Any idea what is this thing on paw?

Hi - hope someone can help please.  My staffie has a red bulbous angry looking mass next to and under his claw and the pad looks split too. I will try to attach photos. Really appreciate your opinions

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That does look sore and a little infected. My advice would be to pop down to the vets to ensure that there is nothing in the toe or under the nail. By the looks it's been an issue a while as the nail has grown around it and isn't being worn like the others.

If you can't get a vets appointment sooner it might be an idea to wash the paw in a salt water solution.

Thanks for the advice - I have been bathing it with cooled boiled water with a little salt dissolved into it. We have had a funny (strange) experience with him recently; where in the middle of the night he tried to get into the cellar which has a wooden door and was locked and he must have scrabbled at the door (we could see where he'd scratched the paint off and some of the wood! (this may explain the injury) I have also found him first thing in the morning shut into the downstairs toilet - it's as though something is spooking him in the night. We are going to get a cctv set up to see if we can find out what's scaring him and in the meantime leave the cellar door open so he can 'escape' into there if he feels frightened.  Will definitely get him to the vet although he's also very scared there too and we have to muzzle him when the vet comes near

It could well be a wood splinter if he's scratching doors. They do get spooked more at night, Katy is ultra alert when its dark As Liz has said a vet visit is probably best, let us know how he gets on

will do, thanks

quick update on Rocky's paw - we are now 2 months on and still struggling to find out whats going on. Been to the vets so many times, at first we thought it was damage to the claw caused by the trauma (when he scratched the cellar door to pieces) and that the red growth was where the nail had split and it was the quick showing. But, after a few days the 'quick' showed no signs of drying and retreating back into the nail and if anything it was getting bigger and more sticky and occasionally bleeding a tiny bit. Back to the vet, she decided to have him in to remove the nail completely and take a sample to send to the lab for analysis. Afterwards he was bandaged up and several times back and forth to redress and clean up etc. The sample came back non cancerous but showing signs of infection. Forgot to say that all of this time he is on antibiotics right from the first visit and regular bathing with hibiscrub. After bandages taken off (about a week) still no change. Vet mentioned at this point the possiblity of taking the toe off completely. Must admit a bit reluctant to do this. We went on hols for a week and continued to protect the paw when going out by placing a childs sock and taping on and then leaving to fresh air when back to holiday home. Have also tried bathing in epsom salts, pseudocream, savlon and wound powder to try and dry it up. I have posted a few more photos, taken today. I do think his toe looks rather swollen when comparing it with the other paw.
Any comments, ideas, very gratefully received. (We are going back again to the vet on Wednesday for another examination and I think she will recommend the amputation again.) Do you think we should ask for an xray to check if there is any degradation to the bone?

https://s1165.photobucket.com/user/woodsleighroc/media/rockys%20paw%201.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

https://s1165.photobucket.com/user/woodsleighroc/media/a1f37d72-cfd0-496d-a196-26b904ad0f68.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

https://s1165.photobucket.com/user/woodsleighroc/media/a1f37d72-cfd0-496d-a196-26b904ad0f68.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

Aww bless him, hope he feels better. I don't like anyone touching my toes either lol xx