WHAT ARE INTERDIGITAL FURUNCLES?
“Interdigital furuncles, often incorrectly referred to as interdigital cysts, are painful nodular lesions located in the interdigital webs of dogs. Histologically, these lesions represent areas of nodular pyogranulomatous inflammationthey are almost never cystic. [Photo on Web Page – looks VERY sore!] Etiology: The most common cause is a deep bacterial infection. Many breeds (eg, Shar Pei, Labrador Retriever, English Bulldog) are predisposed to bacterial interdigital furunculosis because of the short bristly hairs located on the webbing between the toes, prominent interdigital webbing, or both. The short shafts of hairs are easily forced backward into the hair follicles during locomotion (traumatic implantation). Hair, ie, keratin, is very inflammatory in the skin, and secondary bacterial infections are common. Less commonly, foreign material is traumatically embedded in the skin. … Canine atopy (Allergic Inhalant Dermatitis: Introduction) is also a common cause of recurrent interdig
