Update! Redness and paw licking noticed after a visit to the groomers. Coincidence?

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

For the last three days, I noticed Gracie licking her paws. Mostly she is licking the hind paws and they are the raw spots.
I have noticed a little redness to the front paws, but they don't seem to bother her as much.

Monday she was at the groomers, so I'm also thinking maybe her skin is irritated? However, if it was that it shouldn't it occur all over?


I checked her ears and she has another yeast infection coming on. I do keep a good eye on her ears, but I might not be cleaning them enough. So, maybe this is another symptom of the yeast infection?

The other thing - we've been playing outside with her a lot and there is a type of fungus in the grass. It is a rusty powdery fungus that we seem to get every year. Could this be irritating her?

She is on Wellness Puppy food. She is almost 9 months. I have read about food allergies as well.

Where do I start?

I'm attaching pics of her hind paws.

[Lynda Kamrath]

My first impression was razor burn from the clippers they use between the toes, but after looking at the photo, it looks more like a yeast infection to me.  Yeast infections are very contageous and easily spread.  However, contact with fungus could do the same.  I think the cortisone spray is a good idea after washing well and then try a sock to keep her from licking. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Actually, at first I did think razor burn. But they didn't shave the tops of her paws. :/

Anyway, she's all set and has had her bath, antihistamine, anti-itch spray, and evening primrose.

She's actually sleeping right now, so that's good as it means she's not licking!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sounds good. It can take two weeks to see the full effect of the EPO and antihistamines, be sure to give them every day. 

When you have a chance, look at the fur between her pads. JD's was dark reddish-brown, it was the first sign of his seasonal allergies. You might check her axilla and groin areas for any signs of redness or moist dermatitis, too. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

The fur isn't reddish brown, but between the toes on the hind paws it is flaming red!
Nothing abnormal anywhere else though.

What should I be looking for if I should to take her to the vet?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm always nervous when people go to their GP vets for these kinds of things, because so many GP vets are not well-educated in allergies and will either proclaim a food allergy and sell some Rx garbage food or shoot the dog up with a massive dose of steroids, or both. Most GP vets have also never heard of using Omega 3 fatty acids or any antihistamine other than Benadryl to treat allergy symptoms, either.  If you do go to the vet, it should be to have a skin scraping done to make sure there isn't already an infection present and to get something to treat it if there is, or something to help with the itching to prevent an infection from developing. So your focus is going to be that this is most likely (10 to 1 is the statistic) an inhalant allergy and you are going to insist that the vet treat it as such. Refuse to discuss food. If steroids are needed, opt for topical or oral steroids, not a shot. Since the issue is limited to the paws, try and get the topical steroid lotion (there's one called Genesis) and there's also a good topical treatment with chlorhexidine called Resi-Ketochlor. But I don't know if GP vets have those, I get them from JD's dermatologist.  

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Thanks, Karen!

I follow the food advice here (your advice). :D So, yeah I wouldn't get the rx food. I will keep an eye on her to make sure it doesn't turn into an infection.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The last time JD had an allergy flare, it was confined to his feet and the Genesis plus the ResiKetochlor did the trick beautifully. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Just wanted to update.

Gracie seems to be getting better. Her ears were getting red and now they have gone back to almost normal. I've also been feeding her plain yogurt.

This morning when she woke up the hair on her paws was nice and fluffy. I couldn't see the rawness until I wiped her down and sprayed her feet. She has licked them a little this morning, but it was briefly.
Last night she slept in my lap for almost an hour. Lol. But, this morning she was her normal frisky self!

Thanks so much Karen!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad she's improving. You're doing a good job, stay with it. 

If this is what I think it is, the worst of the pollen allergy season is yet to come. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Just a quick update.
First, I want to thank Karen for her advice.

We have had Gracie on a regimen for a month now to keep her allergies at bay. Although she hasn't been tested yet, it seems that Karen was right on target with the inhalant/pollen allergies since the recommendations work when we stay on top of things.

Here is what we have found works for Gracie's itchy paws.
*She gets bathed once a week with synergy labs medicated shampoo for itchiness and hot spots. Now this product wasn't recommended (except for the weekly bath) but I gave it a try and it really helps her when she seems to get too itchy.
*She gets her "vitamins" which are Claritin and Evening Primrose oil twice a day. It's cute because I say time for your vitamins and she goes right to the kitchen counter. I wrap them in a little piece of cheese and she "eats" them up (more like swallows them whole!)
*She gets her paws wiped every time she comes in the house. We use a wet cloth for the quick trip in and out, but when she's been out for an extended time she gets her paws dunked in water that also has a diluted antiseptic cleanser in it (it's a squirt inside about a gallon of water). We dunk her paws for about 30 seconds each time. Or if she's licking them more, she gets them dunked in the am and once before bed. She also gets her paws sprayed with hydrocortisone spray after they have been dunked and towel dried.
* I also keep an eye on the pollen counts to judge how long we should keep her out playing in the grass or if she should avoid the grass when we go for a walk to at least attempt to control the pollen that gets on her.
*We vacuum every day and try to keep the doors closed especially on high pollen count days. It gets harder to do with cooler temps though.

Her paws are still pinkish red, but the hair is growing back and she doesn't bother them as much when we stay on task. When we get lazy with the routine - that's when I see her licking them more.
So, thanks Karen. Wish I could tag you directly. ;)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad to hear that you've been able to stay on top of things and keep her more comfortable. 

I feel your pain about keeping the house closed up in the cooler weather. September and October are the nicest months of the year here in my area, clear and sunny, but with a cool bite in the air, the perfect weather for sleeping with windows open. But it's also the time of year when JD gets itchiest. :(

Don't forget to wash her bedding if you haven't already. I keep a comforter on JD's bed because it's easier to wash that every week than to take the bed cover off and put it back on. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

The only bedding she has is ours. Lol. She's not very good with dog beds, just chews on them. But, we are washing the bedding every week and putting fresh linens on. We have some blankets on the couches and they get washed as well.
I've been keeping her dog bowls cleaned as well.
Lots of extras to do, but I'd rather do that then have her miserable.