Itching, licking paws

• Itching, licking paws janobonano Posted : 3/24/2006 3:29:25 PM 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. [] LIKE 13 REPLIES 2216 VIEWS LAST POST CAKANA Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• cakana Posted : 3/24/2006 3:37:38 PM 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.  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• forpaws Posted : 3/24/2006 3:38:33 PM 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. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• forpaws Posted : 3/24/2006 3:39:24 PM Opppssss I meant SHE, Sorry 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• janobonano Posted : 3/24/2006 3:40:26 PM 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. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• janobonano Posted : 3/24/2006 3:43:29 PM You were right Angel, it's HE! [] 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] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• janobonano Posted : 3/24/2006 3:48:39 PM 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? 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• glenmar Posted : 3/24/2006 3:53:32 PM At least once a day, and preferrably every time he comes inside. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• cakana Posted : 3/24/2006 4:27:39 PM 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 aw (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 []. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• janobonano Posted : 3/25/2006 2:07:09 PM 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? 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• cakana Posted : 3/25/2006 2:16:12 PM 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. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• janobonano Posted : 3/27/2006 10:46:28 AM 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. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• janobonano Posted : 3/27/2006 10:47:06 AM Another... 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• cakana Posted : 3/27/2006 11:28:28 AM 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. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login