Karingal Vet Hospital

328 Cranbourne Road, Frankston, VIC, 3199

P: (03) 9789 3444

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What are Interdigital Cysts in Dogs & how to treat them

Posted on: Nov 22 2019

Is your dog licking his paws? Or limping? Interdigital cysts are a series of inflamed and often infected tissue between your dog’s toes. They are commonly found on the front paws and can be a result of many different skin conditions. These can range from mites to ingrown hairs to allergies. It can be a painful and frustrating experience for your dog, however there are things you can do to treat the problem.

interdigital cysts in dogs, sad pug dog

So what causes these lumps?

Various factors can cause Interdigital Cysts in dogs, however here are some of the more common causes:

  • A short and coarse coat (prone to ingrown hairs)
  • Paw shape
  • The environment
  • Obesity
  • Skin irritation that cause dogs to lick their paws

What symptoms are involved?

Most symptoms of Interdigital Cysts in dogs are obvious. Some include:

  • Foot licking
  • Limping
  • Sores between the toes
  • Paws bleeding

If you recognise any of these symptoms you may want to take your dog to a veterinarian to get a correct diagnosis.

interdigital cysts in dogs paws

Diagnosis

It is important that the issue is diagnosed so that ongoing treatment or continual monitoring of your dog’s paws are prioritised. During the consultation the vet may perform or advise:

  • A review of the dog’s history
  • An examination of the feet
  • A skin biopsy be taken
  • A blood test t0 check for thyroid disease
  • Allergy testing take place.

Treatment

There is a lot of information out there indicating some treatment is more beneficial than others. Here is a list of treatments that is commonly recommended:

  • Residual topical rinses and shampoos
  • Antibiotics
  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Surgery

If you think your dog may have interdigital cysts, it is best to have them checked by a veterinarian to determine a diagnosis and avoid any possible infection.

Karingal Veterinary Hospital

To have your dog examined for interdigital cysts, contact us today so our veterinarians can provide you with more information. You can call Karingal Veterinary Hospital to make an appointment with our friendly staff or book online.

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Tessa BottomleyTessa Bottomley
01:49 08 Aug 24
Best vet!!!! Taken all our dogs and they have always done the most amazing care. From puppy to elderly dog they are just amazing and so caring
Angie GordonAngie Gordon
02:30 02 Aug 24
Wonderful caring staff who have been very understanding to me and my pets.
Emma BrownEmma Brown
01:57 30 Jul 24
Friendly, professional and outstanding with my dogs. Highly recommended.
Lynda NashLynda Nash
01:51 22 Jul 24
Great, caring staff and great service.
Always happy with the way my dog is treated here. They are excellent in handling a dog that has high anxiety too.
Aria KateAria Kate
06:38 14 Jul 24
Been taking our fur babies to the team at Karingal for 6 years now and always receive the best treatment. From the reception team, the vet nurses and vets, we always felt well cared for. They’ve always listened to our concerns thoroughly and never made us feel stupid when explaining things.I always appreciate their follow up calls to double check our pet has been feeling better and that there’s no more issues, I feel like they do genuinely care for my animals :)Also greatly appreciate the gap only claims for pet insurance, saves a lot of time and money!
John XJohn X
05:02 13 Jul 24
Excellent service and top veterinarians. Impressed by the professionalism of the staff.
Natalie JNatalie J
01:07 18 Jun 24
We took both our greyhounds here after trying a few vets in the area and they are by far the best. So knowledgeable about the breed and so understanding and patient with their anxiety about going into the consulting rooms. It’s so nice to see your pets being taken such good care of, getting lots of pats and reassurance. Thank you so much!
Cassidy CrouchCassidy Crouch
09:30 12 Apr 24
I’ve seen multiple vets and nurses at this clinic since having my first puppy, and every single person has been fantastic. They really pay attention to your concerns and are really thorough with their examinations. I appreciate that they never rush me and take their time to explain things to me. As a first time puppy owner, it’s always great to have things explained in such detail. They are all so friendly and accommodating and I would have absolutely no trouble recommending this clinic to my friends or family.
Emily SteccaEmily Stecca
10:23 18 Jan 24
The team at Karingal Vets have been so amazing helping my dog who ruptured his cruciate ligament! Could not have asked for better support during this time pre and post surgery.Puppy school was amazing too! Highly recommend ☺️
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328 Cranbourne Road, Frankston, VIC, 3199

P: (03) 9789 3444

The Karingal Veterinary Hospital is open 6 days a week.

Our hours are

- 8am-6pm Monday-Friday,
- 9am-5pm Saturday,
- Closed on Sundays,

* We are closed on public holidays.