Constant paw licking...Help

[Hailey and Charlie]

Charlie is a 1 year 4 month old miniature goldendoodle and I notice the past 2-3 days he has been licking his right paw! My mom has a dog that does that and saw what the negative consequences were about paw licking.
I have my changed his food. He eats acana and loves it. I have inspected the paw for a cut. I don't think he is in pain because he doesn't try to pull his paw away when I grab it or anything. When I look between his pads there is redness between one of his toes but that could be from the licking.
So I would really like suggestions on what I should do. Should I go to the vet? or give him anything specific to help?

[Sam&Bella]

I am going through the same thing with Bella. Though she hasn't been doing it that much. Karen told me that human fish oil gels might help, along with a bunch of other things. Here is a link to a discussion that I made a while ago. the second comment is all the things that might help.(by Karen):http://http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/the-licking-won-t-stop

I hope that helps:)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Odds are that Charlie has seasonal allergies, otherwise known as Atopic Dermatitis. He's not in pain, but he is itching severely from a histamine response, and if you don't do something to relieve the itching, the paw will get infected. That red coloring to the fur between the pads is from licking, and if it continues he will develop a moist dermatitis, otherwise known as hot spots. He may also start working at other areas of his body, since this is just the beginning of ragweed season in most areas. 

You could consult your vet, but I've found that many GP vets are not real well versed in diagnosing or treating Atopy. Typically, they will try to sell you Rx food (worthless) or recommend Benadryl, which is not your best choice of antihistamine for this, and if it's severe, they may prescribe steroids. However, if the conservative methods recommended in this link don't help, you may have to bring him in, because he's miserable.

Here's some info. At the bottom of the article, there's a list of thing you can do that might help:

 http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

For temporary relief of inhalant allergies, here are some things that you can do:

Give Omega 3 fatty acid supplements. You want the Omega 3 fatty acids DHA & EPA, which are only found in fish. You can also give GLA in the form of evening primrose oil supplements. In both cases, use human softgel supplements. 

If you feed dry dog food, check the Omega 6:3 ratio. You want a ratio of 5:1 or less, the lower the better, and the Omega 3 content should come from fish.

Give antihistamines. Different antihistamines are more effective for different dogs. Typically, you want second generation antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness, like Claritin, Zyrtec, Atarax, etc. rather than Benadryl.

Use OTC anti-itch sprays on the affected areas. These are available at most pet supply stores.

Wipe the dog down every time he comes in from outside, paying particular attention to the feet, and keep the feet as dry as possible. Brush the dog daily.

Keep the indoor areas where the dog spends the most time as clean and dust free as possible. Wash bedding weekly, wash food & water bowls daily. Vacuum as often as possible.

Keep dry foods in air-tight storage containers and don;t buy more than you can use in a month unless you can freeze it. 

If the feet are affected, you can soak them in tepid water with epsom salts. Be sure to dry thoroughly afterwards.

Bathe the dog often, weekly if possible, with a shampoo formulated for allergic dogs. (I like Douxo Calm). Do NOT use leave-in conditioners or other grooming products. Use a cool dryer setting or air-dry. 

As much as I hate doing it, keeping windows closed really helps with pollen allergies. Run the A/C in warm weather especially, the allergy symptoms are exacerbated by humidity. Use a furnace filter with a high allergen rating and change it monthly. 

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/some-basic-facts-about?gro...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And since you mentioned changing his food, here's some factual information about food allergies in dogs. Keep in mind that despite what many people think, food allergies are not common in dogs; only one dog in 100 actually has food allergies. And for those who do, changing brands of food will not help, because allergies are very, very specific, and there is no reliable test to determine what specific proteins any given dog is allergic to. You must change to a food that contains a single protein source that the dog has never eaten before. Sometimes changing food helps with Atopy, but that's because of fatty acid content and/or lack of storage mites, not because of the food itself.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/facts-a...

[Hailey and Charlie]

Oops that was a typo I meant I haven't changed his food. He eats acana and loves it. I actually have itch cream I can definitely try that.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You don't want to use creams or ointments on dogs. They stay moist and get rubbed off, or the dog licks them off.  The sprays are best, they dry fast.  

[Hailey and Charlie]

I will also look into the fish oil and check the ratio on the acana bag. Thank you for all your help. I want to make sure that it does not become severe

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Clancy has been licking his front paws for a week now. I am worried because we were in an area with foxtails. I  have checked and there doesn't appear to be any cut or problem, so I think is just may be the grass we are walking in.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What about the grass do you think might cause him to be licking his paws? 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I don't know what kind of grass is at this campground. I know there is some clover and I know they have re-seeded, but I don't know if they have sprayed it with anything.  He hasn't licked his paws like this forever!  I can't find any injuries, cuts, swellings, fleas, foxtails, burrs etc. Doesn't mean there isn't something though.   I found some gum on one paw, but cut it out a few days ago.  How about rinsing in a weak peroxide solution? Vinegar solution?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would just wash them and try an antihistamine pill for a few days. Here in the east it is ragweed season but I don't know what allergens you have there.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's inhaling the pollen that causes the allergy symptoms, not just coming into contact with grass, though. I'm not sure what the growth cycles are like out in CA, but in temperate climates like mine and F's, the grass pollinates in late spring- early summer, and the season for grass allergies is over. Clover shouldn't be pollinating now either. As F mentioned, seasonal allergy symptoms that are happening right now would likely be ragweed and other weeds like cocklebur and lamb's quarters. You can check pollen.com to see what the worst allergens are right now for your zipcode. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I'll keep watching him and stop the chewing.  I washed his paws today, and he hasn't chewed as much, so perhaps it is something he stepped in.