Dog Community

OK I am totally paranoid...

Posted : 5/3/2006 10:45:30 PM

Ok, so it's been 2 days since I've switched foods, and the same time I switched, I also put on some Frontline Plus and he has been itching a whole lot and licking his paws (at the same time he's finishing every meal which is rare). Is this the food or the frontline or nothing at all? [&:]
Would it be this soon if there was an allergy to the food or should I stick it out a bit longer?

kennel_keeper

Posted : 5/4/2006 4:17:01 AM

Maybe it's neither. I just heard that the GRASS AND TREE pollens in our area are on the very high levels. Try wiping his paws when he comes in from the outdoors.

forpaws

Posted : 5/4/2006 6:49:27 AM

I say the same. Usually it take a while to develop food allergies. In other words, a dog has to be on a particular food for a long time before you'll see an allergy towards it. Unless it is immediate, with swelling and hives.
The flea stuff usually if the pet is allergic to it, will break out and skin becomes really red and inflamed..
I agree with Kennel Keeper, try what she suggested.

papillon806

Posted : 5/4/2006 8:24:09 AM

Good idea, I think I will do that. Now that I think about it, he has been outside a lot this week (a lot more than normal). I will try wiping his feet off and see if that helps. Thanks!

cakana

Posted : 5/4/2006 12:26:48 PM

My labs doing the same thing (paw licking) and our pollen counts are real high right now too. I used a black tea solution last year and it seemed to help a lot. I need to get that mixed up again for sure.

christina

Posted : 5/4/2006 1:33:56 PM

What do you do with the black tea? Feed it? Make tea and wipe down the paws??? Just curious....

christina

Posted : 5/4/2006 1:34:22 PM

Will the black tea solution work for me?????

jessies_mom

Posted : 5/4/2006 1:44:34 PM

What do you do with the black tea? Feed it? Make tea and wipe down the paws???

You dip the dog's feet in it whenever they've been outside.

jessies_mom

Posted : 5/4/2006 3:02:57 PM

In addition to the black tea for the paws, bathing followed by a conditioner helps with the body itching; there are many good shampoos and conditioners at the pet store to relieve itching. A fatty acid supplement such as DermCaps can help, and if you combine it with an antihistamine there is a good chance it will give your dog some relief. You can also keep your dog indoors during the time of day when pollen counts are the highest. Keep an eye on the paws for yeast and bacterial infections that can result from the licking; with some dogs like Sassy it's yeast, but with Jessie it was bacterial. They can absorb allergens through their skin, so even rinsing your dog will help if you don't want to bathe her too often.

cakana

Posted : 5/4/2006 3:31:59 PM

Yep to all that Janice said. The tea solution seemed to help clear up the yeasty feet and keep it in check last summer. Nothing tough about it either. I just put 2-3 tea bags in a pot of hot water and let it steep for a few minutes. Cooled it and then I chose to put it in a bottle with a spout. I find it easier to just sort of douse Sassy's feet in it and blot them with a towel right before she comes in. I don't do it everytime (which would be better) but at least once at the end of the day.

tony

Posted : 5/4/2006 5:07:23 PM

It could be any kind of allergy this time of year, but when I tried feeding Royal Canin to my German Shepherd she itched really bad and licked her paws, I fed the RC GS24 formula, and I eventually figured out she was really sensitive to the soy in that particular formula, I was disappointed because Abby is a real fussy eater and that was one food she absolutely loved, oh and the itching and licking began within days of starting the food.

kennel_keeper

Posted : 5/4/2006 5:48:33 PM

An ACV and water solution works great as well! There was a recent study that showed that more frequent bathing will really help with dogs that have enviromental allergies. Most of the better shampoos are detergent/soap free and won't dry out the skin. We use an oatmeal shampoo and rinse for dogs with the "itchies". There is also an anti-itch spray that has oatmeal and a lick deterent (bitter apple, maybe?).

papillon806

Posted : 5/4/2006 7:32:33 PM

ORIGINAL: abbysdad

It could be any kind of allergy this time of year, but when I tried feeding Royal Canin to my German Shepherd she itched really bad and licked her paws, I fed the RC GS24 formula, and I eventually figured out she was really sensitive to the soy in that particular formula, I was disappointed because Abby is a real fussy eater and that was one food she absolutely loved, oh and the itching and licking began within days of starting the food.

Luckily the RC formula I'm feeding doesn't have soy or anything like that. The only thing that would cause an allergy (most likely) is the corn gluten meal.....but of course the breeder I got him from fed SD small bites, so I dunno. I really think it's a pollen thing, but I'm definatley gonna finish the bag and see if it persists. I called my friend (who's parents are the breeder I got him from) and he said that Wolfie's parents and the puppy that he kept doesn't have any allergies to food, but they are sensitive to pollen, etc.

brookcove

Posted : 5/4/2006 9:08:11 PM

I agree with more frequent bathing helping allergy prone dogs. Also, this may not occur to a lot of people - it didn't until my young children starting suffering from asthma - clean house frequently during pollen season! Anything you can do to reduce the different types of allergens, and the amount, that your dog is exposed to, will increase your dog's ability to tolerate unavoidable exposure on his or her own.

antihistimines help during this time, too. Ask your vet for dosages, and different types if the first suggestion doesn't help. Dogs can use several different OTC medications and several different prescription drugs, too.

Amelia

Posted : 5/5/2006 8:37:45 AM

Glad I read this thread. My Bailey's been licking her paws a lot lately and I did think it was probably from grass, etc. I wipe her paws off when she comes it (mostly to get fertilizer or any chemicals off that she may have stepped on in the grass b/c it's the time of year when everyone's doing that) but I will start washing them or applying something to help in case it's allergies. Personally I wouldn't use antihistimines except as a last resort for a very bad case. There are other products that can help that aren't drugs (like the black tea mentioned, witch hazel solution, different essential oils in a spritzer solution, etc).

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