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

Snowball has been chewing his paws all afternoon and evening now. The steroid shot has obviously worn off and the antihystamines are not working. We are back where we started. I am crushed.

 
As some people have already said, the stuff only alleviates and masks your dogs symptoms.  As a lot of people seem to agree, getting bloodwork would not be such a horrible idea...
 
I really feel like I have wasted my time posting to you and won't say it again, Bye

I think that if you are seriously thinking about rehoming your dog, you need to make your "rescuer" aware of the dog's health issues, lest that person simply be saddled with getting to love a dog, then finding out that they must pay through the nose to do what you are unwilling to do.
And, since, again, your decision seems to be a financial one, and you are only too willing to listen to only one vet, and not do allergy testing (which may not be the solution, but it's a chance I would take), then perhaps Snowball is better off somewhere else anyway.

Bloodwork is not only done to detect disease, it's done so that your vet would have a baseline to refer to.  Most people don't bother - I do.  But, I can understand why your vet might not suggest it, or the allergy shots - if you have made comments about the expense, he might be trying to save you some cash.  That means, however, that your dog will receive treatments aimed at symptoms, so that you will be happy he isn't mutilating, which, since you have not addressed a root cause, he still is.  What it also means is that any extraordinary means of testing will probably be ignored, which you have just said you plan to do.
As to whether your area is a "valley of sickness" or not, frankly, that doesn't matter - you are simply using that as a justification not to treat the dog.  And, despite that, he may move to another area not so "sick" but which has the same allergen that triggers his worst response - since you have not bothered to try to find out what that is. 
Instead of being aggressive about finding an answer for the dog, your vet may be feeding off your reluctance to spend more time and money, and you are only too willing to go along with him not being aggressive so that you can say "my vet said..." as a justification for giving up.   Shame on you.  At least call a spade a spade and take responsibility for your unwillingness to go further.

ORIGINAL: agilebcs

I've tried to read everything posted in the last few days...

Why, why, why are you not doing a blood workup and thryroid test on this dog?  You really seem to care about your dog but for a dog with these ongoing problems you need to see if there's an underlying issue here other than allergies and your vet bullying you into not running tests is ridiculous.

Totally anecdotal but my sister's dog chewed her feet for years before a vet finally tested her thyroid and found it to be extremely low.  You are ok with spending hundreds on antibiotics and steroids and antihistamines when you have no idea if the problem is allergies?  My sister though it was allergies too. 

 
First of all, I've consulted two vets in our area.  Neither suggested blood work, and the last vet did not believe that Snowball's thyroid could be causing this problem. 
 
Yes, we could run blood work and spend another $100+; and if that reveals nothing, you can ask why we haven't done allergy testing ($400-500 including the serum).  Where does it end?  At some point, we must draw the line.  Our dog is miserable from not only the itching paws (assuming they do itch) but also from the side effects of the various medications prescribed to him.  He's stressed going to the vet all the time and clings to me for dear life.  When do we stop subjecting our dog to OUR desires?  Do we ever reach a point of being selfish?  Our "original" vet told me we have already done MORE than what most people do.  What does this tell you?
 
My husband said "no" to allergy testing, but I can ask if he will consider blood work - our last effort to diagnose our dog.  If everything turns out OK, then we can safely assume allergies is the problem (paw-chewing isn't the only symptom - he sneezes and scratches, too).

Spiritdogs, I do not elevate animals to the same level as human beings, which is apparantly what many here have done.  This is why you are not able to understand where I am coming from and cannot comprehend that after a reasonable attempt, a line must be drawn somewhere.

My family member is aware of Snowball's health problems.  He has not yet consented to caring for him.  However, he also has a proper respect and understanding of an animal's place in our lives and will be reasonable as well.  The whole point of rehoming Snowball would be to see if he does better in another environment. 

I am not a vet so I rely on their guidance to make the best decisions for Snowball.  I also do research of my own, which often coincides with the advice I have already received.  I take full responsiblity for my decisions, guided by TWO vets (not one).  Our "original" vet said we have already done MORE than what most people do.  That should tell you something.

ORIGINAL: Dog_Lover1221

ORIGINAL: agilebcs

I've tried to read everything posted in the last few days...

Why, why, why are you not doing a blood workup and thryroid test on this dog?  You really seem to care about your dog but for a dog with these ongoing problems you need to see if there's an underlying issue here other than allergies and your vet bullying you into not running tests is ridiculous.

Totally anecdotal but my sister's dog chewed her feet for years before a vet finally tested her thyroid and found it to be extremely low.  You are ok with spending hundreds on antibiotics and steroids and antihistamines when you have no idea if the problem is allergies?  My sister though it was allergies too. 

First of all, I've consulted two vets in our area.  Neither suggested blood work, and the last vet did not believe that Snowball's thyroid could be causing this problem. 

Yes, we could run blood work and spend another $100+; and if that reveals nothing, you can ask why we haven't done allergy testing ($400-500 including the serum).  Where does it end?  At some point, we must draw the line.  Our dog is miserable from not only the itching paws (assuming they do itch) but also from the side effects of the various medications prescribed to him.  He's stressed going to the vet all the time and clings to me for dear life.  When do we stop subjecting our dog to OUR desires?  Do we ever reach a point of being selfish?  Our "original" vet told me we have already done MORE than what most people do.  What does this tell you?

My husband said "no" to allergy testing, but I can ask if he will consider blood work - our last effort to diagnose our dog.  If everything turns out OK, then we can safely assume allergies is the problem (paw-chewing isn't the only symptom - he sneezes and scratches, too).

 
From reading all of your responses on this thread (and I read it in the beginning and just went back and read the pages I missed), I just get the feeling that you're looking for justification in either rehoming or putting him down. 
 
You're not willing to change foods and do an elimination diet.  You're not willing to have a blood workup done.  All I see from you are excuses and justifications - all to the detriment of your poor dog.  I don't think you're trying to diagnose anything, all you want is a quick and cheap medication or shot that will mask symptoms.
 
Maybe rehoming him to someone who is willing to go the extra yard and find the root of the problem would be best for Snowball. 
 
Spiritdogs is right on in her assessment of this whole situation.
 

My husband would NOT tell me no on anything to do with my dogs, and I don't have an income.  We would simply find a way to afford what is neccessary.
 
We had a foster pup come back to us.  He had Pano, he had some broken toes on one foot, an abcessed tooth, had not had his rabies shot, nor been nuetered as required by the adoption agreement.  The rescue was not willing to pay for everything at MY vet, but rather wanted him to wait until THEIR vet came around in about 3 weeks.  And then he would have had the rabies the same day as the surgery for his tooth and nueter.  They wanted, for financial reasons, to just keep the poor guy on antibiotics for the three weeks and HOPE that the abcess didn't eat it's way through the bone into his sinus cavity.
 
We are not wealthy people.  We are not even really all that financially comfortable since I haven't been able to find a job......but WE paid for the work to have it done in a timely fashion, and we accepted responsibility for this little guy who was so poorly treated and so damaged by his "loving" home.  The ultimate placement decision was mine, I screwed up, so we bite the bullet and did what had to be done.
 
I don't elevate my dogs to a human level.  They are dogs and they have jobs to do, BUT, they are family members and as such deserve the best diet and the best medical care I can manage...whether I can truely afford it or not.  I made the commitment to these animals when I allowed them to come into my home, and I don't break my promises.
 
For ME, rehoming isn't an option because stuff gets too hard or too expensive.  But, that's me, and probably why I have six dogs.........

My husband would NOT tell me no on anything to do with my dogs, and I don't have an income. We would simply find a way to afford what is neccessary.

Well, that's another topic.  My husband earns the money, and he's the head of our household. 

Wow, long thread.  Our dog Pepper, is allergic to everything in her environment.  From weeds, grass to mites, fleas, even cats!  She came to us as a foster and she had very sparse fur, chewed her feet and butt non-stop.  She flapped her head and scratched her ears until she yelped.  We did steroids, which helped but can't continue long term.  We tried an all vegetable diet to see if that would help (remove protein source), her diarrhea was amazing.   We had the allergy tests done and found that she's allergic to too many things for us to control.  She was miserable, we were miserable, she had to sleep downstairs because her chewing, licking, scratching would wake me up at night.  We tried the allergen shots and after a year and a half on them, they didn't help.  The only thing that makes her life comfortable is Atopica.  One full month of a pill a day and now she's at 4 pills a week.  That's one packet of pills per month, at now, $105 a packet.  So at a minimum, she costs us $1224 a year.  That doesnt' include her heartworm, flea preventative and her Omega 3 fatty acid supplement.  But she's not chewing to yelping.  Her fur has actually grown in on her paws now.  Her coat is becoming more full all the time.  I am amazed at the difference in this poor dog since being on Atopica.  I'm sure, that at some point, the drug will end up being what causes her death, but in the meantime and for the last 3 years, she's not miserable.

I know you said you tried Atopica and it made her sick.  Have you tried it without any other medications?  So it's the only one?  And also did you follow the directions and only give it 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after eating?  Define "sick" for me too.  Vomitting?  Diarrhea?  etc.

I feel for poor Snowball and for you.  I know that we spent over $4000 on this poor dog in the 4 years we've had her and she was a foster to begin with, but she's an awesome dog now that she's not miserable.  She plays with toys, fetches, tugs and is even doing great at agility now.   She has the best temperment of all of our dogs.  I could take her anywhere and not have any problems that other dogs have.

Yes, Snowball took the Atopica without taking any other medications at the same time.  Yes, we followed the directions.  After about a week, he stopped having side effects from the medication, but the medication did not work from there on out. 

Update: Snowball has an appointment with the vet Monday, 9/11.  He will have blood work done, including a thyroid test. My poor dog is now back to wearing his e-collar.

I am amazed at the difference in this poor dog since being on Atopica.

 
Leslie - with the Atopica, do you find that there are still times that the itching gets bad or has it completely gone away and there's no sign of allergies?  I really wanted it to work for Sassy, but towards the end of the 30 day trial this past weekend, she started her paw licking again and hasn't stopped since.  I'm just wondering if that means it's ineffective or it's just not 100% effective all the time, which is also true of the allergy shots for some dogs.  I should hear from the vet today, but I know she's going to ask me what I want to do next, and I just don't know.
 
p.s. I'd be thrilled to find a cure for about $1200 a year.  I've spent robably 3x  that in just the last 9 months and we don't seem to be any closer yet [X(]

Doglover- I have been following this thread very closely. I'm wondering what will happen to Snowball if your family member doesn't want to take him or isn't willing to do more extensive treatment?

ORIGINAL: Dog_Lover1221

My husband would NOT tell me no on anything to do with my dogs, and I don't have an income. We would simply find a way to afford what is neccessary.

Well, that's another topic.  My husband earns the money, and he's the head of our household. 

 
My husband earns the money too, but we are partners in our marriage.

Well said, Glenda. I also do not work, BF brings in the money, but like you said we are partners and if this was happening we would do everything in our power to find the answer.

Cakana, she still licks her paws and her butt, but there's no yelping anymore.  So while it didn't "cure" her, it gives her the relief that only steroids could, without the bad side effects.  If we see her licking or chewing, we tell her to "let it go" and distract her.  But she can actually sleep through the night and lay down to rest in the living room without constantly going at her feet or butt.  So no, it didn't eliminate all itchiness, but it DEFINITELY helped!!!!   She has worse times of the year as well, just like me. [&:]

I am considering the black tea thing as well with her, but just haven't done it, for her paws.  I just don't see us being that good about always wiping her paws down, so I wonder if we should even bother...  I would like to try a different food as well, to see if she may have some food issues, but with 4 dogs and treats all over the place, it would be very difficult to pull off....  I am going to begin giving her only her food as treats though.  She is SO food motivated, it doesn't matter what I have. 

Edited: and I know how you feel!!!  That first year we had her, she was in the vet's office every month for various tests, shots, etc.  I'm pretty sure that we've spent a car down payment on her to get her to this point.

Again: Here she is, on our deck, shortly after we fostered her from the shelter in 2003.  She apparently didn't like the camera.  Her coat, which you can't tell from this pic, was very sparse and dirty, so this is after a bath.




This other one is from last summer.  What a difference in demeanor!!