigital furuncles, which are often referred to as interdigital cysts, are nodules and lesions located in the interdigital webbing between a dog’s toes. These lesions are areas of deep pyoderma that may be caused by foreign bodies, food allergies, poor foot conformation, or more.
Interdigital furunculosis is often referred to as interdigital cyst formation. Interdigital cysts may also be called follicular pododermatitis.
An interdigital cyst is a pocket of fluid under the skin between the toes. Technically, any abscess in between toes is interdigital furunculosis.