Chewing and Licking Paws, red in between pads, and just started limping

[alenz21]

So there is a lot of good information in here, and I've learned a lot just by doing a search. 9 out of 10 times people say its a food or environmental allergy that's the problem. This may be the case, he's been sneezing like crazy lately. So if this is the case, benedryl should help right?

He's on a raw diet, mostly chicken, turkey, and lamb. He's been on the same diet for over a year, and was on it before the chewing started, so for now I may rule this out.

I have a couple questions that I didn't see after doing a lot of reading in the forums.

1) What can I do in the meantime to help them heal? I saw gold bond powder. Any other suggestions? They are pretty raw, and his right front paw just started hurting him, giving him a slight limp.

2) What are the chances it is due to the floor cleaner I use? Feeding raw in my kitchen, I need to make sure I clean up when he drops raw meat on the floor. I typically use either 409, or one of those lysol wipes. I am careful not to let him in there while it dries, but afterwards I haven't been too concerned. Could this be hurting his paws even after it dries? What are alternatives to clean up and make sure my kitchen isn't a bacteria trap?

Thanks from me and Liam for any suggestions.

 

[Pearlywhirly]

It's most likely a secondary infection has set in and a round of antibiotics are in order. If the floor cleaner has dried before he steps on it I think it would be ok.

 

[kactus]

bailey gets this too. do the hairs look almost brown red too?
ive tried a variety of things and find the best to sort it are...
keeping his feet as dry as possible (not easy)
washing in between his toes & pads every other day with HIBISCRUB (from vet) wash. i apply a mild steriodal cream FUCIDERM- from vet) when its really bad, but normally keeping them clean and dry is enough to keep on top of it. try not to let him lick them as the warm dampness really makes it worse. he has had antibiotics a few times when its been really bad but i found the cream cleared it just as quickly and with less side effects.

 

[Hobart Ave.]

Redness/soreness between the toe pads are one of the many symptoms that Hobart has exhibited since his allergies (environmental) first appeared last month. I bought some 100% aloe vera gel and rub that in between his pads at night time. I then put socks on his feet and tighten them around his ankles with a strip of velcro (the kind that has sticky adhesive on the back). He never once tried to get the socks off so maybe I'm lucky there. I only did this before bed because that was when his feet licking was the worst. I did this for about a week and his feet improved so much that I haven't done it at all for the last three days and his feet are still looking good. Anything's worth a try

 

[sweetboxer]

Skye has this very badly right now so I need to get some medicine from the vet. My cocker spaniel got it all the time and he was put on Hydroxyzine HCL and that has helped tremendously. So I need to ask if Skye can have that, too. Poor little girl...her feet are really bothering her. Benadryl isn't helping much, and we've been on that for about a week or so now.

 

[mmsimon]

Liza had this bad too (I think it was a food allergy though). If there is a secondary infection you really will likely need antibiotics. We tried a lot of products out there but here is what worked best for us:
Wash the feet every 2 days or so in nizoral shampoo (it's antifungal...we found fungus to be the biggest problem. You have to let them soak in it too. I used 4 small tupperware containers and had her stand them, one for each foot, for 3 minutes) and in between mix up some tea tree oil and witch hazel (I mix it good in a container and then stuff 4 cotton balls in to soak up the fluid. For a while, I had to do this everyday. You have to stuff them in there right after mixing or it separates). Then dab the cotton ball between the toes, top and bottom and voila, let them dry. I use the ratio 4:1 (witch hazel:tea tree oil). This is crucial because tea tree oil in high doses is dangerous, especially to dogs. The tea tree oil is a potent antifungal and antibacterial. The witch hazel will soothe the itch.

We were cautioned again using the medicated powder. But that is just our experience. I hope you can find a solution for your poor baby.