Got a question about Mr. Blue's toes... it seems like

[Mary Plummer]

they're bleeding right where the nail connects with the toe. It's only on his left back paw, which is interesting. I was rinsing off his paws, because there's a lot of salt out on our walks now. I did notice him chewing on this paw before our evening walk, but it wasn't until we got back that I noticed the blood. I'm going to take him to our vets as soon as I can, either tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning. In the meantime, I thought I'd use an antibiotic rinse we've got on them. What do you think this is? I'm wondering why it's only the one paw and not all of them, if it is the salt. He does have bad pollen allergies, but they've been decreasing slowly until this back paw thing.

[E's]

Glad to hear you will be taking him in to the vet... Any paw injury troubles me too - having been around horses a lot and also remembering the admonition (sp?) in T. H. White's "The Once and Future King" where Merlin teaches the boy Arthur that the horse, the hawk and the hound are "Beasts of the Foot" because to be viable at all, these beasts must have hoof, claw or paw...

Anyhow, here is an excerpt from "Cold Weather Concerns" in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats"...

... dogs occasionally develop small ice balls between their toes that can lead to frostbitten feet. "You should regularly trim out the long hair between the pads so it doesn't become the focus for ice-ball formation"... ... "While you're doing a 'pet-icure', check to see if ice has scraped or cut the pads.... [if there is damage] apply a little first aid ointment containing an antiseptic to help prevent infection. Then rub on a little hand lotion or aloe vera to keep the pads soft..."

You've already done this, but maybe the quote will make you feel better!