licking foot after going to the groomers?!?!?!?

[Kristine and Charlie]

Charlie got groomed for the first time a week ago and a couple of days after I noticed he was licking his foot.  After examining his foot it looked like he was only licking one toe (it's the top of the nail near skin).  It was pink and maybe a little swollen compared to his other toes.  So now it's been 6 days of him licking it off and on and I'm wondering what's going on.  When I find him licking it, he is really going to town on it but he doesn't do it all the time.  I can't see anything wrong with it but maybe I need a bright light and magnifying glass?  Any ideas of what it might be or if it could have happened at the groomers????? 

[Taylor & Huff]

hmmmm..... maybe your groomer nicked him or got him with the nail clippers or file. Maybe it got infected after that. Maybe that is why it is swollen. Maybe he got bit by something.... I hope he feels better.:)

[Kristine and Charlie]

That's what I'm thinking (nicked by scissors or something) but I wonder why it didn't bother him for 2 days.  I'm trying to decide if he needs to see the vet or if I can just put some antibiotic ointment (by the way, don't know what to use on dogs) on it and see how it looks in a couple of days.  I did spray a little bitter apple on the hair around it so that he would stop licking it because it seems a tiny bit bare (or maybe it's the wetness of his paw).

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think since it has been six days, I would take him to the vet. Good luck and hope Charlie feels better.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with taking him to the Vet.  This happened to Murph once too after grooming, but he only licked the paw for a day and was then back to normal.

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

this has happened to Lola a couple of times, but did go away after a couple of days. Since you can't find anything, I wonder if something is maybe loged in his paw somewhere. Have you checked between his toes? Lola once got a pine needle stuck in there and it was poking her until I finally found it. If not, I would agree with other ppl, I'd make an appt with the vet. Good luck!

[BG and Gavin]

I would try soaking the foot in epsom salts and warm water three times a day and see if that helps.

[Ali & Sonny D.]

That happened to Sonny over the winter. I think he was nicked while being groomed and wound up with an infection. Not sure if from the grooming or licking so much. I had to get an antibiotic cream for him from the vet. I didn't notice the red spot until a few days after he was groomed, wsn't bothering him or I just didn't notice it bothering him right away either.