Jonathan Holen wrote 10/22/2011 08:26 PM Sores on Paws #347586 - 10/22/2011 08:26 PM
Jonathan Holen Webboard User Reg: 08-10-2006 Posts: 73 Loc: Offline	Hello Leerburg Forums! Blade and I are back with a question. We've been on a raw diet for almost 2 years now I think, and we are struggling with a sore paw issue that we just can't seem to get rid of. This probably started about six months ago, and has come and gone. It is just on his left side, especially on his back paw. I've taken some pictures to help show what I'm trying to describe. My wife and I have tried simply treating it with hydrogen peroxide, and that worked previously, but it just seems to take a very long time to heal. We have not gone to a vet yet, as they are always trying to push vaccinations and question the raw diet. Your help will greatly be appreciated. Paw - 1 Paw - 2 His diet is a mix of chicken backs, ground beef, the occasional egg, as well as salmon oil. Thanks, Jonathan & Blade
Top
Mara Jessup wrote 10/22/2011 09:34 PM Re: Sores on Paws [Re: Jonathan Holen ] #347589 - 10/22/2011 09:34 PM
Mara Jessup Webboard User Reg: 12-28-2005 Posts: 2316 Loc: Offline	Not quite sure about the paw, but he really needs more variety in that diet. I'd want to add in another meat or two(turkey, lamb, sardines, mackerel) plus organ meats (heart, liver, kidney, tripe) I do know that an imbalanced diet over time can manifest itself in many ways. So that could be part of the problem if that is all the variety that he's getting in his diet. I'll throw out a couple of questions about the paw - Does it seem to bother him? does he scratch it? lick it? Any environmental changes? K-9 Knitter
Top
Jonathan Holen wrote 10/22/2011 10:23 PM Re: Sores on Paws [Re: Mara Jessup ] #347595 - 10/22/2011 10:23 PM
Jonathan Holen Webboard User Reg: 08-10-2006 Posts: 73 Loc: Offline	The paw doesn't seem to bother him. I will definitely add some stuff to his diet. I did not realize that was not enough variety, I feel bad now! When you mentioned sardines and mackerel, are these just things you get at the local grocery store? Will also check there for some liver/heart/kidney. Thanks Mara for the suggestions.
Top
Mara Jessup wrote 10/23/2011 08:08 AM Re: Sores on Paws [Re: Jonathan Holen ] #347604 - 10/23/2011 08:08 AM
Mara Jessup Webboard User Reg: 12-28-2005 Posts: 2316 Loc: Offline	Yes, you can get the sardines/mackerel at the grocery store, but often you can get it a bit cheaper at dollar stores. Look for no salt varieties, but if you can't find them just drain them (you can rinse them too, but I don't because I only feed them a few times a month) Here is a great basic article on feeding raw - just scroll down to the right section http://www.dogaware.com/diet/homemade.html K-9 Knitter
Top
Betty Landercasp wrote 10/23/2011 08:57 AM Re: Sores on Paws [Re: Mara Jessup ] #347609 - 10/23/2011 08:57 AM
Betty Landercasp Webboard User Reg: 11-30-2009 Posts: 3724 Loc: minnesota Offline	Stop the peroxide. Is there a bump behind/above the pad? Did this begin with an injury, like a cut in the area? A diagnosis should NOT be made over the internet!!!!! But-- You could try this for a short time: alternate -cortizone, wait 12 hrs, athlete's foot cream morning and night, basically the main Rx being the athlete's foot product with an occasional cortizone thrown in to quiet the redness. Do that for a week or so, and see if it begins to quiet down. If not, or if it gets worse, it should be examined. There are deep fungal infections and even some tumors that can look like this. Cortizones can make fungus worse--so don't overuse that, you are just trying to quiet the inflammation and see if the topical antifungal has any beneficial effect. http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad67/Grasvaly/
Top
Connie Sutherland wrote 10/23/2011 11:12 AM Re: Sores on Paws [Re: Jonathan Holen ] #347614 - 10/23/2011 11:12 AM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	Quote: jonathan holen The paw doesn't seem to bother him. I will definitely add some stuff to his diet. I did not realize that was not enough variety, I feel bad now! When you mentioned sardines and mackerel, are these just things you get at the local grocery store? Will also check there for some liver/heart/kidney. Thanks Mara for the suggestions. Looking at that inflammation, I need to echo the comment about "stop the peroxide." I would pay good heed to Dr. Betty's recommendations. And Mara has pointed out pretty significant deficiencies in that diet, such as organ meat (as mentioned). Even though it's only 5 to 10% of the diet, it's not optional, IMO. Neither is a little produce or green tripe (produce is also a small part of the diet, but again, IMO, not really optional). I too would urge that there be more protein variety. Chicken backs are a wonderful base RMB, and that attached kidney is nice too (although not nearly enough organ meat), but there needs to be a little variety in the added muscle meat. And the dog needs Vitamin E to protect the PUFAs in the oil supplement (which is good! Good to give fish oil!). The diet is not a disaster, but it's missing some stuff. Let us know about the paw! eta Just a reminder that organ meat is added very gradually so as not to trigger diarrhea.
Top
Connie Sutherland wrote 10/23/2011 11:18 AM Re: Sores on Paws [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #347615 - 10/23/2011 11:18 AM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	And not to hijack ..... back to the paw.
Top
Jonathan Holen wrote 10/23/2011 01:49 PM Re: Sores on Paws [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #347629 - 10/23/2011 01:49 PM
Jonathan Holen Webboard User Reg: 08-10-2006 Posts: 73 Loc: Offline	Thanks for all the advice. No more peroxide - check. I agree about not trying to diagnose this over the internet, just not sure where to go here in the Seattle area. If anyone can make a good recommendation for a leerburg minded vet I would be more than happy to take Blade for a visit. I will look into cortizone and athelete's foot products. And I'll definitely take a look at all the advice on the raw diet and make some changes - I admit that once we made the switch over we stopped at the first few steps, where we were just introducing the chicken backs and never really diversified beyond that. Thanks for all the suggestions and for the constructive yet kind input. p.s. we also have Vitamin E pills that we give him, forgot to mention that in the initial post.
Top
Jonathan Holen wrote 10/23/2011 04:32 PM Re: Sores on Paws [Re: Jonathan Holen ] #347636 - 10/23/2011 04:32 PM
Jonathan Holen Webboard User Reg: 08-10-2006 Posts: 73 Loc: Offline	Ok, just got back from the store. Got some new stuff for his diet! Also dug my two books on raw diet out, "Raw Dog Food" by Carina Beth MacDonald, and "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats" by Kymythy Schultze. I had previously gotten both from Leerburg. I'll keep you guys updated on the progress, on both the diet and the paws (which are already looking better today).
Top
Lori Hall wrote 10/23/2011 04:52 PM Re: Sores on Paws [Re: Jonathan Holen ] #347638 - 10/23/2011 04:52 PM
Lori Hall Webboard User Reg: 06-12-2007 Posts: 1039 Loc: So. California coast Offline	Jonathan, I would like to add another thought to the mix regarding the vet. My vet was not keen on the whole raw diet and vaccine thing either, but the others on this forum encouraged me to stand up for what I think is the best thing for my dog. I calmly explained to the vet each time there was a negative comment, and before long they started to accept the fact that I was going to make my own decision on this. Not only did they stop commenting on it, but the dermatology vet has admitted that she believes his diet is keeping his skin in great shape even though he tests positive for 43 different environmental allergens - she doesn't have many dogs that are so itchy, but their skin looks good and stays yeast and bacteria free. So I'm encouraging you to not shy away from taking your dog to the vet when he needs to go, and stand confident that you are doing the healthiest thing for him!
Top

Previous Topic

Index

Next Topic

Page 1 of 5 123>>Last

When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.

Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional. The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.

Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc. By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.