What the Merck Veterinary Manual says
An abscess, or localized infection of the skin, between the toes is also called an interdigital furuncle. It is similar to a severely infected pimple or boil on the face. These painful, pus-filled blisters often occur in the webbing between a dog’s toes.
The most common cause of furuncles between the toes is a deep bacterial infection. Many dog breeds (for example, Chinese Shar-Peis, Labrador Retrievers, and English Bulldogs) are predisposed to the condition because they have short, bristly hairs on the webbing between the toes and/or prominent amounts of webbing. The short hair shafts are easily forced backward into the hair follicles while the dog is walking. Ingrown hairs are very inflammatory in the skin, and secondary bacterial infections are common. Less commonly, a hair shaft can become infected if foreign material, such as a splinter or burr, becomes embedded in the skin.
Early signs of infected hair follicles that could become furuncles are rash-like redness and small bumps in one spot or over the entire webbing between the toes. If left untreated, the bumps will rapidly develop into shiny, reddish purple boils 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1 to 2 centimeters) in diameter. The boils may rupture when pressed and leak bloody fluid. Furuncles are usually painful, and the dog may be obviously lame on the affected foot (or feet) and lick and bite at them. Furuncles caused by a foreign object are usually solitary and often occur on a front foot. Recurrence is not common. If a bacterial infection is causing the problem, there may be several furuncles with new ones developing as others heal.
More from the Merck guidance
Using antibiotics improperly, such as not finishing the entire prescription, can lead to longterm, recurring furuncles between the toes. Furuncles can also recur if the bacteria are not susceptible to the antibiotic prescribed. If furuncles recur in spite of proper treatment, it may be a sign of an underlying disease (such as parasites, hypothyroidism, or fungal infection). Furuncles in confined dogs are likely to recur unless the dog is removed from wire or concrete surfaces. In some longterm cases, surgical excision or surgical correction of the webbing may be needed. The most common causes of recurrent furuncles in dogs are atopy and demodicosis.
Cysts (pockets of fluid or other material under the skin) or comedones (clogged hair follicles) also occur on the webbing between toes. Affected dogs may limp and have draining sores between their toes. Multiple clogged follicles may be seen, along with hair loss and thickened skin. Biopsy is necessary to diagnose interdigital cysts or comedones. Laser therapy can be used to successfully treat this condition. Antibiotics may be necessary to treat bacterial infections that also develop. Frequent bandage changes or other treatments may also be required.
Frequently asked questions
Abscesses between the toes interdigital furunculosis in dogs?
The Merck Veterinary Manual covers this in the article linked on this page. An abscess, or localized infection of the skin, between the toes is also called an interdigital furuncle. It is similar to a severely infected pimple… If your dog is unwell, contact your veterinarian — this page is educational, not a diagnosis.
Abscess between dogs toes?
The Merck Veterinary Manual covers this in the article linked on this page. An abscess, or localized infection of the skin, between the toes is also called an interdigital furuncle. It is similar to a severely infected pimple… If your dog is unwell, contact your veterinarian — this page is educational, not a diagnosis.
What causes interdigital furunculosis in dogs?
The Merck Veterinary Manual covers this in the article linked on this page. An abscess, or localized infection of the skin, between the toes is also called an interdigital furuncle. It is similar to a severely infected pimple… If your dog is unwell, contact your veterinarian — this page is educational, not a diagnosis.