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.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A Lab mix who's licking her paws this much at this time of year most likely has Atopic Dermatitis, which is also called seasonal, inhalant, or environmental allergies. It has nothing to do with her food. This was the exact case with my Jack; my vet noticed the redness of the fur between her pads and knowing what it meant, immediately referred us to a dermatologist rather than trying to sell me Rx foods or wasting time and money with prednisone, Temaril, Benadryl, etc. For that I will be forever grateful. Jack's immunotherapy has been extremely successful and involves no drugs.  If this were my dog, I'd make an appointment with a veterinary dermatology specialist, because the sooner you start treatment, the more successful it is. 

Here is some information: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Some of us treat seasonal allergies with antihistamines, which can be very effective. If they fail to help a visit to the vet or specialist may be warranted.

[TYoung]

Sigh...

So, we live in an area where the pollen falls in March for about 6 weeks.  It falls over everything like a a thick yellow blanket of Oobleck (Dr. Seuss reference).  Hadley is 17 months old now and this would be her 2nd encounter with pollen..the first when she was only 4 months old in March of 2015.  Is that why it didn't show up then, bcuz she had no prior exposure?  

She hasn't had any stomach/bowel issues, so that rules out food.  She has a clean and healthy diet :) 

Im in the process of researching Derm Vets in the area so I hope to get her to one soon.  

Will it be an issue if the Vet can't see her until next week sometime?

Should I give her some Claritin in the mean time?  

If so, what would be the proper dose for a 40 lb, 17 month old?

BTW, it appeared to me as if her breathing was a little labored a few days ago when she was resting.  

OH goodness...it's so hard to not worry.  I love my girl and hate to think she's suffering!

Thanks for the thorough post you linked.

Also, I typically bathe her.  But, I had a car accident in March that really wrecked my back and neck...so, I took her to a local spot for just a bath, once in early March and then again in late April.  Could she be reacting to the shampoo they used?  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd try 10 mg Claritin (or the generic- but not the "D" version) twice a day. Omega 3 fatty acids help a lot in conjunction with the antihistamine, too. 

And here's a link to find a derm vet in your area: https://www.acvd.org/

[TYoung]

Great thanks!!

Thoughts on the shampoo?  Could she be allergic to that?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nope. The allergens that are producing the symptoms are protein molecules that enter the bloodstream through inhalation; typically pollens, molds, dust mites, dander, that kind of thing. The shampoo could have irritated her or caused a contact dermatitis, but that's a different issue.

I bring my own shampoo to the groomers. I use Douxo Calm Shampoo and I swear by it. Jack doesn't have flares any more, but when he did, he was bathed ever week or two, it really does help. The lather has to be left on for at least 5 minutes before rinsing. I order it on-line.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, and to answer one fo your other questions, you're exactly right about the allergy symptoms showing up now on her second exposure. Typically, antibodies are formed during the first exposure and then the allergic response is triggered when the dog is exposed to the allergens the following year. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's the thing: there are dogs here who have mild to moderate allergy symptoms seasonally, usually in the Spring, some in the Fall, and for those dogs, conservative treatments like antihistamines, fatty acids, and topicals work well to control them. But to my knowledge, those dogs also didn't start showing symptoms at the very young age of 17 months, at least not symptoms this severe. My Jack also started showing these same symptoms at a very young age, which is why my vet sent us to the dermatologist right away. The median age for symptoms of Atopy to show up in dogs is 30-36 months. According to Jack's dermatologist, earlier onset usually means a more severe case. Jack's skin test was in the high positive range for 13 different allergens, and he had symptoms from Spring until first frost, with Late Summer-Autumn being the worst. The red fur between the pads and the paw licking were only the tip of the iceberg. I hope that isn't the case for Hadley, but it's one reason to consider seeing a specialist if things don't improve soon.  .

[TYoung]

My vet gave me a name that cross references with the list you sent me.  It's a 45 minute drive..ugh.  Oh well, I'm going to make an appointment for first chance that works and get this attention asap.  I don't do well with waiting around.  Anyhow, in the meantime, Im going to start giving her the Claritin. I already have it in the house since most of us have allergies.  I knew she fit right into us from the start :)  I know she could have worse things, so...

Tip of the iceberg?  What other symptoms, reactions has Jack had?  I you don't mind, I would like to know what to look for, just in case (God forbid.)

So, just thinking out loud, could she be having severe reactions to the local allergens because she and her parents were bred across the country?  If so, do you know of any immuno-therapies to have her slowly exposed to the local allergens in order to build her immunity toward them.  Wondering if some of the human rules apply regarding allergies and their treatments.  I can look it up, but figured you probably have already done this homework...haha.

Thanks so much for  your help!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The intense itching is awful to see. The paw licking resulted in hairless, raw infected paws; his front paws looked like pickled pig's feet most of the summer. Reddish purple eyelids, hair loss on his forehead and face from rubbing it against furniture trying to relieve the itching. Hair loss on other parts of his body and hot spots from scratching, rubbing, licking, etc. In the fall, the itching was so intense he couldn't hold still. He would pace, pant, drool, fling himself against various surfaces trying to relieve the itching, scratch and bite at himself non-stop. It was heartbreaking.

The immunotherapy that we use works exactly as you are describing. The dog is tested to find out the exact allergens and the strength of the response. Then antigens are custom formulated according to the test results (this is why it's important to get the testing right, which means skin testing by a dermatologist, not blood tests, saliva, tests, etc) and the idea is to desensitize the dog to the allergens by gradually exposing him to the allergens to raise the threshold until the level he can tolerate is greater than the amount present in the environment. In the beginning, they get a shot every other day or so. The amounts and strength of the antigens increases over the first month until the dog is on a maintenance dose and only need a shot every 2-4 weeks. (Varies with each individual). 
I don't know where Jack was born, but he spent much of his first year in AZ. I also don't know how he ended up here in IL, but ragweed is his worst allergen, along with several other weeds and grasses that don't grow in AZ. So your theory may be valid. However, a lot of this is genetic, and Labrador retrievers are the number two breed affected by Atopy, with Golden Retrievers also over-represented in the population of dogs with Atopic Dermatitis. 

[TYoung]

OK...well, just have to get the testing done and get on with things.  Is it an expensive procedure involving the therapy, visits etc. ? Every other would be rough given how far the Derm Vet is.  Im such "preview" person, this all helps me wrap my brain around what potentially has to be done from different perspectives.

Thanks so much!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

You will actually be doing the shots yourself so you won't need to run to the vet every other day for that.  The shots are also now available in drops as well.  That is fairly new.  Depending on where you live the cost will vary, but it isn't what I would call cheap!  If I recall correctly, ballpark $300 for the testing and then the shots were maybe $250 and those lasted several months.  Hopefully you have Pet Insurance!