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I’m having some problems with my dog he is black Lab Mix. He keeps licking and biting his paws especially around the nail beds (there are no visible deformities or growths, but the skin between the toes will sometimes become swollen and a oily to puss like discharge) and also seems to be scratching his muzzle excessively causing some light bald spots, here is a little history on him; 04/08 took him to the Vet for the above; they did a scraping from between his toes and muzzle. The Vet said that it showed that he had some kind of hair follicle mite and suggested 6 monthly treatments of Promeris for dogs. Though he disliked having it applied more and more (it seemed like it really irritated him for a few hours after application) he stopped scratching his muzzle (hair grew back), stopped biting his paws and the licking decreased a lot. 11/08 The biting, licking and scratching returned with a vengeance, we went back to the Vet (different Vet same office) and told him what was going on. He didn’t seem to be too concerned because his paws did not look to bad, actually looking back it seemed like he didn’t examine them too closely but took a scraping from the top of his paw and said that it showed no mites like before. He suggested that it might be some type of food allergy (he was on a low grain food diet for over a year) and suggested a grain free food also to use Benadryl 50mg & Cephalexin 500mg if the paws looked like they were getting infected. We have changed his diet to grain free dry food and sweet potato & fish can food 6 weeks ago but there has been no improvement. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and or do you think I should push to have the Vet do another scraping this time between the toes or around the nail beds, thanks Mitch itchie694@sbcglobal.net

 

Mitch, first of all, thank you for the detailed information. That is extremely helpful and allows me to help you so much better! Secondly, good for you for your patience and dilligence in addressing this issue for your dog. It is so frustrating to see your pet itchy and uncomfortable, and if the tags are constantly clanking together, annoying too, right!?
So, the food trial is a good one and important. It can take up to 12 weeks to see a marked improvment if the problem is due to food allergies.  However, it sounds more like your dog has inhalant allergies (atopy) like hayfever that we can get.  If that is the case, changing food will not make a difference.  Since you have been at this for so long, I strongly suggest you discuss with your veterinarian a referral to an veterinary dermatologist.  Yes, we have allergy/dermatology specialists for pets, and THEY KNOW ITCHING!  There are many medications that can be more effective than benadryl for some dogs and allergy treatments may be warranted.  I promise, you will not be disappointed if you go to one. 
 
You can go on line to find a specialist near you if your vet cannot recommend one. 
 
www.acvd.org
 
 
The American College of Veterinary Dermatology certifies veterinarians who have expertise and specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of animals with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, hair ears and nails. A veterinary dermatologist also has had significant training and is experienced in the treatment of allergic disorders.