why chew your paw?

[trango's mom]

I came home from work today and noticed Trango chewing her back left paw. She must have bitten it hard because she was holding it off the ground when she walks. I looked it over very well and do not see a swollen or red place, mark or scratch. Is it possible that it has been hurt or that it bothers her and she is chewing it as a result or is this something that boxers/dogs in general do on occasion?

If anyone has a boxer that has done this or knows why she may be, please let me know. We have a vet appt. for boosters on Wed. but if neccessary I could go in tomorrow.

Thanks for any info.
Ashlee mom to Trango- flashy brindle female (10/30/00)

 

[DoomRat]

My female Buffy does this all the time. Has been doing it ever since we have had her. She's never limped as a result but it's possible your boxer just played with her paw a little too hard when she was getting rowdy. Perhaps while she was playing and was standing while doing this and toppled, possibly spraining her paw or something. it's definately possible.

 

[Brutus and Amaya's Mom]

Brutus chews on his paws as well. At times his paws get very red and irritated. The vet said this was due to allergies. Brutus has allergy medication that we give him when he has been chewing and I also bought some cortizone spray to use as well.

 

[MsMack]

Lucy used to do this and my vet said it was allergies as well. We had medication that we put in water and let her take a 'footbath'.

 

[Jan]

Just moving this to the Health Forum.

 

[Gingeranne]

Pumpkin chews on her feet all the time. Vet said anxiety, then allergies, changed her food, tried a medicated powder, then said she had a yeast infection that she keeps passing back and forth between her ears and her feet. Now she's on stuff for her ears, spray for her feet, a sometimes an Elizabethan collar. On another forum there was talk of putting on socks. That may be next. Thanks for posting this topic. Sorry I couldn't help more.

 

[Aimee]

Lexi too had this same disorder for 2 years..drove us crazy...she was constantly biting at her feet. Just like Gingeranne our vet tried everything. Axiety, allergies, food switch to the expensive prescription diet eventually. After seeing an allergist and a dermatologist, Lexi was placed on 40 days of Nizoral to treat a fungal infection in her nail beds and an over growth of yeast on her body. She is now done with the medication, has been successfully switched back to Nutro Natural chicken and rice and is no longer scratching, chewing or scooting RELIEF for her at long last. And the allergist didn't recommend any allergy testing..he said she didn't look in need of it. She may be itchy but she had no hot spots etc and he stated he would guarantee that she would test positive to probably 2 allergens, who isn't allergic to something?? But did this require a diet change and life time allergy shots, he really didn't think so and he was right. She is doing great. We have now supplemented her with Vitamin E for the dryness and now that the yeast is gone, she is itch free

 

[Gingeranne]

Aimee, Did Lexi have a dark discoloration on her nails? Punk does, and we thought it was bruising from all the chewing. I'm going to talk to my vet about the Nizoral.
Thanks.

 

[Jazzmin'mom]

Hi all,

I just returned home from the vet for almost the same prob. For the last week & half some of her nail beds have been bleeding. This only happens after she has been running around and does not bother her at any other time. The skin and nails that bleed are discoloured. The vet wants to start doing all these tests - he gave me an estimate sheet sort of like what you get when you take your car in. I really feel like I am being taken. The most expensive thing is biopsy at about $300.00. We could also just do a fungal test for around $45. to start. I had originally thought that she had damaged her toes while playing and just keeps irritating but the vet says that it is very unlikely because it is on different feet. What tests did your vet do? He has put her on Omega fatty acids to start. Don't get me wrong, I will do what it takes to make her better but I just got over a $500.00 vet bill last month for her ears which were finally cured with a $5 Elizabethan collar.

Sometimes I feel like I am being fleeced by the vets.

Liz

 

[Aimee]

THIS IS EXACTLY IT...her nails are brown at the beds..I never thought much of it either. This is a nailbed fungus. Don't waste the money on extensive testing and biopsies. Do the fungal exam and get the Nizoral (a 40 day supply for one pill a day for my 55 pounder was $80 so the medication is not cheap). But she also had an overgrowth of yeast so I don't know your dosing may be different?? Check into it..in the long run it saves you..we spent numerous amounts of $$$ on allergy pills, prescription diets, trips to the vet were numerous with different things tried. I am glad to be done with that episode and she is a happier dog for it. A lesson learned for us. Best of luck and let me know how it turns out!