You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Painful toes are a common problem in dogs and cats. Sometimes the cause is easy to detect - sometimes it is difficult

When an animal has a painful toe it is reluctant to put it's foot on the floor and bear weight on the leg. When walking it may carry the leg completely or hop gingerly off it as soon as possible. The animal will try to carry as much weight as possible on the other 3 legs, and it is usually quite obvious which leg is affected because the animal is lame on it.

Feet are usually easy to inspect and examine and your veterinarian will easily be able to detect :

• Which toe is painful - by gently squeezing it, or by flexing and extending the joints
• Any swelling that is present
• Any wound that is present
• Any crepitus (a grating sensation which can be felt by moving the ends of a broken bone together, or due to arthritis)
• Visible evidence of a broken nail
• Visible evidence of injury- eg hairloss, grazes, scratches, bruising, a split end to the nail(s)

Common causes of pain in a toe include :

• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Infection - often from 
  • a puncture wound (eg a cat fight)
  • a foreign body penetration, or a cut pad (eg glass)
  • nailbed infection (called paranechyia)
• Broken nail

Less common causes of toe pain include :

• Tumours
• Ticks attached to the feet
• Uncinaria - a worm which is picked up in the feet and causes local skin  inflammation

Xrays are often needed to examine the underlying bone for fractures, and to examine the soft tissue for foreign bodies (eg pieces of metal). Sometimes a small puncture wound can conceal a large piece of metal or glass which of course has to be removed, so get your vet to examine your pet as soon as possible.

Updated October 2013