allergy questions
#374800 - 03/10/2013 08:39 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-18-2002
Posts: 364
Loc:
Offline |
|
I have read some stuff here about allergies and also posted before about my wife's dog that chews her feet because of allergies. She chooses to keep the dog on prednisone for it rather than get her tested.
I also posted a few weeks ago about what I thought was a minor injury to my dogs right front paw. I now think that he may have an allergy issue because over the last few weeks I occasionally catch him, not chewing, but licking and sort of digging at the bottom of his two front paws. He also will limp slightly every now and then, which my wife's dog has never done. Also before the pred her dog was losing the fur on her feet. My dog is not having that problem so far. So I'm not 100% sure if its the same issue or not.
So questions:
Do you think they both have the same issue?
If so, I think that its clearly something in our environment that must be causing it, what might that be?
If you think that my dog does have an allergy issue, what is involved with testing/treatment and what does something like that cost?
|
Top
|
Re: allergy questions
[Re: Kory Fox ]
#374805 - 03/10/2013 05:05 PM |
Moderator
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
Did you examine the paws with a flashlight? How does it look between the toes? Is there any odor? Anything stuck in there?
If you want to put a lot more details here, we may be able to lead you away from or towards one of the top likelihoods.
For example, where (exactly) does the dog itch besides the paws (if it's itch and not an injury or foreign bodies).
There are so many extremely detailed atopy threads here. If you want, I will look up a few and link you.
But my absolute top priority (if it's allergies) would be an appointment with a derm vet.
Please remember that dogs are individuals in their reactions to allergies (if that's what this is), as much as people are (actually more so, with their histamine receptors in their skin).
But first, more info.
|
Top
|
Re: allergy questions
[Re: Kory Fox ]
#374806 - 03/10/2013 06:59 PM |
Moderator
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
"If so, I think that its clearly something in our environment that must be causing it, what might that be?"
This involves a list of dozens of common allergens. Some are around all the time and some are seasonal.
There are tree pollens (ash, cedar, oak, etc.), many grass pollens, many weed pollens, several molds, mildew, common dust mites, and more.
The number one likelihood ( if it's allergies) is flea saliva dermatitis, which does affect the paws in many or most of dogs who have it, regardless of where the actual exposure is (which is why the body geography question above). Number two is environmental/inhalant.
But way more detail is needed, if it's allergies, including the dog's age, itch timing, itch geography, and maybe a dozen more questions asked in all the allergy threads, if it's allergies.
|
Top
|
Re: allergy questions
[Re: Kory Fox ]
#374816 - 03/10/2013 04:28 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-18-2002
Posts: 364
Loc:
Offline |
|
He's just over a year old. Its only his front paws and its very infrequent. At least that we see him do it. He will lick and dig at the bottom of his front paws. More the right than the left. There is a very small amount of redness between two of the toes on the right sometimes but not all the time. I haven't seen any redness on the left side but he doesn't like me checking them so its hard to tell for sure. That's why we originally thought injury because my wife was walikng him and he just stopped and started digging at. From then on is when we noticed him messing with it from time to time and occasionally he will limp after a lot of physical activity. However today we did two sessions of protection work and no limping and so far no messing with it.
|
Top
|
Re: allergy questions
[Re: Kory Fox ]
#374817 - 03/10/2013 07:00 PM |
Moderator
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
Is there any odor? Maybe like Fritos, or like must or yeast? (Yeast is a possibility without allergies.)
Can you marker-train him for paw-handling? I would do this anyway, but particularly when you are facing a question like this. You need a close-up look with a flashlight.
Does he ever lift the foot so it doesn't touch the ground?
Are you able to handle it enough to gently cup the paw and feel for heat?
|
Top
|
Re: allergy questions
[Re: Kory Fox ]
#374818 - 03/10/2013 07:00 PM |
Moderator
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
PS
I'd start the paw-handling training now, today, so you can do it gradually and look for a foreign object or wound. Start with a paw-touch and a reward. Increase the touch duration only slightly next time. Make this a special reward that you reserve for this "procedures" training. Maybe bacon or cheese?
|
Top
|
Re: allergy questions
[Re: Kory Fox ]
#374819 - 03/10/2013 06:02 PM |
Webboard User
![](https://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/avatars/potted_flowers1.gif)
![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 04-29-2004
Posts: 3825
Loc: Northeast
Offline |
|
Interesting...as allergies don't usually start in dogs until after 2 years of age. (usually closer to 3 yr) It is unusual in dogs younger & EXTREMELY rare in dogs at a year old.
MY DOGS...MY RULES
![an image](http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv283/zenithgirl/IMG_0281.jpg) |
Top
|
Re: allergy questions
[Re: Kory Fox ]
#374822 - 03/10/2013 06:46 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-18-2002
Posts: 364
Loc:
Offline |
|
There is no odor or heat that I can detect. I am gradually working with him to let me touch/hold them more. I am able to get a better look if I give him a kong full of peanut butter. He does lift his foot off the ground when he walks if that's what you mean and I still only see the small bit of redness between two toes on the right paw. None on the left. And he does mess with the right one more.
|
Top
|
Re: allergy questions
[Re: Anne Jones ]
#374825 - 03/11/2013 11:25 PM |
Moderator
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
Interesting...as allergies don't usually start in dogs until after 2 years of age. (usually closer to 3 yr) It is unusual in dogs younger & EXTREMELY rare in dogs at a year old.
Yeah, I moved away from atopy a little after we got more info, too, including no itching anywhere else.
I'd want to see right down between those toes with a flashlight and maybe even a magnifying glass.
|
Top
|
Re: allergy questions
[Re: Kory Fox ]
#374826 - 03/10/2013 07:30 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-18-2002
Posts: 364
Loc:
Offline |
|
What am I looking for Connie? You suspect he did step on something like we first thought?
|
Top
|
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.