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Last Updated on June 19, 2023 by Thee Puppypreneur
WHAT ARE INTERDIGITAL CYSTS IN DOGS
Do you have dog paw cyst or does your dog have lumps or bumps in between the toes or webbing of the paws. These bumps I have been calling interdigital cysts in dogs for the better part of over 2 decades.
They are actually furuncles or better known as boils. They can grow to large sizes or they can actually be felt in between the webbing of the toes as solid lumps. I have dealt with this for years in the past and my particular reason was due to incessant licking of the paws caused by a food allergens.
There are other lumps and bumps that could be confused for interdigital furuncles so it is best to take your furbaby to a veterinarian to be sure of the exact cause.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF INTERDIGITAL CYSTS IN DOGS
- Food Allergies
- Licking paws
- Mange or mites
- Foreign object in paw
- Ingrown Hairs
- Dermatitis
- Other paw issues
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF INTERDIGITAL CYSTS IN DOGS
- Red bumps or lumps
- Swollen Feet
- Licking of the paws
- Blood or Pus
- Limping
HOW IS INTERDIGITAL CYSTS IN DOGS DIAGNOSED
- Skin scrapings (mites and fungal infections)
- Biopsy
- X-ray (if foreign body suspected)
Depending on how thorough you want to be you can go into more interdigital cysts in dogs testing such as finding out the allergen source as well.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR INTERDIGITAL CYSTS IN DOGS
Depending on your veterinarian or dermatologist there are several ways this can be handled. Depending on the reason and the severity of the condition. If this is due to mites then there will be medication and shampoos they can give you to control and remove the mites.
There could also be topical creams, pain meds and antibiotics depending on the severity and if there are other infections present. And in some severe cases you may even elect for surgery to remove the mass.
Please be aware that surgery although an immediate solution can have long term consequences since veterinarians usually remove the webbing in between the toes and this can have a negative effect on foot conformation and create orthopedic issues down the road.
WHAT ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS ARE THERE
I am no stranger to interdigital cysts in dogs in my household they were a regular occurrence for years. They would come and go since there was an undiscovered food allergen. The incessant licking of the paws would create lumps in between the webbing.
Sometimes I could feel the hard lump in between the toes and not see it and know that if the licking continued it would come to a head and manifest into a red, blood blister looking thing.
One time it even got so bad one of my fur kids started limping as it was so huge from both underneath and on top that the paw just looked swollen and there was no boil yet. I knew I had to leave it alone and not try to pop or lance the boil.
Surely, enough after a couple of my remedies listed below and a few days later suddenly blood (so much blood) shot across the floor everywhere, and guess what?
It released the fluid built up inside the paw and in 24 hours my fur kid was no longer limping as the swelling had gone down. Don’t attempt to pop or lance the boil if you see it.
My tip: The cone
is your best friend. This stops the licking which in turn after weeks or even months in some cases the lumps disappear (in my allergen case but yours may be different) but like I said they will come back once the licking starts or if the allergen is not removed.
COMLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES WE DO IN MY HOUSEHOLD FOR INTERDIGITAL CYSTS IN DOGS
EPSON SALT
Epsom Salt foot soaks. I do this 3 times a day provided there are no cuts or open lesions. I take a bin and use 1 –2 cups warm water with 1 tablespoon
and I make sure there are no added ingredients or oils. The reason that I use Epsom salts is because it is magnesium sulfate which is supposed to reduce inflammation and relieve tired or sore muscles.
Now if the bin gets messy and water splashes and your dog tries to drink the water (don’t let them drink the epsom salt water) you can try this contraption for paws
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Apple Cider Vinegar
I use with the mother tincture and make sure its organic and mix 50/50 ratio of ACV to water. I soak a cotton pad and wipe in between the toes in the webs of the feet, morning and night.
I do this usually because it is very moist and sticky from the licking and there is yeast overgrowth in between the toes and apple cider vinegar acts as an antifungal and antibacterial and is proven to inhibit yeast.1Gopal, J., Anthonydhason, V., Muthu, M., Gansukh, E., Jung, S., Chul, S., & Iyyakkannu, S. (2019). Authenticating apple cider vinegar’s home remedy claims: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties and cytotoxicity aspect. Natural product research, 33(6), 906–910. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1413567
FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL
Frankincense essential oil I use (one drop only mixed with a tablespoon of carrier oil) and drop it on the area with the boil if I see or feel where it is coming in. I personally use this
Amazon.com: doTERRA Frankincense Essential Oil 15 ml : Health & Household
You want to make sure you use a good quality essential oil that hasn’t been adulterated with any chemical fillers, synthetics or additives as I always check for purity and this company doTerra is expensive but good.
Frankincense is analgesic, antibacterial and has anti-tumor possessing qualities. So, I also use this to help alleviate some of the pain.2Frankincense – therapeutic properties | Advances in Hygiene and Experimenta (phmd.pl)
DOG PAW WIPES
Amazon.com: Dechra MiconaHex + Triz Wipes For Dogs, Cats & Horses (50ct)
these are great as well and I use these between her toes as they contain miconazole and chlorohexidine and are antibacterial and great for yeast if I feel the ACV isn’t working well enough.
The main thing to understand is that if it is allergy based like mine was then as long as they keep licking or the allergy remains the “cysts” will come back.
For my fur kids it always went away after 6 weeks (about 1 and a half months) or so then we would do a food elimination diet and I would forget about the cone and there would be another allergen and licking would start again.
Until, finally I got all the allergens out of the diet and there were weird ones like pumpkin, lentil and sunflower lecithin that I couldn’t really see until after 3 or 4 months of feeding.
Now, again you should have taken your furbaby to the vet first to receive an accurate diagnosis as your interdigital cysts might not be due to food allergies or could not be an interdigital furuncle at all and could be something completely different.
Check out our other articles for more information such as if the interdigital cysts could be caused by mange;
