MaggieDog Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 So I may be picking up a foster this week assuming his vet check goes well. I was wondering though, he appears to have calluses on his hocks - they look just like those you might see on the elbows of a dog lying on hard surfaces a lot but they're right over the hock joint instead. Any idea of how a dog might get these and/or how to soften them up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet_ceana Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 This is probably going to sound stupid i have no experience or knowledge in this area with dogs- just skin in general, but what about that utter cream they sell at the walgreens and grocery stores? Ceana's pads became really dry in the winter in CO and started to hurt her so I put lotion on them before we went out in the snow and she stopped having the problem. Calluses are dry often rubbed skin so I imagine the utter cream may work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyoBC Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 She didn't lick it off when you put it on? I'll have to try that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Erin, I imagine that if the dog has been lying on a hard surface (like a concrete run) a lot, it could get calluses on the hocks as well. Changing to soft bedding might help. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 I have a dog who tends to slide alot on his hocks when he runs & changes directions quickly. It started as bloody scrapes & I used to clean and tend to it daily. That got old so I just made sure nothing got infected & let calluses build up. So, now he has very callused hocks, but it is not a problem. Softening them up might make him look better, but depending on what caused them in the first place, they may just return. gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc4pack Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 This may sound silly but if the callouses are not interfering in any way I would leave them alone. They are a way of protecting the skin... kinda like being on the working end of a shovel... do it day in day out and you have callouses... do it once in a blue moon and you have blisters. Goodness knows I've earned everyone of mine on the delicate hands I have ... I just took up with a farrier 'cause his hands are rougher than mine!!! Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK dog doc Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 These are acutally not all THAT uncommon and are generally a consequence of a dog laying on hard surfaces a lot. They're more common in dogs that have thin or short coat, and in dogs who have been crated a lot or who may be "down" a lot....old arthritic dogs, for instance, or ones who lay for long periods. Typically a callus will thin over time if the "need" for it goes away... for instance, if the foster dog has been excessively crated, but in your hands he is not, the callus tends to regress. However, if he keeps laying down a lot, or otherwise traumatizes the area, they'll typically presist. Unless they are troubling him or the skin looks abnormal, you can probably leave them alone. You can always have your vet have a look. Psst Sweet Ceana.... "udder". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet_ceana Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Psst Sweet Ceana.... "udder". LOL can you tell I am from NJ! Spelling is not my best...sorry about that! WyoBc- She wanted to lick it off, but I told her "no licking" and she left it alone. After 2 or 3 times she didn't even try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK dog doc Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 I'M no great shakes at spelling either, but as a vet I DID happen to know that one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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