Interdigital cysts in dogs can be painful for your pup and somewhat challenging to treat. To help you recognize interdigital cysts, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
As a dog parent, you might have noticed that your dog’s paws can require a lot of attention. You need to cut the hair in the webbing between the toes and perfect your dog nail trimming technique. Plus, you must watch out for itchy paws in dogs, ripped nails in dogs, a foreign body getting trapped between the dog’s toes, or other paw problems.
One such problem is what brought Hailey, a 7-year-old Chinese Shar Pei, to my exam room. Hailey had been excessively licking her right front foot for about a week. And her mom noticed that Hailey had a small, raised, purple bump between two of her toes.
As I examined Hailey and listened to her mom talk about what she had seen at home, I became increasingly confident that Hailey had interdigital furuncles (often referred to as interdigital cysts in dogs).
What are interdigital cysts in dogs?
As I explained to my client, interdigital cysts are nodule-like lesions that form between a dog’s toes. Veterinarians may also call this condition interdigital furunculosis, which is a more accurate term for what is going on.
While they look like cysts (i.e. membranes filled with fluid), these areas actually consist of an area of infection and inflammation around a hair follicle (i.e. furunculosis in dogs). However, for the purpose of the article, I will use the more common term, “interdigital cyst.”
What does an interdigital cyst look like?
Interdigital cysts, as the name would imply, appear between the digits (i.e. toes). They usually form in the webbing between a dog’s toes on the top side of the paw. However, in rare cases they can appear on the bottom of the paw instead.
Initially, interdigital cysts start in the deeper skin layers. Then they rise to the surface where you can see them. At this point, the cysts are raised, painful, purple or red nodules, as shown in the photo below of an interdigital cyst in dogs. The hair is often missing from the area, resulting in the cyst having a shiny, prominent appearance.
Additionally, interdigital cysts might contain a bloody, pus-like material. Sometimes a dog’s interdigital cyst can burst or “pop,” and start draining this material or bleeding out of a small hole in the center of the cyst.
Dogs can have one cyst or multiple cysts, depending on what caused them and how long it has been going on.
What causes interdigital cysts?
On a basic level, interdigital cysts are almost always caused by a bacterial infection that has affected the deeper layers of skin (i.e. deep pyoderma in dogs). But most of the time there are additional factors in play as well.
The most common factor is breed predisposition. Some of the frequently affected breeds are Chinese Shar Peis, English Bulldogs, and Labrador Retrievers. These breeds tend to develop cysts because of:
- Poor foot conformation
- Paw structure with increased webbing between the toes
- Short, “prickly” hairs on the feet
- Increased predisposition to allergies and other skin diseases
Short hair is especially a problem for these dogs because it acts as an irritant to the paw. Not only can it cause itching and inflammation, but it can also be shoved back into the hair follicles as your dog walks and the toes rub together. The result is ingrown hairs that are irritating to your dog and can predispose him or her to secondary bacterial skin infections.
Other predisposing factors
When other breeds of dogs are affected by interdigital cysts, they are usually suffering from another skin disease that has lead to the infection. There are four conditions that are most often associated with developing an interdigital cyst:
1. Demodicosis
As gross as this sounds, all dogs have demodex mites that live in their hair follicles. Normally these mites don’t cause any issues. However, some dogs, especially those with poor immune systems, can develop a mite overpopulation. The end result is a deep skin infection on various parts of the body, including the feet in some cases.
2. Allergies
Another common cause of interdigital cysts in dogs is secondary infection from canine atopic dermatitis (i.e. environmental allergies). Dogs may be allergic to things that are in the environment seasonally such as weeds, grasses, trees, etc. Or they can be allergic to dust mites, storage mites, or other environmental components that are around all year.
Allergies lead to itching, which can lead to skin trauma, deep infections, and interdigital cysts. Since that is the case, stopping the itch is important. While Benadryl for dogs might be enough to help some dogs, others need stronger allergy medicine for dogs like Cytopoint® or Apoquel®.
3. Grass awns
Foxtails in dogs and other grass seeds can act as foreign bodies that lodge in your dog’s paws. If the grass awn isn’t removed, it will continue to bury deeper into the paw. This will lead to irritation and infection that spreads to the nearby hair follicles.
4. Obesity
Dogs who are overweight put more pressure on their paws and toes when walking. This causes increased friction and irritation between the toes. The resulting skin damage plus the potential for the hairs to be pushed into the skin can make an overweight dog more prone to ingrown hairs and interdigital cysts.
What are the symptoms of interdigital cysts?
By understanding the reasons that these cysts form, you can also predict some of the common symptoms of interdigital cysts. These signs may go along with the condition that predisposed the dog to the cyst or may be a result of the cyst itself.
Sometimes it is easy to see the characteristic 1 to 2 cm shiny, red to purple nodule between a dog’s toes. However, your dog might not let you examine his or her feet. Or, your dog might have hairy paws that cause the cysts to be easily hidden. In these cases, it is important to monitor your dog for other signs that could indicate a problem, including:
- Dog limping on a single foot
- Holding up a foot when walking
- Dog licking or biting paw excessively
- Being hesitant to have feet touched
- Signs your dog is in pain (such as crying out) when foot is touched
- Missing patches of hair on the paw
- Unpleasant, musty odor associated with the feet and toes
- Presence of foxtails or other grass awns in your dog’s fur
If you see any of these symptoms in your dog and suspect he or she is suffering from interdigital cyst sores, please consult your veterinarian promptly for diagnosis and treatment. These cysts can be extremely painful for your dog so it is important to get your dog some relief ASAP.
How is an interdigital cyst diagnosed?
Upon arriving at the veterinary hospital, your veterinarian will begin the appointment by collecting a history (i.e. asking questions about your dog). While your vet is talking with you, he or she will probably also start examining your dog. It is very likely that the vet will look over your whole dog, not just his or her feet.
This is a very important step because veterinarians are often able to diagnose interdigital cysts based on your dog’s clinical signs and exam findings. Your veterinarian might not suggest any diagnostic tests at this point if he or she has already reached a diagnosis.
However, some vets will recommend additional diagnostics to gain more information, rule out other similar conditions, and get a definitive diagnosis for your dog. This may involve:
- Submitting a biopsy of the affected area to a diagnostic lab to determine what kind of cells, bacteria, or parasites are present.
- Collecting hair samples, skin scrapes, or cultures to look for the presence of parasites, bacteria, or fungus.
- Performing an ultrasound or X-rays to look for orthopedic issues or cancer.
- Using sedation to examine the wound and look for foreign bodies like grass awns.
What is the treatment for interdigital cysts in dogs?
After your veterinarian diagnoses interdigital cysts in your dog, he or she will discuss different treatment options. Regardless of the cause, the most important part of treatment is cleaning the area and using antibiotics.
For more mild cases, the vet will prescribe antibiotics that go directly on the skin (i.e. topical antibiotics). They work right on the wound to treat the deep skin infection and get rid of the interdigital cyst.
In addition to the antibiotics, your veterinarian will likely give you detailed instructions about how to keep the affected paws clean. Sometimes he or she might even send you home with a special cleaning solution to help kill bacteria and fungus that might be present.
While it might sound tempting, you should not try to pop or drain the interdigital cyst. Squeezing or poking the cyst is painful and doesn’t make it resolve any faster.
If your dog has a severe case and/or multiple cysts, your veterinarian might recommend a more advanced treatment plan. This plan might include additional veterinary therapies such as:
- Oral antibiotics (given by mouth)
- Topical or oral anti-fungal medication
- Steroid medications
- Anti-inflammatories
- Surgical removal of the cyst
- Laser Surgery—using a CO2 laser to cut into the deeper skin tissue layers to remove the cyst and tissue surrounding it. This method can be successful, but does require intense care afterward. One small study on the response of interdigital cysts to laser surgery revealed that the cysts did not reoccur in 25 of the 28 dogs after treatment.
Regardless of what method your veterinarian chooses, it is important to understand that interdigital cysts can be difficult to treat and manage. Sometimes it takes several rounds of antibiotics or other therapies to find the one that works. Also, interdigital cysts can reoccur or appear in other locations.
Is home treatment an option?
Clients often ask my veterinary colleagues and me if there are home treatments or natural remedies for interdigital cysts in dogs. As a holistic veterinarian myself and someone who often looks for natural treatments, I understand why owners ask this question.
However, in this case it is best to seek veterinary advice to get rid of interdigital cysts. As I mentioned, these cysts can be extremely complex, painful, and difficult to treat. And because they can come back, it is important to start managing them correctly right away.
Also, you probably remember that interdigital cysts are usually due to a deep skin infection and other skin problems. Adding products like essential oils or coconut oil might further irritate the skin. Or, if your dog has allergies and you don’t know it, specific essential oils might make the problem worse.
The one thing I do occasionally tell my clients to do at home is Epsom salts soaks. This can sometimes help clean the wound and draw out a foxtail or grass awn. However, this home remedy isn’t right for every case and for every dog. Please consult your veterinarian before using Epsom salts to treat interdigital cysts in your own dog. And if you do try this remedy, ensure that your dog does not drink any of the Epsom salt soak water.
How can you prevent interdigital cysts?
After treating and dealing with interdigital cysts, dog parents understandably often ask if there are ways to prevent them. Thankfully, while you can’t change your dog’s breed or the fact that he or she has allergies, there are some things you can do.
Overall, the best prevention method is to monitor your dog and his or her skin carefully. If you begin to notice your dog itching, licking, or chewing his or her paws, examine your dog’s feet and consult your veterinarian. Catching a flare-up of the underlying cause (like allergies), and treating it, is often easier than treating an interdigital cyst that has already developed.
Weight management is another good prevention option. If you are wondering, “Is my dog overweight?”, start by finding your dog’s body condition score (BCS) and/or making an appointment with your vet. Hopefully. helping your dog lose weight will make him or her less likely to suffer from interdigital cysts.
You also can help your dog by keeping his or her feet clean and dry. Warm, moist paws are perfect environments for bacteria and fungus (i.e. a dog paw yeast infection) to grow. Once there is a skin infection, interdigital cysts are more likely to follow.
Keep in mind that no matter how hard you try to keep your dog’s feet clean and monitor him or her for issues, this is not a guaranteed way to prevent the cysts from coming back. Especially for the predisposed dog breeds, interdigital cysts can and do reoccur. This doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying any preventive strategies—just that you shouldn’t feel bad your dog still occasionally gets a cyst.
Rely on your veterinarian
Especially for these diseases like interdigital cysts that are sometimes challenging to treat, it is important to have a great working partnership with your veterinarian. Together you will be able to come up with the best treatment and prevention plan for your dog. And if you need to modify the plan, you can work together to do that too.
Because I had a relationship with my client and knew she would closely follow my instructions for Hailey’s care, I was able to develop a detailed plan. Hailey’s treatment involved antibiotics, specific cleaning routines, and multiple follow-up appointments. Thankfully, after about four weeks, her cyst resolved and she was pain free again.
I have seen Hailey every year since then for her senior dog wellness checks, and she continues to do great! Hopefully knowing the ending to her story leaves you feeling encouraged that with a little help from your vet and some patience, you can get rid of your dog’s interdigital cyst.
Has your dog ever had an interdigital cyst?
Please comment below
Hi,
My 22 lb mixed breed dog has 2 small interdigital cysts. (she had one when the vet examined her and his since developed a 2nd one on another foot). She has had them for a month or so now. She did go on Clavamox for 2 weeks (along with Proviable C). The are down near the bottom of her toes so they actually get stepped on and roughed up like her pads. She does not know they are there. They do not cause her pain or discomfort and she continues to hike 4-6 miles per day with no issues. The antibiotics helped a bit but I am told by her vet, the certified canine nutritionist I work with, and a dermatological vet I know that it often takes 8-12 weeks of antibiotics to clear up. I am not willing to mess with her gut and general health like that if she is not in any pain or discomfort unless it is absolutely necessary. The nutritionist said they are usually related to allergies in her experience (which my dog has never had issues with before and we have had her since she was 6 months old and she is 5.5 now). I used epsom salt baths 2x/day for a couple weeks but that did nothing. I use Mal-a-ket wipes, and use Natural Dog Company skin soother which helps some. I am now very careful after walks/hikes, esp when she goes in creeks, to rinse and dry her feet off when we get home. Is it dangerous in any way to just leave them be since they don’t bother her at all? Will they eventually go away on their own? Honestly I would not have even noticed them in the first place if it were not for clipping her nails every couple of weeks as I’m not sure she even knows she has them.
Hi Ellen,
I understand your concern for your pup and these worrisome cysts she has on her foot. All of the advice you are getting sounds like what I would have told you as well. It is hard to predict how these cysts will behave in the future and what the risk is of them causing a serious issue. The one question I have is are we sure these are cysts? Did your vet take an aspirate to confirm? I would hate to assume these are cysts and end up missing a more serious mass or tumor in the process. Hoping you can get the advice you need to make the best choice for your sweet girl. Wishing you both the best of luck!
I have a 11 year old Catahoula/pit bull mix that injured his paw approximately a year ago. It looked like it had healed but then he started limping about 6 months later. I found an interdigital cyst. I’ve done soaks, antibiotics (oral and topical). I’ve gone through the draining tracks and used betadine and ichthammol 20%, for the past couple months. As of today the cyst has ruptured and is leaking clear fluid with very minimal blood. I’ve applied the betadine to clean the wound , applied the ichthammol and bandaged the foot. I am hoping that the treatment I’m doing at home will draw the fluid out of the cyst so it may heal.. He is also taking echinacea, burdock root, milk thistle and PB8 probiotic. Is there anything else I can do at home or do I need to return to the doc for surgery?
Hi Debra,
I am sorry your senior guy is dealing with this painful foot issue. Cysts do not usually cause draining tracts, and this makes me very suspicious that something else could be contributing to the situation. Was the cyst diagnosed by your vet? I do think it needs to be re-evaluated by your veterinarian and you may be facing additional testing. Hoping you can get the answers you need to pursue a treatment to resolve this problem. Wishing your sweet boy all the best and praying for a positive outcome.
Our dog Tia is 6 years old. Recently we had her to the Vet with what looked like an Interdigital Cyst, although I’ve seen photo’s and Tia’s paw doesn’t have a head on it. Its just red and swollen, which makes me think it’s an infected hair follicle perhaps. Tia had antibiotics for 7 days, which seemed to work but it is now starting to swell again. Is there a specific antibiotic she should be on or on an antibiotic for longer ?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Hi Wendy,
I am sorry Tia is dealing with this worrisome bump on her paw. Without examining it myself it is hard to offer specific recommendations. Your vet may have to take a biopsy to get a definitive diagnosis in order to choose the appropriate treatment/antibiotic. Also, laser therapy may be beneficial, but you would have to ensure there was no evidence of cancer before proceeding. Hoping you can find a way to get this resolved quickly. Best wishes to you and Tia!
Hi, my dog, a 6 year old long haired Jack Russell, has been suffering with a recurrent interdigital cyst on her front right paw. Right in the middle of her toes. It flares up every couple of months, causing her a lot of pain and discomfort. We’ve been back and forward to the vet. They keep saying it could be allergies, but she is on hydrolysed food which we buy from them, there’s no timing to it appearing in terms of spring, summer, autumn or winter… I am concerned that there is something in her paw, but it may be grass seed or something. Is there any way that you know of to find out other than surgery? Which may not find anything anyway? She has a grade 2 heart murmur, but is otherwise very healthy and active.
It goes away with antibiotics, but this time the vet has said to try soaks to see if anything comes out. Anytime it starts to appear we bathe with hibiscrub and do this once a week too. We always clean her paws and in between her toes and armpits as she tend to be a mid magnet.
This latest on occurred on 20th April. It almost healed and then flared up overnight again, so we took her back to the vets. They are at a loss re what to do. I really want to find the cause and as it’s only ever same place I don’t think it’s allergies?
We bathe her paw in hibiscrib after walks (not that she can do much atm), plus 4 warm/hot Epsom salt baths a day. In between it’s fully dried then covered with a little breathable sock. If she doesn’t have the sock on it bothers her a lot. As soon as we take it off she starts anxiety licking and yawning. With it on she’s happy as anything.
We are desperate to make her ok and will do anything, we have v good insurance and also, savings for anything else.
She’s on hydrolysed food, has daily probiotics, Epsom salt baths x4 a day and paws always cleaned post walk.
If it was a human we’d do a scan, identify any foreign object, why is this not possible for her? I don’t want more antibiotics if not necessary, or surgery which may not do anything, I need to understand the cause, so we can prevent it in future. Any advice??
Hi Clare,
I understand your concern for your pup and can see why you are frustrated with how things are going. These cysts can be so incredibly difficult to manage even if you are doing everything right. You could talk to your vet about taking an x-ray to look for a foreign body, but it may not show up very well. Your best bet may be to ask for a referral to a specialist. Not only would they be able to discuss all the testing and treatment options, but they may have access to CT or MRI should you want to pursue something on that level. I hope you can find the answers you need to offer your girl some relief. She is lucky to have you advocating for her health and well-being. Best wishes and keep up the good work!
Hi. I have a 4 yr old male Cane Corso that weighs 150lbs but is not overweight. He has recently gotten identical large swollen bumps what look like what u describe as interdigital cysts between his 3rd toe and pinky on his two back feet. They are identical large bumps and on the exact same place but on different hind paws. They do have a little hole that they ooze bloody liquid from. He walks fine otherwise and doesn’t lick them often. I have put hydrogen peroxide on them as well as antibiotic ointment but it’s not helping. Since they are identical bumps in the exact same place on different hind leg paws could that help isolate the cause? He’s had them for 2 months now.
Hi Denise,
I am sorry your big guy is having issues with these large bumps between his toes. From what you describe they do sound like cysts, but I can’t make specific conclusions without personally examining your pup. My best recommendation is to get your vet to take a look at these bumps and do some testing. They can help guide you to the right treatment and ensure your boy gets the care he needs. Hoping for answers and praying for a positive outcome. Bless you both!
can an interdigital cyst appear on the ‘ankle’ of the dogs paw?
Hi Fiona,
A cyst can form anywhere on the body but for it to be categorized as interdigital (inter=between, digit=toe) then it has to be between the toes.
my four-year-old yellow lab has been dealing with this for 3 1/2 years! He’s been on and off antibiotics, steroids, etc. was able to control it for a while but now it is the worst it’s ever been with bleeding and slime. Infection is spreading to his lower stomach area. Unfortunately, for him he wears the cone 90% of the day but trying to limit is licking as he ehds up with red dot infection on chin. Used to be my mountain bike pal
Been to the vet several times in the last few months, taking cultures, cyto point injection etc. doxycycline antibiotic no longer works I’ve tried special dog food for 4 months with no luck. Give him constant iodine, diluted bleach, Epson salt, and yna-Hex soaks as well medicated muse shampoo,,
he’s been on apoquel forever and keep him on flea and tic meds year round. dermatologist around here are left a year ago but able to find a new doctor opening up and have a late May appointment. If he makes it that long he is at the point where he just sits and shakes and didn’t greet me after being gone three days. going to start him cyclosporine and ketoconozole .
Dear Dave,
My heart breaks for you and your Lab as he endures these severe skin issues. I agree it is time to see a specialist and pray your boy can hang on until his appointment later this month. Hoping the dermatologist can offer some answers and find a way to give your pup relief from his suffering. Please keep us updated on how he is doing. Praying for healing and comfort.
My 4 year old boxer has been dealing with these interdigital cysts for about 2 years now. I’ve had 2 surgically removed already but they keep coming back. My oldest boxer is 12 and he has had bad skin infections from demodex mites. He’s had a few flare ups where I had to give him an oral medication called ivermectin. I also give him simparica trio as a once a month flea and tick medicine. That seemed to keep the mites at ease. My question though is, can the mites from my oldest dog be causing the same problems with my youngest and the cysts on his paws. Both dogs are boxers but very different in age. Also are there any environmental factors that increase the risk for demodex mites to become more prevalent?
Hi Megan,
I am sorry you are dealing with skin issues with both of your boys. There are two types of mites we see on dogs. Demodex (the most common) is not contagious. The mites are normally present on the skin of ALL dogs and only cause a problem when they are found in large numbers. A dog’s immune system normally keeps the number of mites to a minimum, so any overgrowth is a sign of a weakened or suppressed immune system. Here is a link to an article that discusses this in more detail (see #2): Hair Loss on a Dog’s Tail: 10 Causes
The other type of mite is what causes Sarcoptic mange which is highly contagious and causes Scabies in people. So, if your dog had the “contagious” form of mites you would know because you would probably have them too! Boxers are known for having skins problems and growing lots of lumps and bumps. If I had to guess, I would say these issues with your two pups are unrelated other than they share some of the same breed genetics. It might be worth looking into a way to improve your senior guy’s immune system or checking some lab work to make sure nothing else is being missed. Hope this helps a bit. Best wishes to you all and good luck!
In reading your reply, I am confused as to why you say Sarcoptic mange is contagious to humans. I have been to 10 vets, canine dermatologists, human doctors, humans derms, allergists, immunologist, etc. and ALL of them say that mange mites are not contagious to humans. I and my dogs have been fighting skin issues which I know are related and know are from mites for almost 3 years. I am told over and over my does does not show signs or symptoms of mite infestation, even though he does and so do I. We have tried many many medications and so many flea and tick meds. He now has cysts and a bacterial infection, licking, pink fur from licking (which is fungal related to secondary infection from mites and has been on many many meds and so have I. I can not for the life of me figure this out. I am so many similar symptoms to my pet.
I know my symptoms and his are related to mites because I can feel them crawling, stinging and have allergic reaction and hives every single day. We have spent so much money trying to figure this out it is ridiculous. Another thing is that my sister and dog (who don’t live with us, but whom we are around alot) have been suffering with the same exact symptoms as us. She and her pet have been to the same types of doctors and vets.
Sick and tiered of hearing is is allergies. IT IS NOT Allergies. Vets try and push everything of as allergies. They have scrapped for mites but see nothing but then tell me that these scrapping are false negative all of the time and not reliable. The flea and tick meds do not clear it completely. The oral ones make my dog sick and lethargic and mentally off. I have recently started revolution on him.
my question is, who the heck can diagnose this accurately. Obviously the medications, etc aren’t working to kill and prevent. I have cleaned, and cleaned and cleaned and had pest company here numerous times.
It is ridiculous.
also I was told by most recent vet that the antibiotics will only work so much on bacterial infections from parasites and cysts may clear up short time but come back because cause of the infection has not been cleared up, which I know is parasites.
Dear Barbara,
I am so sorry you and your dogs are enduring so much pain and suffering due to this unknown skin problem. I understand your frustration and wish I could offer some specific advice. Unfortunately, without being able to personally examine your dogs, it is hard to make conclusions and recommendations. Sarcoptic mange is most definitely contagious to humans but, as I mentioned in my previous comment, it is not the most common type of mite infestation that dogs tend to get. Here is a link to an article about sarcoptic mange on the veterinary information network’s website: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102899&id=4952007&ind=279&objTypeID=1007
Hoping you can continue to advocate for your dogs and yourself and get the medical care you desperately need. Wishing you healing and relief and praying for a positive outcome.
I have a 5 year old boxer that last year around Christmas ended up having a red bump on the side of his toe on his right foot, the vet thought it was cancer and wanted to amputate his toe but it ended up going away on its own after trimming his nails since it punctured the cyst. Fast forward to this year around Christmas we noticed bleeding and on the bottom of his left paw there is another red, inflamed, blister like bump looks similar to last time but more red. Took him to the vet and again the vet “thinks” it’s cancer and wants to amputate the toe but I am hesitant because last time after giving my dog Benadryl and Epsom salt soaks occasionally it went away. My dog has always had terrible allergies and always tries licking his paws and scratching. I just would like another opinion on what I should do! I have pictures from last year to compare to now I wish o could post them!
Hi Mckenzie,
I understand your concern for your Boxer and think it is great you are searching for advice. Without personally examining your pup it is hard to make specific recommendations. When evaluating bumps, I like to start with getting a needle aspirate and checking a cytology sample under the microscope. While this may not allow for a definitive diagnosis, it can definitely rule out many things and give you a good idea of what to do next. From there the decision can be made to proceed with surgical removal or monitor things for a while. If your vet has not done any testing on the bump, this would be a great thing to discuss. As always, you need to feel confident with your vet and how things are being handled. Some partnerships are just not the right fit and it is ok if you need to find a different clinic that can meet your needs. You are doing a great job advocating for your sweet boy. Wishing you both the best of luck and keep up the good work!
I came upon your website by accident and reading it was reassuring. My dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel suffers with these inter digital cysts and on last count it was 18. He is only 5 and they appear on any paw, never recurring in the same one, but randomly all paws. We’ve become quite a regular at the vets and he’s been in numerous antibiotics and fungal creams and bathing with Hibiscrub. I am at my wits end. I am starting to blame myself as it seems to occur after I’ve clipped his furry feathered paws! He is regularly paw bathed then dried. We are currently living with 2 infected paws. One I thought I’d rectified before the other one flared up. He is coned most if the day and I wrap at night with the fungal cream. I don’t want him on constant antibiotics. Nothing seems to be working at so any advice would be a godsend.
Hi Denise,
I understand your concern for your boy and wish I had some great advice. Unfortunately, there just aren’t many great options other than what is already mentioned in the article. If you are suspicious that clipping the hair on his feet may be contributing to the issue, could you hold off on the grooming or leave the hair a bit longer on his paws to see if it resolves on its own? Also, you can talk with your vet about the possibility of using laser therapy to help the cysts heal and maybe even stop them from progressing if caught early enough. Hoping you can find a good solution to this tricky problem. Wishing you the best and praying for a positive outcome.
Our dog Fae started limping two days ago. We found an interdigital cyst (not terribly large or swollen) and have been treating it with Epsom salt soaks and topical triple antibiotics. It seems to be getting better (less red smaller). However. she is over just behaving oddly. Isolating (sleeping under desk instead of with us) and very jumpy even when we touch body parts other than her foot. Is this typical of a dog with an interdigital cyst?
Hi Geri,
I understand your concern over these recent behavioral changes in your pup. What you describe does not sound like what I would expect from a dog dealing with a healing cyst on their foot. Of course, every dog is different, and this may just be normal for your girl. With that being said, your best bet is to have your vet do a thorough evaluation and make sure nothing more serious is being missed. Hoping you get a good report and Fae will be back to living her best life in no time. Good luck!
my 3 year old lhasa x continues to get interdigital cysts and I’m at my wits end.
She had her first one last September and nothing came back until June this year, which we are now at the point of them appearing every 1/2 weeks, religiously! she has had environmental allergy testing from the vet which has came back negative. we are currently on a food trial to rule out food allergies but almost 4 weeks in and the cysts are continuing to come. I hate to see her in pain and unsure of where we go from here. I’ll continue see her food trial out till the end which is 3 weeks away, but the cysts aren’t slowing down which makes me think it’s not food related either!
any other suggestions would be truly appreciated
Hi Jessica,
What a frustrating (and painful) situation for you and your dog. It sounds like you and your vet have taken a lot of good steps to try to get the cysts under control, so it may be time to involve a specialist, namely a veterinary dermatologist. It makes sense to finish out the food trial because it can take several weeks to see any improvement, and you may want to check in with your vet about if yeast or bacterial skin infections could be playing a role in cyst development too. But if after all this the cysts continue to pop up frequently, I would recommend talking to your vet about a referral to a veterinary dermatologist.
Best of luck to you and your pup! Hopefully you find some solutions to keep the cysts at bay.
Here is a link to an article on veterinary specialists in case you want to learn more about veterinary dermatologists: How Do I Find Veterinary Specialists Near Me and What Do They Do?
My 15 yr old Lhasa Apso x has developed a cyst between her toes.. The vet gave me an anti inflammatory for 5 days. I bought her a boot to wear to stop her from chewing and licking her foot but she is going crazy. I’m worried there is no air flow but the minute I take it off she attacks her foot so it has no chance to heal. Will it heal? Or will this just be an ongoing issue? She is an old girl and I hate to see her so frantic. I’ve been preparing myself for the day I have to put her down and don’t know what to do. I don’t want to put her down because if this but to see her chew and eat her paw is hard to watch! Will it subside ever to where it’s not itchy and painful? Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi Maureen,
I am so sorry your senior girl is struggling with an interdigital cyst. Unfortunately, they do tend to be an ongoing issue and most veterinarians will offer surgical removal if medications cannot reduce the inflammation and pain. Please make sure your vet is aware your dog’s foot is not healing. They need to know you are not seeing the results that were expected. I hope you can partner with your vet to find the best way to offer your girl some relief. Praying for healing and a positive outcome.
My dog got what they thought was a foxtail inbetween her toes in August. It had swollen up and the Vet lanced it and cleaned it out. They couldn’t find anything. She was put on cefodoxine for 7 days, it seemed to get better, then it swelled up again. I took her back and they lanced it again and put a cast/wrap around her foot. She was on Amox/Clavomox for 10 days, when they took it off it still hadn’t healed and they removed the necurotic tissue and stapled it and put another cast on her and extended her Amox/Clavomox for another course (17 days total) I ended up taking her for 6 weeks straight. Finally when they took it off it I was told it was closed. The wound is right at the crux of her webbing of her toes. Last week I noticed her chewing on it and saw the wound looks like a puncture was reopened or the scab fell off, but it was oozy and moist. I cleanend and and made an appt with different Vet. Took her in 2 days ago and Vet said she saw nothing but said she had allergies and gave her a shot of cytopoint. Today it is oozy and open. I texted the Vet pics. I am losing my mind. My dog had 7 tumors removed, one diagnosed as Comedocarcinoma with a sad prognosis earlier this summer and anal gland rupture. She is a happy go lucky dog doesnt’ act sick, or that her paw is bothering her but I need it to heal. I am so upset the 2nd Vet didn’t really look at her paw. I don’t know if it starts to heal but the scab gets pulled off. I keep a loose sock on her so she won’t lick it. I don’t know what to do. I am out of money and don’t understand why it isn’t healing. Thank you.
Dear Rai,
I am sorry your dog is having chronic issues with this non-healing wound on her foot. I understand your frustration and concern. I wish I could tell you what was best or how to proceed. But unfortunately, without examining your pup myself it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations. I know you have already tried to get a second opinion and it may be time to seek a 3rd opinion. Maybe your vet could get a biopsy sample to send off for pathology to review. I also like to get an expert opinion from a specialist when dealing with more complicated cases such as your girl seems to be. I hope you will be able to find the answers you need to ensure your girl remains happy and healthy. Wishing you both the best.
Hello! My border collie has a furuncle in-between his second and third digit for a month now…. after 4 sets of antibiotics….3 incisions that evacuated nothing….un paw CT scan that revealed no foreign body…the thing keeps coming back after initial amelioration…I suspect that the antibiotic treatment duration was way to short each time….
I am a cardiologist, not a veterinarian one, but I have read in vet manuals that antibiotics should be continued one to two weeks after the remission of clinical signs of infection….
Now my vet recommends surgery to remove the nodule and send it to pathology but this would mean a lot of tissue….
what should I do?
Hi Cristina,
I am so sorry you are dealing with this ongoing issue with your pup. I can only imagine how frustrated and concerned you must be. If this is truly a cyst, then surgical removal may be the only way to resolve the problem. You are correct that it will probably require removing a lot of tissue. Hopefully it can be done without the need for amputation of a toe. I think having the tissue evaluated by a pathologist is the best way to get a definitive diagnosis and find a clear path forward with treatment. Hoping you can find the advice you need to make a decision with which you can be at peace. Praying for a positive outcome and healing for your sweet boy.
Hi
Our rescue which was starved and dumped in a box🤬 has one of these cysts on her leg and between her toes (same leg). We have her on a wheat free diet, I bath her with F10 and in the last two weeks has been on Cytopoint. Still no improvement. Will and when will the Cytopoint start working?. She has been on antibiotics for these cysts as well.
Hi Karen,
I understand your concern with these cysts on your pup. Cytopoint should start working within the first two days but doesn’t work well for all cases. It stops the “itch signals” from reaching the brain but doesn’t do anything to actually decrease inflammation. I am a bit suspicious that you may be dealing with a different type of cyst than what this article is talking about. The word interdigital translates to between the digits or between the toes. So, the fact that your pup has a similar lump on her leg makes me wonder if they both aren’t something else entirely. Has your vet taken a sample or aspirated these lumps to evaluate the cells under a microscope? It is hard to know how to treat them without having a definitive diagnosis. I recommend you talk to your vet and see if they think this needs more investigation. Hoping you can get the answers you need to get your sweet girl’s health back on track.
A cyst just popped up and I cannot get into vet until tomorrow. What can I do to stop the nonstop licking? He is on meds for yeast infection.
Amy
Hi Amy,
The best way to prevent licking in the short term is to cover the affected area or use an E.collar on your pup. These are not great for long term solutions but since you only need help for less than 24 hours this should do the trick. Make sure if you decide to cover the paw you don’t wrap it too tightly. Also, the bandage has to stay clean and dry. I don’t like covering bandages with plastic bags and such as this leads to moisture buildup on the skin. I hope this helps a bit. Good luck!
My 6 year old terrier/chi mix has his 3rd in a year. First was back right leg twice, now front left. Antibiotics and cream didn’t help, he just licked everything off. After 2nd wasted trip to vet for it in 2 months which nothing was prescribed the 2nd one magically healed. A month or less later the front foot is doing it. I’m at the point where I have to wash it and cone him for hours so he won’t lick it. That’s no way to live and I can’t while I’m at work all day.
Hi Kelly,
I am sorry you are dealing with this frustrating situation with your dog. Unfortunately, without examining your pup myself, it is hard to make specific recommendations. Is your vet aware that the treatment with antibiotics and cream did not work? Or did the cyst go away but now there is just another one that has surfaced? These will probably be an ongoing issue and it may be time to think about laser treatment or talking to a specialist. I hope you can find the answers you need to restore your sweet boy’s quality of life. Praying for a positive outcome.
We adopted a 1 year old Chocolate lab about a year ago ,and we have noticed these exact cysts. Started on front paw and now on all four paws. With 3 kids in college not sure if I can afford anytime soon . Is there anything safe I can treat him with while budgeting a needed vet visit. Thanks hope I don’t come off as a poor pet owner but it’s been a rough couple years !
Hi Chris,
I am sorry your young pup is already having issues with cysts on his paws. I completely understand how finances can get in the way of what we would ideally like to do for our pets. The only thing I can think of that is completely safe to try would be to wipe your dog’s feet with a clean damp washcloth every time he comes in from outside. This will help to remove any dirt or plant material that could be a source of allergens. If allergies are not the driving force behind these cysts in your dog, then this routine may not be beneficial…. but it won’t hurt to try. Also, I recommend you call your vet and let them know about this issue. They can give you an estimate of what it would take to evaluate your pup and what treatment could entail. You may be surprised to find out that it isn’t as expensive as you were thinking or at least you will know the amount you need to start saving up. Best wishes to you both and good luck!
My cane corso has a bad heart and chronic cysts on his front paws . My vet said he can’t handle any procedures . Trying my best to help him with his feet.
Appreciate this site
Aloha Drew
Hi Drew,
I am sorry you are battling this difficult issue in your big guy. Hoping you can find a way to keep your dog comfortable and happy. Wishing you both the best of luck.
My male black pug gets them all the time . In the past 2 years he has had interdigital cysts at least 20 times mainly on one front foot . The only signs he shows thet one is about to flare up is his paw starts to get a bit swollen and then he starts limping and then the lump appears and is very sore . He has six toes on one back foot and that foot is actually shorter then his other legs and my vet as siad thst becuase of the way he walks the hair on his front paw is getting to flat and growing inwards which causes the cyst . I’ve tried antibiotics and epsom salts and even tried keeping his feet clean to no avail. I feel so bad for him as I know it hurts him so much
Dear Bea,
I am so sorry your little guy is dealing with these ongoing issues. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep him as comfortable as possible. I wonder if laser therapy would help prevent the cysts from forming or at least speed up the healing process. This is something you could discuss with your vet. Otherwise, I applaud you for taking such an active role in advocating for your dog’s health and well-being. Wishing you both the best and keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for your article and to your readers for their comments! My dog (a Boston Terrier/Husky mix) developed a cyst on her right front paw I took her to the vet. She checked it, took fluid for analysis, and told me what to do for it but did not explain causes. Thank you for doing that! I was intrigued by the Epsom salt soaks because I was told to keep it dry. I will try some of the suggestions and I will begin a program of sweeping all the floating plant seeds off the deck for prevention! I had never viewed them as a danger to my dogs!!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your kind words! We always love hearing how our articles have helped dogs and their parents.❤️
It sounds like you have a great plan for managing your pup’s interdigital cyst. I hope it is all healed up now and she doesn’t develop any more cysts in the future!
My British Bulldog is having bespoke allergy injections for his many environmental allergies. It’s been 6 months and no improvement. He suffers terribly from interdigital cysts constantly and seems to be on antibiotics more often than not. I bath his paws in diluted Epsom salts but they are ever present. They often burst out a lot of blood when they are full and purple but are so sore. I’m at my wits end for my poor boy.
Hi Jessica,
I am sorry your Bulldog is suffering from recurrent interdigital cysts. It may be time to discuss other treatment options with your vet. Do they have the option of laser surgery? Also, you can always request a consultation with a specialist if needed. I hope you can find the answers you need to help your sweet boy live his best life. Praying for his comfort and relief. Bless you both.
Did you try boost his immune system with probiotics or dietary changes?
My frenchie has cysts on all of his four paws and they are definitely looking better since I give him probiotics and cook his food adding freshly grated tumeric and ginger.
Hi Sonia,
I agree that probiotics and a dog’s diet can make such a huge impact on their health. Thank you for sharing this great advice!
We adopted a 5 year old lab 9 weeks ago. He had previously been a breeding boy that was surrendered to a lab rescue. On the vet intake for the rescue, it was reported he had been severely licking his paws and they had removed what they called an abscess from between the toes of one of his back paws and suspected allergies as the cause. After 2 weeks with us, he had continued to lick and destroy that one back paw as well as aggravate issues on all paws. A trip to our vet resulted in a couple of courses of antibiotics, epsom salt soaks, and generally trying to keep him from going after his paws. This approach seemed to resolve his front paw issues, which were not severe, but did nothing for his back paws. Recommendation from our vet was to do a surgical debridement of the scar tissue and other junk between his toes. We are now 4 days past surgery and the healing process is going well. Not sure if he’ll be able to control his licking but we’re hoping that the paws will be feeling better! We think the issue was a less than good kennel environment in his past. His tendency for licking, we think, is because that’s how he kept himself clean. We live at altitude (over 9,000′) so hoping that will help to eliminate any mite/flea/buggy complications that may have previously contributed to his issues. We have never had this paw issue with any of our last 5 labs so this has been a new one for us. Appreciate your article. Hoping for good results post surgery and no recurrence!
Hi Ellen,
Your sweet boy is so lucky to have found you when he did. I am sure he will have a very happy life ahead and hope his paw issues are now in the past. I am glad the surgery went well, and he seems to be on the road to recovery. Praying this issue is resolved and he will get permanent relief. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. Good luck and bless you both!
We have a black lab names Moose, He is 3 1/2 years old but started getting interdigital cysts for over a year ago. We adopted him from someone when he had this re-occurring issue. The cysts only appear in-between his pinky toes in the webbed area on both front feet, he has not had anything appear on his back paws. We tried oral/topical/steroid medications for 6+ months and felt so bad that he was in pain from this on and off. We looked into getting surgery and a biopsy. The Surgery was successful and the Biopsy came back that it was in fact interdigital furunculosis and was caused by short hairs growing inwards. We felt that this was a huge breakthrough as we have always been told that he has allergies but the surgeon confirmed that he was misdiagnosed, He had the surgery back on January 23, 2023 and has not had any cysts reappear which is great. However, now he is limping on and off on one foot and we don’t know what is causing it. I keep checking his paws and making sure they remain clean and dry but if anyone knows if this is a side affect from the surgery please let me know.
Hi Haley,
I am so glad to hear that Moose’s surgery went well and it resolved his issue with interdigital cysts! I understand your concern with this recent limping problem. Without examining him myself, I can’t say for sure if it is related to the surgery or not. I suppose it is possible there could be surgical complications that would lead to limping, but there are just too many variables to consider. If you have not discussed this with your vet, I highly recommend you let them know what is happening. They can evaluate Moose and decide if more investigation is needed. They may want to take some x-rays just to make sure the bones look normal, and no other abnormalities are seen. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to get your sweet boy feeling his best. Praying for a positive outcome!
My white boxer has his first. (Insert sad face here) He’s had allergies his entire life and we’ve battled many many things with him. This doesn’t seem to be bothering him, but we are in close contact with our vet about this and working on solutions for him. Antibiotics didn’t work,we will be testing fluids coming from it in 10 days- and in the meantime he gets Apoquel, Epsom salt soaks and lots of love. He’s not over weight so I’m thankful for that. This article has a lot of info, so thank you!
Hi Kristie,
I hate that you are dealing with your Boxer’s first interdigital cyst, but glad that he doesn’t seem to be in pain. Have you received the cytology results from the fluid sample? Hoping the information will offer clear direction on how to proceed with treatment. Wishing you and your sweet boy the best of luck. Keep us updated!
Hello, Dr. Buzby – I have a 7-year-old GSD rescue, who has interdigital cysts on both front feet. We’ve tried oral and topical treatments for some time, but the cysts continue to be problematic. Our vet dermatologist is all for CO2 laser surgery, but has never done it and is reluctant to do so. I’ve had no luck finding anyone close who has experience with that procedure (I’m in Richmond, IN). Right now, we’re very seriously considering arranging surgery at Iowa St. Vet Hospital (about an 8-hour drive). I’m wondering if you know of anyone who has experience with laser surgery of interdigital cysts in this region. I’m willing to go anywhere necessary to get this done. Thank you very much for your time.
Mike Benton
Richmond, IN
Hi Mike,
I think laser surgery is a great idea for this issue. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with anyone in that area that offers this as an option. If in doubt I always refer to a veterinary school/teaching hospital due to their access to such a wide variety of treatments and procedures. I think your idea of arranging surgery at Iowa State sounds like a good plan. Wishing your Shepherd the best of luck for a complete resolution. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Thanks for this article. Our 5-yr-old English Bulldog/Border Collie mix has had recurring lesions between the toes of her front right foot. We were unsure how she had been injured, but decided to use antibiotic ointment (bacitracin) and keep wrapped as much as she would allow. This worked and she usually heals in about 10-14 days. We did take her to the vet once and they suspected cheatgrass, but we don’t have any. Finally, in a general video vet visit, when I mentioned this, the vet asked me her specific mix and suggested that it was very likely interdigital cysts. She affirmed our home treatment (last time we used silver honey ointment), as long as it wasn’t getting worse. Our dog gets very stressed at the vet so we try to do what we can at home. Your article helped me understand a little more what this is.
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for the positive feedback on the article. I am sorry your pup struggles with interdigital cysts but glad you are able to manage them well at home. Wishing you both the best and keep up the good work!
My great dane is 8yrs old. We have been fighting these cysts for over 4 years.he has them more often than not. If we can go 4 full weeks without one we are doing good. Right now he has multiple leaions on every foot. Its usually just his back feet that are affected. He gets epsom soaks, medicated shampoo and mupuricin. I also pluck yhe ingrown hairs every few days as his feet conformation causes this. I know hr hurts but we do our best.
Hi Mandi,
I am sorry your big guy suffers from chronic interdigital cysts. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep him as comfortable as possible. I wonder if laser therapy would be of any benefit? Just an idea you may want to discuss with your vet. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. Bless you and your sweet boy.
My dog has 5 cysts on his back foot. I have been treating them for over a month with epsom salt and a skin soother. We saw the vet 2 weeks ago and he gave me some Mupirocin ointment and said to keep doing what I’m doing that they take a long time to heal, but they seem to have only gotten worse and he has developed a new one since seeing the vet. He didn’t want to prescribe him oral antibiotics because he has such a sensitive stomach. I’m just unsure if I should take him back in.
Hi Niki,
I am sorry your dog is struggling with chronic interdigital cysts. If they seem to be getting worse and new ones are forming, I would definitely recommend you take your pup back to the vet for a recheck. It may be time to discuss more invasive treatment options such as surgery. Hoping you can find the best way to restore your dog’s quality of life. Wishing you the best of luck!
My eight year old lab is suffering from her first cyst. She is really uncomfortable! We are on an oral antibiotic and anti fungal wipes. We have a follow up appointment in two weeks! I think it looks worse than better!! The article was very helpful! Thanks!
Hi Sherri,
Thank you for the positive feedback about the article. Hoping this cyst will resolve quickly and your sweet girl can get back to living her best life!
Thank you for the information. I have an overweight doxie who is being treated for the 4th time for the cysts. He is a short haired doxie. I start off with Epsom salts soaks but he needs antibiotics also.
Im happy to learn more about the interdigital cysts.
Hi Shelley,
I am glad you found the article to be helpful and informative. I hope your dog’s cyst clears up quickly. Best wishes!
My chubby boxer is currently being treated for the THIRD time for an interdigital cyst.
Thankful for this article that explains a little better what the causes could be (her weight) and why they have kept returning after all of the treatments.
Hi Becky,
I am glad the article was informative and helpful. Thank you for the feedback! Wishing your Boxer girl the best and hoping the cyst will resolve quickly.