Itchy dog…paw soak?

[EAO76]

I have an 8.5yr old spayed female foster. When she came to me three weeks ago her skin was a mess. She was very itchy all over, missing patches of fur on her back, etc. She has since been treated for fleas, with antibiotics for a secondary skin infections and she is now being treated for low thyroid. I also have her on a grain free food. She looks better. The missing hair on her back is starting to grow in and she is less itchy. She still chews her feet though. They actually don’t look too bad. But when I look between her toes there is rawness/ redness. And she will sit on her dog bed and lick and chew until there are puddles beneath her. Is there something readily available that I can soak her feet in that will help?

My goal is to get her ready for adoption. If she were my dog I would do a million and one things to make her feel better but I need to do my best to keep things as uncomplicated as possible because it needs to be a routine that a new owner will be able to easily continue.

Also the vet prescribed Atarax (allergy med) but only gave me enough for a couple of weeks. It ran out when her antibiotic ran out. Should I pick up some zyrtec or some other over the counter antihistamine for her to take daily? From what I read these types of meds don’t usually help with itchy paws. Anyone have an opinion on that?

 

[johann]

Someone on here mentioned feeding coconut oil to help with itchy paws/yeasty feet. Said it was a miracle for their dogs, you can get it at regular grocery stores or health food stores.

When Johann went thru his feet issues, we were soaking with cholahexadine three times a day, antifungal cream twice a day (boots on to keep him from licking it off), oral steroids, and oral antibiotics. Big time PIA, and not all that helpful in clearing up the infection.

I'd say the only thing that really helped was cleaning his feet and drying (very important) once a day. He wasn't a fan of soaking, so I took a wet washcloth and regular dog shampoo and washed between his toes and his entire paw area. Then rinse and dry thoroughly. This routine was easy to remember and follow. Another big thing is to keep her from licking them, because if she keeps doing that, they will not heal. Maybe some socks or boots until she is all healed up.

 

[karens]

My holisitic vet recommended soaking my dogs paws in a betadine solution. You can get a bottle of betadine at Walgreens or CVS. I'd just fill up some el cheapo zip lock containers and have him stand in them in the tub. He's a good boy, he'll do anything.

It was a few years ago and I don't recall how much it helped. I eventually wound up going to a dermatologist and getting medicated wipes and Otomax.

 

[Cami]

I used Domboro ( Bayer Consumer Care Products - Domeboro ) on Cami's staph infection and it would clear it up in about a day and a half. Of course it didn't correct the original problem but it would give her some relief in the interim and we could keep her off antibiotics.
Last year I had my first encounter with poison ivy and was miserable. I used it on me and WOW. Immediate relief from the massive itching/pain.
It comes in a packet and you mix with water to get a paste-like consistency. It dries and is crusty white but if I ever get poison anything I will be using it from day one.
It wouldn't hurt to try! Just a thought.

 

[RockyCody]

I had a foster like this too - and you feel SO bad for them because you just want them to be comfortable, etc.

How long has she been on the new food?

I talked to the vet several times about this with my puppy that I had - and ended up putting booties on the dog so she wouldn't lick her paws raw. Once we had the food change for 3 weeks or so and only gave her limited ingredient food she stopped licking her feet. I don't know if soaking will help - I did ask my vet but they had no suggestions at the time.

If you ever notice- maybe she has it - but I guess some of the discoloring/redness between the toes/pads can be from saliva stains after chronic licking/chewing.

I hope this senior girl feels better soon!

 

[Lizzie]

I know this may sound strange, but there may also be an element of obsessive behavour. I know with Diva that this can be the case - just seems to get into the habit of doing it and almost doesn't realise she is doing it and needs to be distracted into doing something else. Just thought

 

[nalabear]

Someone on here mentioned feeding coconut oil to help with itchy paws/yeasty feet. Said it was a miracle for their dogs, you can get it at regular grocery stores or health food stores..

If you use coconut oil make sure its "unrefined organic" The other is not good to consume.

Another option is adding Organic Apple Cider Vinigar with the mother in it into her water everyday. This also helps with itching from allergies.

You should be able to get both of these from your grocery store.

I hope she continues to get better poor baby. We had a friend who's pup had a yeast infection and by the time they healed him, his licking his paws had become a habit so they then had to break that one. He is much happier today