Mutilating Paws - Out of Options - What do we do?

I don't understand the story behind the problem. The who, what, where, when, and why.
 
When did this begin? How often is he going to the vet? Who else have you consulted? Have you seen a holistic vet? What's changed in your life?

Welcome to the forum, I'm sorry to hear about your pup. Theres alot of info missing that would be very helpful so I'll ask. I do think however that you might be dealing with two seperate issues.
What breed of dog?
What food are you feeding? Change in diet doesn't always mean changing to a better diet
Is your dog neutered?
 
Several issues could be causing the feet issues. My biggest concern is for the lack of urinating/drinking.
Did your vet run any thyroid tests?

This problem began about two years ago.  It seemed to somewhat coincide with a series of shots Snowball received, which I have since discontinued.  He is a Maltese.  Nothing significant has changed in our lives.  He is eating ZD Ultra (I think that's correct).  I have not tried anything holistic.  The vet has not run any blood tests.  He also has a lot of scabs on his body which seems to indicate skin issues. Yes, he has been neutered. We have not consulted anyone else but the vet.

Hi -- seems to me the vet hasn't done many of the typical things I'd expect.  One of the FIRST would be to test this dogs thyroid, and at the same time a full blood panel should be done.  There could be SO many things going on.
 
You don't say where you are located and the other thing I'm thinking of is something like a contact allergy.  The $500 allergy test likely won't do much -- you need the more specific test to really find out much on specific allergens. 
 
Dogs can just plain get depressed because they feel miserable ... or this could be a deeper health issue which this vet isn't uncovering.  I had the worlds worst allergy problems with one of my dogs and it took some serious searching but we ultimately found out he had a thyroid problem that was the underlying cause of why we couldn't get the allergies to respond.
 
But honestly -- this vet may be at the end of their expertise.  Dog allergies can be a huge problem but honestly food allergies are often not the root problem.  I would have this dog to a good holistic vet in a quick heartbeat (or as quick as I could get into a VERY **good** holistic vet). 
 
I've often referred people to the Chi Institute website - they have a great locator for vets who practice the traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (not a Chinese vet -- a vet who practices the Oriental style of herbals and acupuncture). 
 
Yes, this can help skin problems enormously. 
 
I'm suspecting that there may be something in the yard that is causing part of the problem -- pesticide, and especially a contact allergy from grass -- a dog can literally refuse to step ON grass without great trauma, and then stop eating and drinking so they don't have to pee/poop.  The end result is illness and depression. 
 
A holistic vet will charge differently than a regular vet.  Usually the initial consult is more expensive (sometimes like $100 or $120) but that will include treatment of whatever modality they practice (like acupuncture).    But I'm astonished that this vet hasn't even done a blood panel on a dog that is reluctant to eat or drink.  So honestly, I'd go have the holistic vet run bloodwork too. 
 
Please don't give up on this dog -- there is SO much that could and should be tried.

Do you love your dog? I mean, enough to try a few more things? I can't imagine how exhausted you all are after dealing with this for this long of a time, but there are a few more things you could try--and I think that's why you came here.
 
I'm from Idaho, I'm native Idahoan, and I love my holistic vet. I know it might sound corny, which is why I wanted to put it out there that I'm from a no-frills state, but she's done things for my pets, including my cats, that I didn't imagine possible.
 
Food, food dishes, where the water comes from, the type of shots he's received, whether you have carpet or not, how he's walked or exercised--all of that matters to my holistic vet. My pets have also received acupuncture.
 
I'll send a PM to CallieCritters. She's a godsend--as busy as she is in her own life, she gives so much to people here.

Oh, goodness, she's here! Hello and thanks in advance, CallieCritters! Good to see you chime in--you're so wonderful.
 
Have a good night!

Nancy I just felt those I-dogger thots/prayers/vibes LOL

Thanks for the answers, that does help us help you and your dog. As Calie said, your vet might be at the end of their expertise and going to another or differnt type of vet could help. I'm still on the thyroid boat as well with what you've posted as an underlying issue. The other is grains in the food. As far as enviornmental allergies Callie has in the past recommended a tea rinse for the feet when you're coming in the house. If had feet eaters in the past and found that diet was the root of their issues but it took some time and trials to get to that point.
Don't give up yet, theres still many options that could be very simple 

I would also check for common ingredeients in the foods you have tried. 

I don't understand the vet saying that you've tried everything when he hasn't even run any blood tests.  And, not just allergy tests, he should run as other have suggested a complete work up.  It could be something as simple as thyroid which is pretty easy to treat and pretty inexpensive.  If it is allergy it would be worth it to find out, maybe he won't need shots, it might be a food and you could stay away from that. 

Until you get some answers, have you tried Benedryl at all?  That might help with this chewing of the paws which is probably because he's very itchy. 

I had the thought that this might be behavioral at first, but he wouldn't stop doing other things if it was I don't think.  It might be but I think if it was my dog I'd rule out physical things first. 

We took Willow to a dermatologist a few years ago too and she was very helpful. 

I'm suspecting that there may be something in the yard that is causing part of the problem -- pesticide, and especially a contact allergy from grass -- a dog can literally refuse to step ON grass without great trauma, and then stop eating and drinking so they don't have to pee/poop. The end result is illness and depression.

I agree w/ this too, I agree w/ all the posters but this jumped out at me when you said he climbs on your legs when you put him outside. Are you using anything on the lawn? fertilizer? weed killer?

I checked the Chi Institute's web site, and there is not a holistic vet anywhere near us (AL).  The closest is over an hour away; the remainder are 2-5 hours away.
 
I will ask the vet about doing blood work to determine if the problem could be something else not obvious to us.
 
I love my dog and am very attached to him.  But I believe in being reasonable when it comes to animals.  My husband talked to someone last night who has spent $15,000 trying to treat their dog who has a similar problem.  Between the food, medication, shots, vet expenses, and medication, they have spent $15,000.  That is beyond what I consider a reasonable attempt.

He is lethargic, not drinking water, and does not want to urina

 
You have to have bloodwork done to see just what is going on.  This does sound serious.  It could be thyroid or worse, his kidneys.  Have the bloodwork done at a reputable vet and take it from there.  I wouldn't wait to do this either.
Good luck with the pup.

Yes, I love my dog very much, but, as I pointed out in another post, I do want to be reasonable.  I'm sure we could spend thousands of dollars attempting to treat our pet; however, that is not reasonable to me.  We do have carpet, but to take up our carpet and put down alternate flooring would cost thousands and thousands of dollars.  This is an animal, not a human.  BUT...I am concerned that there are simple remedies that we may have overlooked.  This is what I'm trying to determine.  I am going to make some changes immediately, such as using only filtered water for his drinking bowl, cleaning his bowls with soap daily.