Gracie's red paws, itchy face, and ears

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Just a little background - about 5 months or so ago I noticed Gracie's paws were irritated.

Karen suggested environmental allergies and gave me a list of options to try.

I figured by now the allergies would subside, but they haven't. We have had a very mild winter as well. Some freezes, but not like normal. The pollen levels are like 1 or less - so not sure how that would figure in. There have been some lulls in the intensity of how flared her feet are or it goes from the front paws looking worse than the back and vice versa. I even thought at one point we had it all figured out!

Wiping her paws, rinsing them, weekly baths. Vacuuming everyday. I spray her paws as well. They get soaked twice a day, dried, and sprayed, front and underneath. The bottom of her back paws look really red and the hair is a dark brown color. I rarely see her licking them or biting them, but ask her to stop if I do. I think she does more when she is crated - which is mainly at night or if we are out for the day, but not more than 5 hours.

She gets plain yogurt, flaxseed oil, evening primrose, and I just added a probiotic - Vetri mega, that she has been on for a week now.
I've had her on limited ingredient foods and that didn't seem to make a difference so now she is on holistic select chicken with the intention to rotate between the brand, but now I don't know what I need to do for her.

Her hair is super soft, the hair on her paws is growing, but the back paws are still red. She scratches at her face at least 4 times throughout the days. I mentioned her ears because she does get gunk in them if I don't keep her clean with the zymox, but for the most part they look good, just pink inside. Maybe more so than my other dog and the new puppy. I haven't seen any other place on her body with any redness.
Oh and one other thing - maybe it has nothing to do with any of this but thought I'd mention it anyway - her vulva hairs are dark colored and seem to mat or have little clumps? I wash her there and the last time at the groomers some how they missed this area altogether, so I trimmed her myself and noticed a sore there which I cleaned and sprayed with the Antifungal spray. It seemed to clear up the sore, but her hairs are still dark and somewhat crusty (for lack of a better word).

So, that's where I'm at. I probably have forgotten to mention something and will clarify if needed.

My question now is what to talk to the vet about. My vet is pretty laid back and I'm sure the first response will be to give her a steroid.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm pretty sure that this has nothing to do with food, but how long did you keep her on the LID diet? It typically takes 8-12 weeks to see a difference if the issues are related to food.

I'd definitely have the vet look at the vulva, the sore and the crusting are not normal. That may or may not be related to the other issues. 

I'd also think about trying an antihistamine, and not Benadryl. 

Environmental allergy symptoms are not only caused by pollen. Dust mites and storage mites, which are present in every home, are one of the most common allergens. Water molds, which are also present indoors and out year round, are also common allergens. 

However, what you're describing sounds more like a condition called Malassezia dermatitis, which is a condition in which there is an overgrowth of yeast. Poodles are one of the breeds commonly affected. It's not treated with steroids, it's treated with topicals, medicated shampoos, and oral antifungal meds. Here's are a couple of articles about Malassezia, which include diagnostic and treatment options:

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/ani...

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/yeast_infection_of_the_skin.html

http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/update-treatment-malassezia-de...

I would talk to your vet about this, and also ask if a referral to a veterinary dermatologist might be a good idea. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Hi Karen,
I did forget to mention that we had her on the antihistamine. We tried different ones, the last one was Claritin. But, then I took her off because it didn't seem to be doing any good.
I could put her back on one again, see if it clears up her paws. But, like I said, it didn't seem to help.
We had her on the LID for 12 weeks. The only thing I noticed was that her poo seemed harder and not in a good way. Almost too hard for her to poo comfortably.
I was also thinking yeast. I did find that there is a dermatologist vet about an hour from us (I found the link in one of your other threads).
I will read through the links provided. Thanks! I'm going to get her scheduled at her regular vet as well, just wanted to go in with info and let them know what we've tried.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Let me ask this, do any foods contribute to her being yeasty?

From just briefly glancing at the first link - her skin and hair isn't excessively oily. Her feet smell and her ears do, but mild. I have a friend that I keep telling him to take his dog to the vet, and he smells atrocious (the dog, not the friend lol) and his fur is greasy.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are widespread beliefs and myths that food contributes to yeast overgrowth on the skin, but that's all they are, myths, with no basis in physiology. 

She may not have Malassezia, or she may have a very mild case; very few dogs (or people) are going to have every symptom of a disease or condition, and symptoms increase as time goes by. But I do think it would be worth discussing with the vet or a specialist and having a skin scraping done. You really do need to know what you are treating before you can successfully treat it. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I am using malaseb (Antifungal shampoo) which is one of the products mentioned on the second link. How long before we might see a change? I just got it and she's only had one bath with it. Before that I had purchased synergy labs (same kind of stuff just different active ingredients).

I'm going to call shortly and make her an appointment. Just being lazy this morning and am still in my jammies. ;) Not that I can't call in jammies, but sometimes they can get her in the same day - so want to be ready just in case.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I haven't dealt with yeast issues personally, so I'm not sure how long it takes to see an improvement. One thing I do know is that you must not use any other types of grooming products, especially leave-in conditioners and sprays. Hopefully your groomer know this. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I told them not to, but who knows. She didn't smell as perfumey as she normally does the last two times I took her. I will keep reminding them. I also need to ask why they didn't take care of her vulva are the last time.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Lyndy, I provided the products for the groomer to use on our dog with skin issues.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Good idea, Nancy! Thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I bring my own shampoo to the groomer as well.