Hope someone out there can help...my 14 month GSD has experienced what seems to be intensely itchy pads of his paws. Actually in between the pads of his front paws. This problem first surfaced with just 1 front paw about 4 months ago. At that time I rec'd Gentamicin Spray from the vet. For the most part, it seemed to help. Problem is now it has resurfaced and this time it's both his front paws and is so itchy that he sometimes yelps while trying to scratch it. The spray appears to be doing nothing. I have another vet appt. but they can't fit me in until Friday morning. I feel really bad for him and want to put something on his paws until then.

Would Epson salt help? Any ideas?

Hi Judy it could a number of things,these come to mind either a to rich diet or possibly mites,or nerves some dogs chew there feet when under high stress. If it is mites, I would try dipping him with a strong dip for mites from the vet,We use a product called Amitix,not sure what'd you get where you are, if this does not work, then it could be the food he is eating is to rich, and could be overheating the blood, and making him chew his feet.The last in the elimantion process could be the stress factor.It is horrible to see them in distress.
If non of the above then a blood test for allergy's maybe your best option.He might put him on prednisilone to alleviate the chewing in the mean time, this is cortisone
based not good for long term use, but can bring short term relief.

Hi Michelle,

I would bet the farm it's not stress. I can't think of a single thing during his day that would stress him. In fact, he's got too nice a life if you ask me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ! No kids in house pulling his tail, no other animals, exercises every day, I work from home so he has company 24/7, fenced in acre to run, etc.

The too rich diet hit home though. Yikes. I would have never thought of it but here goes:

AM feeding is usually raw meat. Sometimes mix raw eggs in with it about once a week.

PM feeding is usually raw meat or left over cooked meat we didn't finish, i.e. steak, roast beef, hamburger, chicken (all of which is only shared with him because it was cooked with and has absolutely nothing on it). Once in a while I'll give him kibble but that's probably only once, maybe twice a month. It's a package I bought before I started reading about a raw diet so I'm just using it up.

He get's cooked liver once a week - loves it.

Here's the problem I think...I give him the RMB like every day to every other day. I did hear the stuff inside (marrow I guess) is really rich.

I give him treats for training every day too.

Mites - yuck. Don't know about that. Where would they come from? We have hardwood floors throughout most of the house. He isn't allowed on the furniture. There are two ponds on our patio, one of which is basically his pool. Both have running water w/filters. He drinks out of both of them but during play, he stops and runs onto the patio to dip into the one pond that is big enough for him to play in. Could it be the pond water?

Judy does your dog walk primarily on grass and/or carpet? I have had dogs that were very allergic to Bermuda and Rye grass. Also Cottonwood trees and evergreens. If you only have hardwood floors what do you clean it with? Are the pools treated with any kind of chemicals?

Judy, did this just start after this Sat. up here in CT? If so, he may be allergic to something that was in the area we were on Sat. ...possibly the grass or other things in the area...there were horses, cats, & other dogs & creatures that are regularly on that property. Also, yes the cottonwood trees are doing their thing right now & may cause some dogs that are allergic problems. But just in general if it is enviromental....it could be anything. Many times allergies don't show up until after a year or so in age. Just a thought. If is comtinues, it is a good idea to have the vet check him out. He can give you something. You can try a benadryl tab in the meantime if it is realy bad...that may give him some releif.

No to the carpet. Mostly hardwood. Vacuumed everyday, sometimes twice a day. No cleaner has been used on it other than warm water.

He's in grass every day. Don't know how to respond to the tree portion of your post simply because, as I said in my original post, this started about 4 months ago. Even before that. The medicine the vet gave is dated 12/09/05 so this started in the winter time!

Back to the diet maybe??

Oh, I forgot to answer the pool/pond question...no, they have nothing in them whatsoever but aquatic plants, filtered water and the dirt he brings into it! And the one he actually plays in only has 2 tiny aquatic plants that were just introduced last week. The problem started before that.

Judy, I didn't mean start for the 1st time...I meant worsen since the weekend. If, so, it could have been exaserbated by someting new that he was allergic to that he came into contact with in the last few days. That was all that I meant. Could have been in CT or anywhere else or anything else.

It sounds like you have eliminated most of the environmental possibilities. I guess if he was mine I would ask the vet about allergy testing (depending on diagnosis on Fri.) Anne suggested the Benadryl. It comes in cream too. Michelle suggested the cortizone. Both are great for itching <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I've used them on my dogs and myself!

No, it didn't worsen since CT. It's just been highly itchy for him for at least the last 3 weeks but it's hard to be exact because it kind of comes and goes. The spray previously seemed to have some effect but now does not, hence my thread before the vet appt.

How much Benadryl do you give 1/2 tab/day, 1 tab/day? Is it rare for a dog to have an adverse reaction to Benadryl? I've never given him one.