I have tried Prednisone but he's gained so much weight on it. I've also tried to get him to eat dog food that will stop the itch but he won't eat it. Help!
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The vet & the doggy dermatologist both told me a dog that licks at it's paws have allergies. We did not have luck with meds. the doggy derm. Was very expensive, & I was not impressed. South Florida grass is a big problem for allergies in dogs. We have lived with this problem for 10 years with this dog. It can get on one's nerves.
answered 5 months ago
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My dog has the same issue; it could be a number of things such as allergies (yes believe it or not dog's get them too), anxiety, he could be scratching due to shedding, or who knows he could just be itchy.
Dog Shampoo with Tea Tree Oil could help, remember don't baith him too often. That will leave his skin dry and itchy.
answered 6 months ago
Depending on the age of the dog he may be licking his front paws because they get tendonitis in the paws and tend to walk on the joints instead of the the pads. The joints become swollen and very tender and that's why they lick. It's the only relief they have. You can give them an enteric coated aspirin (your vet calls bute) it can't be a regular aspirin as it has to get past their stomach to dissolve or they generally throw it up. If that gives no relief, remadyl for dogs(very expensive aleve, naproxen sodium) works well. My sister has a mastiff she gives benadryl to occasionally, but he does go in for allergy shots. Mix any pill medication in a glob of peanut butter. It goes right down.
comment made by Little-guy 4 months ago 
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Whitecat,
It sounds like your dog has allergies--the three types in
dogs are environmental (atopy), food allergy, and flea allergy. For environmental allergies initial
treatment include anti-histamines, omega-3 acids found in fish oil, frequent
bathing, and treating underlying infections.
Frequent bathing in a non-allergic dog-more than once a week-does remove
oil from dog's skin. However in an
allergic dog frequent bathing actually helps because it removes the allergens
(pollen, weeds, etc) from the coat stopping or preventing the allergic reaction
(immune system's overreaction to stimulus). Bathing twice weekly or daily in very severe
cases is sometimes needed.
Your veterinarian
has several types of diets (novel
protein diets--protein and carbs come from sources not typically found in dog
food like rabbit--or hydrolyzed protein diets--where the proteins have already
been broken down partially to a size that should not cause allergic reaction.
If your pet has very severe allergies or a big flare-up
steroids, immune-modulating therapy (Atopica), or allergy shots may be
required. Allergies are frustrating and
are about control not cure--your veterinarian needs to be part of the effort the
control allergies.
Over-grooming behavior is also a possibility but not
associated with itching. It is usually
an obsessive behavior—treated with behavior modifications and/or behavior
medications.
Please bring your dog in for a visit to your veterinarian
who can help diagnose, treat, and continually manage your dog.
Ann Falk, DVM
answered 6 months ago
