My 9 year old mixed breed dog has a hot spot on his rear paw. My 1 1/2 yr old sheltie has been suffering with paw allergies since May. He has been taking prednisone and benedryl on alternating days for a long time. Now the vet thinks it may be food allergies.He started eating special food-venison and potato last week, with no treats. He is now taking vetalog, rather than predisone. I want to see him off all meds and get some relief from the allergies. Any recommendations?
Thank You
Hello, I am a veterinary technician and I work at an Emergency Critical Care practice. According to your letter it seems they have tried medication but it doesn’t seem to be working effectively. The only thing effected on your dog is its feet? I would think that an allergen that your dog is coming into contact with would be the most likely suspect. Have you tried washing your dogs feet after he/she is outside. I know it might seem a bit silly but it has worked with my friend’s dog that had severe allergies to grass. The other question I have has your veterinary clinic dpme a skin scraping/biopsy to see what might be going on in the skin. Dog’s can get a form of mange that only effects the feet. Just a few suggestions. Good luck.
Andrea
The majority of these RX’s for animals that suffer from these conditions, only mask the symptoms and weaken the immune system.
Therefore, they have little effect. If your dog has been on these on long time, you have to consider that their now is a weak immune system as well as having a congested liver. I applaud you for wanting to do an alternate modality. My suggestion would be to start building up the immune system as well as supporting the liver. Standard process makes whole food supplements that can help do this. They make a canine immune support and a hepatic support that work very well.
Please keep in mind, that you have to consider the time your dog has had this problem , that it may take this long to bring him back to full health. I would also suggest a fresh organic diet with out grain. Great Life makes a food that is great for this condition as well.
Thank you,
Dyanna McCain, DIHom DVetHom
Holistic Animal Healing
Los Angeles, CA
Recommend seeing a veterinary internist for an enteric (intestinal
evaluation) with the possible need for endoscopic evaluation. Very few patients require lifelong medication once a definitive diagnosis is achieved.
T. L. Medinger, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Specialty of Internal Medicine (SA)
VCA Aurora Animal Hospital
Aurora, IL
The very first thing that should be done is CYTOLOGY to see what, if any, infection is present on the dogs feet. Has a wood’s light exam, scrape for demodecosis, and a fungal culture been done? Only after infection from bacteria (especially Staphylococcus), yeast (Malassezia), and a fungal or parasitic infection have been ruled out should a veterinarian begin a trial with steroids. If that proves successful, a properly conducted dietary trail with an elimination diet for up to twelve weeks be conducted. If that fails to relieve the itching, intradermal skin testing or a blood test for IgE are the next step, followed by hyposensitization if significant allergens are found.
Mike Keem, DVM
Member, AAVD
Aurora Pet Hospital
East Aurora, NY
I have a 10 year old sheltie that has been having front paw problems for some time now. She keeps getting these growths between her toes that actually splay the toe out. We did at one point have it removed and checked but they seem to keep coming back. Last month it came back again and we had her on antibiotics but once again it has re-appeared. She will favor the paw on walks and constantly stop to lick the paw. Any ideas or suggestions ?
Jim
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