Question about paw itching and licking
Submitted by cohenmh on April 13, 2015 - 9:51amHi everyone - I hope you are having a great Monday morning. So, I have a question for you all about paw itching and licking. Bosco licks his paws becuase they itch. He gets yeast infections and his dermatologist puts him on medrol to control it, while the anti-fungals and anti-biotics kick in. So, for some reason, the medrol is making him have accidents this time around. I know thirst and lots of peeing are a side effect of the medrol but it has never hit him like this before. Poor little guy.
So, my question for you this morning...any ideas for how to control the itching (and corresponding licking) that doesn't use the medrol? We can keep him on it, perhaps at a lower dose, I'm waiting for the dermatologist to call me back, but I am just wondering if there is something that you all use. Thanks a bunch!
Do you have any ideas as to what...
he is allergic to? Is it environmental or food? Do you use a high quality grain free food? Our guys are itchy right now because the bermuda grass is germinating.
He is a yeasty puppy.
He doesn't seem to have any allergies, per se, just a lot of yeast, at least that's what his dermatologist says. We control the yeast topically with weekly baths and wipes and we focus under his tail and on his paws because that's where the yeast grows. The vet says yeast tastes delicious to dogs so Bosco licks, and licks some more, which makes them itchy, so he keeps licking...
He eats Fromm pork and peas, which is grain free and has no chicken/turkey in it. Other foods gave him an upset stomach but this one seems to work. Poor Bosco.
A long shot but you could try....
Putting some Apple Cider Vinegar in his drinking water to control the yeast issue. It may help...
I would guess he is having an allergic response to something he is eating, even on grain free my girl licks her legs and gets yeasty ears, I have to be very diligent in watchcing her so I can catch it before it turns into an infection.
Amy and Sophia
Apple cider vinegar - worth a try, thanks for the idea!
Bosco weighs in at around 55lbs - how much apple cider vinegar should I put in his water bowl? Like a tablespoon?
I have wondered about his food and we are going back to straight dog food and bagged treats. No more tasty dinner treats (Bosco loves it when my husband gives him little pieces of pork chop!)
I just feel awful for him, poor Bosco.
I would not even do treats for a while...
Just see if you can narrow down to what he is allergic to. It could be a preservative in the treats! One never knows with these guys! And no people food is a good idea as well, at least until you know what bothers him:-)
I would add a couple of tablespoons to a normal size water bowl...it may take him a little time to want to drink it, but he will drink it eventually!
Amy and Sophia
A couple of tablespoons - it's worth a shot!
Can't hurt, might help, right?
Poor Bosco - no treats, no pork chop, and water that tastes a bit funny - too bad he won't understand me when I tell him "We are trying to make your paws feel better" :-)