Toe Licking???

[Luigi]

No, not me, my dog. :)

She battles allergies, and we are working on the food issue---figuring out what may be the problem . . . but in the meantime, what can I do about her toe licking??

Any ideas?

She is not an allergic looking dog, other than the occassional redness around her mouth, but her toes obviously itch, as she licks and chews them alot. She tends to get red around the toenail beds, and sometimes they start to puff up from the licking. She has been on antibiotics, which help, but does anyone have any ideas, (short of coning her), to treat her toes??? I have been using triple antibiotic cream, but it's an uphill battle because . . . she licks it off. : (

Ideas??? Thanks . . .

[TabDogs]

Some dogs lick their feet from boredom or it becomes a habit. You can try some bitter apple spray on her feet and see if that helps, thats really the only thing you can do short of putting an e-collar on her.

[Luigi]

Some dogs lick their feet from boredom or it becomes a habit. You can try some bitter apple spray on her feet and see if that helps, thats really the only thing you can do short of putting an e-collar on her.
Thanks---I have heard the boredom problem, but she's pretty active, so I'm guessing it's not that.

Guess I could try the bitter apple, but everything I sprayed with it when she was a pup, she wrecked anyways, lol.

She licks in between the pads mostly, but it's the toe licking that causes the problems with the nailbeds.

Thanks for your help.

[Texasbulldogs]

How long has she been doing this and what are you currently feeding?

[Luigi]

On & off for a number of months.

She is currently eating a vegetarien kibble mixed with 100% meat canned food, (beef & liver). She seems to have issues with chicken, wheat, corn, etc. I've tried changing her food, but I do give each change time to see how she reacts. If she starts itching like crazy, (ears, mouth, etc.), I know the new food isn't working. Her mouth gets really red if she's particularly allergic to a certain food, and at the moment she looks good . . . other than her darn toes.

[SouthernDixie]

Does she chew on her feet also? Just wondering because mine is doing the same thing...

[Luigi]

Does she chew on her feet also? Just wondering because mine is doing the same thing...
Yup---and they seem to itch. I suppose it could be grass or something, and not necessarily her food, but I'm wondering if anyone knows what I can put on the nailbeds to keep them from getting irritated and swollen . . .

[SouthernDixie]

Yup---and they seem to itch. I suppose it could be grass or something, and not necessarily her food, but I'm wondering if anyone knows what I can put on the nailbeds to keep them from getting irritated and swollen . . .
Well I hope it's not allergies - I'm shooting for the suggestion about boredom or bad habit! But in any case if I can figure it out, it will be taken care of.

Do you think spraying that bitter apple on his feet would be okay? I've never used it, so I don't know if it can actually be put on a dog.

[Luigi]

Well I hope it's not allergies - I'm shooting for the suggestion about boredom or bad habit! But in any case if I can figure it out, it will be taken care of.

Do you think spraying that bitter apple on his feet would be okay? I've never used it, so I don't know if it can actually be put on a dog.
I think it's fine. My vet had suggested it, too, but I never tried it because like I said, everything I sprayed with it when she was a pup, she ruined anyhow. I just assumed it was pointless, but most dogs hate the taste.

I've brought mine to the vet regarding this, but it seems to be as much trial and error with him, as it is with me. The antibiotics helped the red, puffy nailbeds, but that's about all, and I can't keep her on antibiotics forever.

[SouthernDixie]

Well... you could always put some socks on her lol

[Luigi]

Well... you could always put some socks on her lol
I thought maybe those little rubber boots. Make her feel foolish . . . :)

[SouthernDixie]

I thought maybe those little rubber boots. Make her feel foolish . . . :)
Hey us girls love our shoes! I've got to keep a pair of those seasonal panties on my female right now... but she thinks she is cute strutting around in her daisy dukes lol

[GD2]

Get Some Dog Shampoo That Has Oat Meal In It Or Give A Oat Meal Bath. Also I Don't Know If You Have Tried Benadryl? Gremlin Has Allergies And His Feet Get Red And He Licks Them So I Use Benadryl.

[mydawgs]

Sorry girls and guys I thought I was gonna have a question on this topic, but it's my husbands feet my dog licks for as long as he will let her, in between the toes and all....eeeeuuuuuuu...oh well

[Texasbulldogs]

What makes you think it’s a food allergy you’re dealing with? Judging from the symptoms it's a atopy allergy and not contact. Have you and your veterinary eliminated flea, mites, yeast, fungal, bacterial infections from the equation? Take the dog to your veterinary and request he/she run a radioallergosorbent, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, or Intradermal skin test! Prior to doing said test he should place her on steroids and/or antihistamines for about a month prior and also recommend a hypoallergenic homemade diet for her to be on. <O:p</O:p

[Mrsdano]

How do u stop a dog from chewing her nails, lol, It's SO annouying, lol, I love my dog to death but argh, lol, then when she's done with her's she will go and chew on our males to nails lol, maybe she gets it from me I am a nail chewer too,lol, (slaps own hands)

[Luigi]

What makes you think it’s a food allergy you’re dealing with? Judging from the symptoms it's a atopy allergy and not contact. Have you and your veterinary eliminated flea, mites, yeast, fungal, bacterial infections from the equation? Take the dog to your veterinary and request he/she run a radioallergosorbent, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, or Intradermal skin test! Prior to doing said test he should place her on steroids and/or antihistamines for about a month prior and also recommend a hypoallergenic homemade diet for her to be on. <o ="">:p</o>:p
The vet suggested food allergy, but that's why I mentioned maybe grass? I was thinking more along the topical line, too. No mites. Of course if she keeps licking and between her toes stay moist, it does result in a yeast infection. The vet has prescribed a yeast cream which has worked, but again, is only temporary. As far as bacterial, again, if she keeps licking, her toenail beds get inflamed, and that is obviously a bacterial infection for which the vet has prescribed antibiotics, which help---temporarily.

I think I will try the Benadryl. I have used it for other pets, but I was hoping to catch the underlying problem. I'll also check with the vet again, but I've been back & forth for this problem many times, and he seems at a loss, too.

Thanks for that test you suggested. I will definitely look into that . . .

[Luigi]

Sorry girls and guys I thought I was gonna have a question on this topic, but it's my husbands feet my dog licks for as long as he will let her, in between the toes and all....eeeeuuuuuuu...oh well
hmmmm. . . I'm thinkin' that's a different thread---or maybe even a different forum, lol . . .

[Luigi]

Get Some Dog Shampoo That Has Oat Meal In It Or Give A Oat Meal Bath. Also I Don't Know If You Have Tried Benadryl? Gremlin Has Allergies And His Feet Get Red And He Licks Them So I Use Benadryl.
This sounds like a good plan, also. Thanks much. :)

[Texasbulldogs]

Thanks for that test you suggested. I will definitely look into that .
Request/demand for the test to be run! You don’t treat said symptoms by guessing or just constantly changing foods!

[GD2]

Or Maybe Go To A Different Vet If You Are Not Geting The Answers And The Problem Fixed.

[Luigi]

Thanks for that test you suggested. I will definitely look into that .
Request/demand for the test to be run! You don’t treat said symptoms by guessing or just constantly changing foods!
Texasbulldogs---We'll have to start a 12 step toe recovery program. :)

[Marinepits]

Hey, Luigi

Mac gets the same thing and we use either Gentocin spray or CortiSpray -- according to Mac, both taste icky and he won't lick his feet after they are sprayed. We got them from the vet's office. Mac's nail beds look 100% better than before. No more red, no more bumps in between his toes.

The doc seems to think it's a contact dermatitis, but in December we're getting the tests that Tex rec'd just to be sure.....

[laurajean]

Hmmm...I had a pit bull that used to lick her toes esp around the nails. The vet told me that she had a fungus infection in her nailbeds..For about 3 months I soaked her toes 3 times a day with a betadine solution. She hated that and it didn't clear up the fungus infection and the fungus infection spread to another toe. I finally had the vet amputate the infected toes. That was the vet's suggestion. Has your vet like investigated the possibility of a fungus infection? (atheletes' foot in pit bulls...oh my!) Sometimes I wonder about these vets. This dog Sparky, (the best dog I ever had!) didn't have any allergy issues however. I wouldn't use an e-collar or bitter apple until I got the vet's approval however. Have you tried a vet dermatologist?
Good luck, I know you hate to see her suffer like that!

[Suki]

Did your vet ever recommend a cream called "Whitfield's Ointment"? It's prescribed, and is a benzole and salicylic ointment, most frequently used to treat fungus type ailments. My dog's nail beds would get so red, they'd actually bleed. I brought her to work with me, and my boss, (a vet) looked at her, gave me a tube of this cream, and it worked great. Thing is, you gutta put it on, then cover her feet, yes, to prevent her from licking it off. I used socks, with elastics put around them.
Thing with fodd allergies is, it takes a while to see what particular food is actually the culprit, and with allergies, BANG!!!: they can just come out of no where. One day he's eating chicken, and the next day her can't tolerate it. You can use otc stuff, but it treats only the syptoms, not the original problem.
Here's some info on allergies.

Allergic Dermatitis (http://www.lbah.com/allergy.htm)

Allergies are one of the most common causes of skin conditions. They are encountered in pets, especially dogs, as often as we see them in humanoids. The main difference between us and pets is that allergies in pets tend to cause skin conditions. It goes by several names, the most common are atopy, allergic skin disease, or allergic inhalant dermatitis.

Allergies can be hard to control and are chronic in nature. This causes significant frustration for pet owners and discomfort for pets. A correct diagnosis along with proper therapy instituted early in the course of the disease will minimize this frustration.

<CENTER><HR width="75%" noShade SIZE=1></CENTER>

Types



1. Food Allergy

They are caused by an allergic reaction to ingredients or preservatives in food. Some of the more common food allergens are:

<CENTER><TABLE border=1><TBODY><TR><TD width=305><CENTER>horse meat</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>eggs </CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD width=305><CENTER>beef</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>fish</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD width=305><CENTER>pork</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>corn</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD width=305><CENTER>lamb</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>soy</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD width=305><CENTER>poultry products</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>preservatives and dyes</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD width=305><CENTER>dairy products</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>rawhide chews and dog biscuits/treats</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>In dogs, beef, dairy products, and wheat tend to cause most of the problems, with chicken, lamb, and soy following. In cats, beef, dairy products, and fish account for most of the food allergies. Premium dogs foods can contain these products, so just because you are feeing a higher quality or more expensive food doesn't mean that food will not cause a food allergy.

Dog owners commonly go to pet stores to get food to stop their pet from scratching. Pet store employees will recommend a specific food to stop the itching because they are under the assumption that this is the main type of allergy that causes skin conditions in pets. Unfortunately, by a large margin, food allergies are the least common of the allergic skin problems we diagnose.

It is estimated by some veterinary dermatologists that food allergies account for only 10% of all the allergies that cause allergic dermatitis. In those pets that truly have food allergy, a high percentage also have atopy at the same time. Cats might have more food allergies than dogs.Several canine breeds are prone to getting atopy. They include, but are not limited to:

<CENTER><TABLE width="89%" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD><CENTER>Terriers</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Beagle</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD><CENTER>Retrievers</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Setters</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD><CENTER>Lhasa apso</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Miniature schnauzer</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD><CENTER>Shih Tzu</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Pug</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD><CENTER>Cocker spaniel</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Boxer</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD><CENTER>Dalmatian</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Shar Pei</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><HR width="75%" noShade SIZE=1> </CENTER>2. History

Atopy tends to be a progressive disease with worse symptoms each allergy season. Many dogs will be more affected during a specific season. As time goes on dogs can have allergies year round. It is not a contagious disease, so other dogs, cats, and people in the same household do not usually have symptoms (unless of course it is another dog that is highly prone to allergies).

The progeny of atopic dogs are more prone to developing atopy than other dogs. Careful breeding therefore can help minimize the occurrence of this problem.

Pets that have been treated with cortisone in the past, and did not improve, give us a clue that something else besides an allergic disease is involved.

Food allergies in dogs and cats can start at any time in a pet's life, even those on the same diet for a long period of time. Non-seasonal allergies bring food allergies to mind, along with vomiting or diarrhea, although these are not consistent findings. The skin lesions in food allergy are indistinguishable from atopy, but have a propensity to show only inflammation of the ears. Feeding dog and cat foods that contain ingredients that pets are routinely allergic to might also clue us in to a food allergy. This includes the premium foods and those that contain lamb.

Flea allergies are suspected whenever we are presented with a pet that has a skin condition and is not on routine flea control. This is true even for pets that never go outside. Other pets in the household that are itching might also indicate fleas in the environment. Flea allergies routinely cause hair loss at the lower back area (called the dorsal-lumbar area), which is not typical of atopy and food allergy.

3. Physical Exam

The physical exam of a dog with a skin condition is the same as any other sick pet. We examine the whole body for clues as to the cause of the skin condition. The distribution of the skin lesions gives us a clue as to the cause, but is not consistent in all skin conditions.

[Big Papa]

maybe it itches i dont really know but maybe they just want to clean it

[savage]

i currently have a bitch here that licks her feet until they are raw... she was allowed to roam front yard ect ,until she started to get into fights so on chain she went,,then this toe licking started i have tried everything with no out come of why she does it..but yet when i let her come back inside for say a week she don';t do it .so i put it down to nerves and seperation with this bitch

[DryCreek]

i currently have a bitch here that licks her feet until they are raw... she was allowed to roam front yard ect ,until she started to get into fights so on chain she went,,then this toe licking started i have tried everything with no out come of why she does it..but yet when i let her come back inside for say a week she don';t do it .so i put it down to nerves and seperation with this bitch
Some dogs WILL lick their toes and chew their feet due to Stress. Maybe its time to start consulting doggie psychologists...LOL

[scratchin dog]

Sometimes when a dog licks its feet it can be from an allergy but more than likely its from stress and boredom. Eventually it just becomes an ingrained habit and then infection starts. How much exercise does your dog get? Pitbulls need a lot of hard exercise to release that pent up energy. When humans have stress there are things that we can do to release tension, go to the gym, talk it out with friends, etc. Animals do not have these options. They cant escape their stressful environment or release tension by tearing at the couch cause it would mean being punished. So they turn that frustration inward to tear at themselves. Scratching, chewing and licking are the end result. Two or three short daily walks and throwing a ball a few times isnt enough for most dogs. By all means have your vet do the tests recommended by Texas Bulldogs. A combination of medication and a major increase in exercise should help a lot. There is a lot of good information on this site about how to exercise your dog. Check it out.

[Miles]

My dog must be really tense, aparently he has completely skipped licking his toes and licks mine while I sleep.

[chinasmom]

When they lick a spot until it is raw, it's called a lick granuloma. It has to be treated or infection can set in. I get Synotic/Banamine from the vet. Work's great!!!

[mydawgs]

My dog must be really tense, aparently he has completely skipped licking his toes and licks mine while I sleep.
Ha we have one of those too...obsessive compulsive is my diagnosis...she jus CRAZY!!!!!

[ABK]

I once had a bitch who had the same problem (licking her own feet. lol.). Turns out it was a contact allergy to our new carpet. We gave her 1 Benadryl capsule before bedtime (after all, Benadryl is an antihistamine). That did help, but in the end we eventually had to place her w/ another family who had hardwood floors. :(

[chinasmom]

They can be caused from all types of allergy's, outside and inside. Or from stress or boredom.

[missybee16]

Yeah, Benadryl works. I use it on my 5. Vet says, it's okay to use.

[Chopper4me]

Have you tried putting the meds on then immedieatly taking her for a walk? It will allow her to forget about the meds and give them a chance to do there job before she licks them off!