Crate Sores

I want to touch on this subject, to help those who pull from shelters and pounds, and those who adopt from them.  Many times, dogs have injuries, hot spots or sores throughout their body.  Sometimes that is a result from a food allergy, or a flea bite.  Sometimes these injuries were created by their handler.

I have reviewed the paperwork of hundreds of dogs from dozens of shelters, and once and a while they will comment about hair loss on the paw.  Understand that mange usually presents around the eyes, and on the face.  Hot spots are rarely on the top of a paw.

A crate sore is created when a human pulls a dog out of crate too quickly, the dog is scared, and slams on his brakes!  The dog applies all of his weight to his rear to prevent leaving the crate, and while the human continues to drag him out, the dog’s front paws get stuck under the bar of the crate.  If enough pressure is applied, this can seriously damage the paws, and sometimes result in a break of the bone.  When humans lift a dog from a wire crate, and do not lift the dog high enough, sometimes the back paws get stuck, resulting in the same injury.  This is very common in pups.

Recently Polly Pocket came to us with one severe crate sore on her hind leg, and she was shy fearful.  Goldie Hawn had crate sores on all of her paws, she was emaciated, and not socialized.  This type of sore does not necessarily need medication unless it’s infected, it present severe hair loss, and will clear up on its own, however, it could create a very shy and fearful dog.  The dog may be afraid of entering a crate, and the dog should be treated with patience, and motivated (maybe with treats) to over come their fear of the crate.

Please be aware of this when cruising the shelters and pounds, and know that a dog with crate sores may have been handled by someone with a heavy hand, or by someone in a hurry.   They are worth saving, rescuing or adopting, but at least you’ll understand why a crate by present fear.