Itching, licking paws

    • Gold Top Dog

    Itching, licking paws

    Rupert has been itchy and licking his paws more frequently lately. He is not flaky or shedding and his coat is still glossy.
     
    Then only new food he has eaten were some treats that a trainer brought on March 10. How do I know if that is what caused the problem? How long does it take for the itchiness to go away? I'm new to the allergy department, so far he has been very easy, he even likes baths. [;)]
    • Gold Top Dog
    If he has, or gets, a yeast infection, it can get pretty bad and last a long time.  My lab was driving us crazy with the paw licking last summer and I started using Callie's recommendation of rinsing them in black tea.  Sassy didn't mind it and it really seemed to calm the itching down.  The vet told us we could also use a 1 part vinegar: 3 parts water solution and do the same thing. 
    It could be a reaction to something he's walked on and not related to food at all. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    It prob is the treat the trainer gave him. Did he start with the itchies soon after he ate that treat?
    Also it has been my experience that a dog develops allergies to a certain food that they have been on for over a year.
    There are also micro organisims that get into their pads, which you cannot see, but they feel and it does drive them absolutly crazy with itchies.

    • Gold Top Dog
    Opppssss I meant SHE, Sorry
    • Gold Top Dog
    Good point. The snow is starting to melt around here, so we have some patches of yard showing through. And I've been taking him for walks more now that there's more of a shoulder on the roads.
    • Gold Top Dog
    You were right Angel, it's HE! [:D]
    I'm not sure exactly when they started. It wasn't anything excessive, I think that's why I didn't really notice it, and now I'm having a hard time figuring out what's causing it. [sm=sad.gif]
    • Gold Top Dog
    ORIGINAL: cakana
    I started using Callie's recommendation of rinsing them in black tea. The vet told us we could also use a 1 part vinegar: 3 parts water solution and do the same thing.

    I think I'm going to try this tonight. How often should I do this? Just once? Or do I wait a few days and if he's still itchy do it again?
    • Gold Top Dog
    At least once a day, and preferrably every time he comes inside.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yep - what Glenda said.  I did it everytime I brought Sassy in the house.  I just made a couple cups worth of the tea and put it in one of those flip top bottles and kept by the door.  Before I brought her in, I'd just pour some on the ;paw (from the bottom, so it gets in between the toes) and wipe it off with a towel.  She didn't mind at all and she usually doesn't like having her paws played with [;)].
    • Gold Top Dog
    Ok, I've done it a few times (with black tea). But... I put Musher's Secret on his paws because of the cold. I think the last time I put it on was about a month ago. It seems like there's still a bit on there, because the tea beads up/doesn't really soak in in some spots. Is there a way to get that off? Do you think the vinegar/water solution would work better?
    • Gold Top Dog
    I'm not sure if the vinegar/water solution would penetrate better, but usually the itchy areas (where yeast get bad) is in the areas between the toes.  If it's penetrating in those areas, I think you're fine.  It may take a few days to notice a difference.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Ok, now I feel like a bad mama for not noticing this earlier. Are these black spots bad? They seem to be in the follicles.



    • Gold Top Dog
    Another...



    • Gold Top Dog
    I'm not sure if that's a sign of the yeast infection (assuming it is a yeast infection) or normal discoloration or discoloration that comes from the saliva and licking.  Sassy's a black lab, so I probably wouldn't notice it as much, but mainly you would see inflammation and dampness if it's a yeast infection.  The good news is that, no matter what the problem is, the tea solution (or vinegar/water solution) won't hurt and might help.  I'd give it a few days and see if it clears up (and the licking stops) and if not, might be time for a trip to the vet.