dandruff and biting paws

I wouldn't give up on the new food yet.  What do you feed besides that though?  I assume none of the ingredients he's allergic to are in the new food?  Are you using the KetaChlor on his entire body?  Just me, but I didn't have much success with that shampoo.  Here's a couple suggestions, and believe me, I've got the allergy lab from h*%%, especially when it comes to itchy paws.  Boil some tea bags, but do it stronger than you would drink it.  Let it cool off and put it in something like a squirt (not sprary) bottle.  Make it a point to drench the feet with the tea solution 2-3 times a day.  For my lab it's easiest to just lay her down and pour it on.  I then gently blot for a min. or so and then try to dry them as best I can without irritating them too much.  The tea has worked better for me than anything else in drying up the skin infection on the feet. 
 
If that doesn't work, I'd go back to the vet and see about more/different antibiotics.  Sometimes the infections can be really stubborn and honestly for us, Keflex has worked better than any other antibiotic.
 
Also, most importantly, are you using any type of antihistamine?  If not, you might give that a try too.  If you can't get him to leave the feet alone, the constant itching will likely keep that infection going..and going.

   I'm sorry that Jake is having problems. I have found that a combination of Epi-Soothe shampoo and Resicort- Leave- On -Lotion from Virbac;   [linkhttp://www.virbacvet.com/product_guide/allergicderm.html]http://www.virbacvet.com/product_guide/allergicderm.html[/link]  help a lot with the dandruff and itching. I get these products from my vet. Resicort has a steroid to relieve itching; you can use it between shampoos if necessary. Adding a fish oil supplement to his food can help too. Cathy's right about using an antihistamine; many vets like Benedryl. Here's a link to antihistamines that can be given to dogs and dosages ;    [linkhttp://www.utskinvet.org/pdf/antihists.pdf]http://www.utskinvet.org/pdf/antihists.pdf[/link] .   Antihistamines are more effective when fish oil is given too.  Did you learn about the food allergies through a blood test; if so, take the results with a grain of salt. Many veterinary dermatologists including mine do not think blood tests for food allergies are reliable but blood tests for environmental allergies are. Allergen immunotherapy can help with his allergy to the molds; a vaccine is made with extracts of the allergens that he reacts to and you or the vet give him shots subcutaneously on a set schedule. He should build some immunity to the molds and have fewer problems. Jessie had worse problems than Jake and allergy shots have helped her. But, I would try the antihistamines, fish oil, and tea soaks first.

Regarding the dandruff, if he was just groomed, I am assuming a bath was part of the grooming process?  When I see dandruff after a bath I figure the dog wasn't rinsed properly and I discuss it with the groomer.  Dandruff is common after Odie gets a bath at Petsmart, which is the reason I no longer take him there.

Cathy,
 
I homecook for Jake.  I only used the KetaChlor on his paws, not his entire body.  I will try the tea bags, but I would think that he would like his paws more, trying to taste the tea!  LOL!  I called the vet last night and he is going to take the Cipro for another two weeks and she is going to add an antihistamine and steriod.  They wanted to give the the antihistamine and steriod the first time, but I was afraid the antihistamine would make him too sleepy and the steriod would make him more hungry.  But I will try it this time if it will help him.
 
Jessies Mom,
 
I will look into the Epi-Soothe shampoo and Resicort-Leave-On-Lotion.  I did find out about all his allergies by a blood test.  So I don't know how accurate they are, but I keep away from those foods anyway. 
 
Billy,
 
Yes, he did just have a bath and it was at PetSmart.  I didn't know that not rinsing properly can cause dandruff.  I'll have to ask her to rinse him better next time.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies.  I appreciate it.
Michelle

I will try the tea bags, but I would think that he would like his paws more, trying to taste the tea! LOL!

 
I figured the same thing, but I guess they don't have the same tastes as us when it comes to some things [].  Something in the tea (tannins, I think) really help to dry things up and calm the itchiness.  I had been given the Ketachlor for the same thing as you, but it just didn't seem to help.  I'm not the most patient person tho, so maybe I didn't give a good enough trial.  In addition to the things Janice recommended, I have had the very best luck with skin problems using Nu Sal T shampoo.  I've had to order it online, but it really worked best for us.  My lab's black, so dandruff is super obvious when she's having problems.
 
As for the antihistamines, try to hang in there even if you notice a little sleepiness.  They really do adjust to it and it can be such a huge help.  If you can get Jake thru this worst of times with only using the steroids short-term and then use antihistamines, you'll be much better off (it's far safer than steroids). 
 
Good luck and let us know how he's doing.

I did find out about all his allergies by a blood test. So I don't know how accurate they are, but I keep away from those foods anyway.

 
  You sure don't want to take any chances right now; poor Jake. I hope the tea soaks help. Dogs with allergies often have dandruff because they have drier skin and coat; they lose more moisture through their skin than normal dogs. The Epi-Soothe shampoo is good at restoring moisture to the skin and coat. There is a spray made by Virbac called Humilac that I sometimes use for Jessie when she has dandruff; it can be used as often as necessary and works very well. When Jessie had dandruff last winter I used it twice a week and worked great. I haven't used the NuSalT shampoo so I don't know if it's good for dandruff or not but it's very good for relieving itchy skin.