[Shanette Peters]

It sounded funny to me when I first started to groom, I saw it on a cocker spaniel - the pads so soft and breaking apart and loosing color that it looks like little stands of cooked spagetti?! Anyway I haven't seen it for a few years, however I think one of my client's cockers are getting it, is there any way to prevent it or what can be done? My dog's pads are so dry they are cracking? What can I use on them? Sorry I started with one question and added to it.

[justagirl21]

I've never heard or seen of the spagetti pads in my experience of grooming! Sounds strange. My Golden however gets dry cracked pads and I put Vitamin E cream on them to soften them and promote healing. I'm sure there are other expensive creams out there but a tub of VitE cream will set you back only about AUD$7.00 from your chemist/drug store and it works well.

[007Dogs]

It sounds like a fugal infection. You can use athletes foot cream or any other type of anti fugal cream. Just hard to keep a dog from licking it off. For dry cracked pads I use Mushers Secret.

[doggone6]

I've seen this any number of times, and even after a great deal of research I can't say what it is. I described it to my vet and he feels it may be some sort of vitamin or mineral deficiency.

[Shanette Peters]

That sounds possible, just to figure out what vitamin/mineral it is? I'll have to ask what food he's on. Thank you for your efforts.

[Love's_Sophie]

Originally Posted by Shanette Peters

It sounded funny to me when I first started to groom, I saw it on a cocker spaniel - the pads so soft and breaking apart and loosing color that it looks like little stands of cooked spagetti?! Anyway I haven't seen it for a few years, however I think one of my client's cockers are getting it, is there any way to prevent it or what can be done? My dog's pads are so dry they are cracking? What can I use on them? Sorry I started with one question and added to it.

I have seen the 'spongy' cocker foot alot in my grooming experience. Often these dogs have a poor skin and coatquality too. Only a lot of TLC (daily applications of betadine on the pads, because it is a 'fungal' type thing, medicated shampooing, etc), and often a change of diet will change it. The dog's pads need to be kept clean, and dry; so the owner will have to bring the dog in every couple of weeks to reshave out the dog's feet...it is due to the dirty, moisture buildup and sweaty residue left in the dog's feet that causes the 'spongyness'...they never dry out fully like most dog's do.

As far as your dry padded dog, add some aloe vera drink to his diet, and that should give him the extra 'moisture' those pads should need. You can get this from pretty much anywhere...

[Shanette Peters]

007Dogs: i guess to find out for sure we'd have to check with a vet...

Love's Sophie: great suggestions hopefully the owner will go for it. I'll try the aloe vera thing for my dog.. with a cream or vit E on her pads..

Thanx everyone!