# Swollen dog paw? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 3, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swollen-dog-paw/703524 "2014-11-03T16:27:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xythenz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a88e57/32.png) [@xythenz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xythenz)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swollen-dog-paw/703524/1 "2014-11-03T16:27:48Z")
My girlfriend put a mitten/boot on her dogs paw. However she made it slightly too tight and her dogs paw is now twice as big as the other three. What to do in this situation? What not to do? [![](https://i.imgur.com/ZD7W61y.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ZD7W61y.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swollen-dog-paw/703524/2 "2014-11-03T16:42:19Z")
take the dog to a vet. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swollen-dog-paw/703524/3 "2014-11-03T16:44:18Z")
Leave it be. It will get back to normal on its own in a couple hours. If it doesn’t, if the boot was left on for a long time, then a veterinarian should take a look at it. Things on dogs feet should never be left on for more than the time it takes to go for a walk. The only exception is a wrap or cast placed by a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swollen-dog-paw/703524/4 "2014-11-03T17:01:01Z")
> [@xythenz](#): > > My girlfriend put a mitten/boot on her dogs paw. However she made it slightly too tight and her dogs paw is now twice as big as the other three. > What to do in this situation? What not to do? > [Imgur: The magic of the Internet](http://i.imgur.com/ZD7W61y.jpg) I’m not trying to scare you but the downside could/maybe/might be serious. Get the dog to the vet immediately. “ **IF** ” it’s what I think it might be, compartment syndrome, the internal pressure could kill the paws nerve endings and dog could lose the use of it’s paw. Maybe. Compartment syndrome usually involves the leg and not the paw, but there is a time limit involved. The longer the condition lasts (8 to 10 hours for human arms and hands) the less likely the nerves and muscles will recover. Hopefully I’m wrong. But… ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swollen-dog-paw/703524/5 "2014-11-03T17:02:39Z")
Interestingly related to[today’s Straight Dope classic](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1309/why-dont-dogs-get-frostbite-on-their-feet). ---
**Author:** ![xythenz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a88e57/32.png) [@xythenz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xythenz)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swollen-dog-paw/703524/6 "2014-11-03T17:11:54Z")
Thank for the quick replies. We do not have the ability to take her to the vet until several hours from now and i wanted to know how to make it better/not make it worse. Her paw still has sensation in it but for now we are going to leave it alone as it seems to be getting better. Atleast the swelling has gone down and she can sort of walk with it. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swollen-dog-paw/703524/7 "2014-11-03T17:14:51Z")
> [@xythenz](#): > > Thank for the quick replies. We do not have the ability to take her to the vet until several hours from now and i wanted to know how to make it better/not make it worse. Her paw still has sensation in it but for now we are going to leave it alone as it seems to be getting better. Atleast the swelling has gone down and she can sort of walk with it. Call the vet’s office and have them tell you what you should do until the dog can be seen. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swollen-dog-paw/703524/8 "2014-11-03T17:34:45Z")
Gosh, your girlfriend must feel so horrible. /nothing more to say