Licking paws...fur turning reddish.

[TYoung]

So my Labradoodle has been licking her paws A LOT for a few weeks now.  I didn't realize it until I noticed that the fur on her paws starting with the fur between her paw pads was turning reddish (she's apricot).  What are some the reasons she may be licking her paws this much?  allergies? if so, which types?  Do I need to take her to vet asap, or try to figure this out?

She eats Orijen adult dry food...snacks and toppers are carrots, berries, cheese, grass fed plain yogurt, plain grass fed beef, apple, peanut butter.  Fruitables and Fromm crunchy treats.

Thanks in advance for your help and guidance.

[TYoung]

Great information...thanks!!!

Ive been meaning to get pet insurance but really dint know which company to choose.  Do you happen to know if there is a good discussion on DoodleKisses about that?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are tons of discussions about pet insurance and choosing a company here on DK, lol. One of the most discussed topics. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Here's a pretty recent discussion on pet insurance.  If there is already a reference to possible allergies in your vet records that would likely become a "pre-existing condition" and excluded from coverage. http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/pet-insurance-18

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

$300 is very very cheap for the testing. Jack's ran $700, and that was back in 2008. However, it did include the first set of antigens. 

As Sheri said, the staff at the specialist's office will instruct you on giving the shots yourself. I never thought i could do it, but it's pretty easy, and Jack didn't seem to even feel it. The antigens have to be kept refrigerated, and ours cost about $200. We reorder 2-3 times a year. The vet will ship them to you if you can't go pick them up yourself. Our town provides sharps containers free of charge and when it's full, you simply drop it off and get a new one. 

Once your dog is on a maintenance dose, you only have to see the specialist once a year for a check. That runs me about $85. Of course, if your dog is having flares and problems, you will have to go more often. it does take 6-18 months for the immunotherapy to take full effect. It's successful in about 70% of cases. How successful it will be for your dog depends on how severe the allergies are and what she's allergic to. Dogs with a lot of mold allergies seem to do less well with the immunotherapy than dogs whose maine allergens are mites and pollens. 

You may also have to postpone testing until your dog isn't having symptoms, since they cannot be on any drugs for a period of time prior to testing. I went in for a consultation months before we actually had the testing done. It was a lot to absorb, and the decision had to be made between testing and going the immunotherapy route, or not testing and using cyclosporine. I'm very glad I chose to go with the testing, as it has worked out great for us, you would never know Jack had any allergies at all,  and I don't worry about cancer risks or other side effects. The cyclosporine isn't cheap either, especially for a dog Jack's size. At the time we made our decision to do the testing, cyclosporine would have cost us about $180/mo., possibly for life! But every dog and situation is different, and you have to go with the options that will bring your dog the most relief. 

I know all of this seems overwhelming; it was for me. But a consultation with the derm vet as a first step is simple, and he/she may have alternative options for Hadley. For me, there was great relief in just having an answer and being able to stop guessing, and having an expert advising me. 

[TYoung]

Yes, it is a lot...sigh. It's not life threatening and it doesn't cause digestive issues...I can handle it.  

[Karen & Maple]

I've been in the same boat since last spring since about 15 months with some respite Jan-March. Now that we're in our second allergic season we are currently pursuing help via a specialist. I did find some relief from the suggestions discussed,in the above link, especially the bathing. We've been currently doing this as much as every other day. And on non full bath times, we still wash legs/ feet, stomach and face with a quick spray and wipe down all over which does bring relief albeit temporary.

[TYoung]

Good luck to you...I hope you manage it soon.  I'll post what the DermVet tells me after our visit.  I plan to schedule for asap.

[Karen & Maple]

Also, I've been tracking her symptoms daily per suggestion of the Dermatologist. He had suggested an app called 'itchology' but it doesn't seem to exist any longer so I'm using the WebMD app. You can track daily symptoms and treatments (create custom). This may help meantime to put together a picture.
My estimate for immunology testing and shots is about $1800. Pet Plan will cover 80% less the $100 deductible. Be sure to get insurance before the diagnosis as pre existing conditions will not be covered.

[TYoung]

Thank you for all this information!  I will get on this ASAP.  Hoping to weed through the insurance information and get a plan in place.  I don't know anything about the insurance plans and companies...sounds like an exhausting process to begin researching!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are only 2 or 3 companies that consistently get great reviews here on DK: Pet Plan is one, and I think many people like Trupanion and Healthy Paws. I'd start my research with those. The discussion that Jane linked above is a good one for recommendations. 

[TYoung]

Ive signed up with Healthy Paws!  We will start figuring this out soon, in the meantime Im doing 10 mg of Claritin and 1 krill oil per day.  Should I up the andy on these?

[Amy and Annabelle]

I have Healthy Paws. I have never had to use them. I have already met my deductible for this year, so if anything else happens, I will be sending in my first claim ever.