Dog Licking Paw

Layinghen

Have noticed over the past few weeks my JRT is licking one of her paws an awful lot.

Now she loves herself and is always giving herself lots of licks but recently this one front paw is getting most of the attention.

I have looked at it and felt it and can't find anything wrong with it. It doesn't appear to be sore for her when I touch it, it's not warm and I can't feel or see anything stuck between her toes.

She isn't stressed, nothing in her over indulged life has changed, she is still the centre of the universe!!!!!

Would anybody have any idea what is going on with her or any idea how I can get her to stop at this paw. When I say "aha aha" she stops, it seems to me like she has developed a habit of just licking it but I am worried that if she keeps at it she will cause damage to it.

Bells21

Could it possibly be an allergy that's causing it? Because of where abouts they're licking it and the time of year I wonder could it possibly be from pollen/grass etc? Either that or perhaps a grass seed has found its way under the skin. Is the area red and inflamed looking? Is it only the one paw that's being licked?

Layinghen

Hi Bells,

It's just the one paw. It doesn't look red or inflamed when it is dry, after a licking session her fur around the front of the paw looks sore to me. But she has no problem with me touching it and when it dries it looks normal again.

She is mainly a beach dog so not too much contact with grass, other than when she goes to do her business the odd time.

The_Valeyard

Mites from under the grass? It's that time of year.

Layinghen

Hi Valeyard,

Do you know what I can do about the mites? I am just afraid her licking will do damage to her paw.

Bells21

She will end up making it sore alright when licking continuously. Could you try soaking the paw in some water that has been boiled and allowed to cool?

Layinghen

Thanks Bells I will do that.

I really appreciate the advice.

Bells21

I've a JRTx here and I remember reading somewhere before that they are a breed that can become a bit obsessed with over cleaning and grooming. Perhaps distracting her up and away from her spot when she starts licking might be a way to stop the excessive habit. If it continues it might be worth a visit to the vet just to double check there's nothing there bothering her.

Layinghen

Yes indeed JRTs are a law onto themselves

aonb

If theres no redness/soreness and its not inflamed or swollen I would suggest that anxiety or habit are the next two likely reasons for obsessive licking. Dogs can get into a "hypnotic" zone with obsessive behaviour like this. If you can nip it in the bud - with distraction etc - would definitely be a good idea. You could put a baby sock on the leg thats being licked or a bit of that sticky clingy elasticy bandage on it (cant remember the name :rolleyes:) just to help break the habit. Have you changed food or any other reason for an allergic reaction? Glad shes still the centre of the universe

Damien360

Our lad gets mites and licks his paws. Often he bites at his toes gently or scrapes his teeth along the itching area. You can get a simple spray in most pet shops for this.

Spread her toes out and look between the toes. If they are red or inflamed then it could very well be mites. The spray works quickly and the itching stops.

Layinghen

Hi aonb, no change in food or her living conditions. She certainly has no reason to be anxious over anything as her foolish human slave caters to her every desire .

Damien thanks for the advice re. the spray.

From what I have learnt here I now think she must have had some irritant in her paw at some stage and now the licking has turned into a habit. Time for some tough love and a bit of discipline me thinks :eek:

muddypaws

There could be a tiny grass seed stuck in there that you may not be able to see. I would go to the vet just to rule anything physical out

123shooter

muddypaws wrote: »

There could be a tiny grass seed stuck in there that you may not be able to see. I would go to the vet just to rule anything physical out

I have seen this in 2 of my dogs. It is a type of grass seed which slides down the hair and enters the skin where it will get inflamed and even go septic. I read about it once and it can lead to severe problems if left as the seed can travel through the flesh.

On my dogs I was able to see a tiny hole when the hair had been licked off and able to squeeze the seed out. In one dog there were 2 seeds.

My vet at the time said he knew of it but had never seen it in all his years.

https://www.google.ie/search?q=grass+seed+infection&rlz=1C2ASUC_enIE722IE722&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1jp_fnPTUAhUmAcAKHSFKDxcQ_AUIBigB&biw=1229&bih=589#imgrc=_

razorblunt

Our lady (westie) gets mites in the summer, mainly front paws and up under the shoulders.
Hibbie scrub on occasion and half a piriton if it gets really bad sorts her right out.

Layinghen

Everybody, thanks so much for all the help and advice.

I got a spray from the pet shop which should stop any itching and discourage her from licking the paw.

The assistant in the pet shop had a look at her paw and couldn't see anything stuck between her toes so she felt that something irritated the paw at some stage and all the licking was exacerbating matters.

So she now has had her paw soaked, sprayed and I'm watching her like a hawk to stop her licking herself.

This is why I love this forum us animal nuts are all here for each other in our time of need.

Dubl07

aonb wrote: »

If theres no redness/soreness and its not inflamed or swollen I would suggest that anxiety or habit are the next two likely reasons for obsessive licking. Dogs can get into a "hypnotic" zone with obsessive behaviour like this. If you can nip it in the bud - with distraction etc - would definitely be a good idea. You could put a baby sock on the leg thats being licked or a bit of that sticky clingy elasticy bandage on it (cant remember the name :rolleyes:) just to help break the habit. Have you changed food or any other reason for an allergic reaction? Glad shes still the centre of the universe

I've used 'no-chew' cohesive bandage in the past. Turns out my dog likes the bitter taste If ordinary cohesive bandage is available locally, that plus a baby sock might help when you're out or asleep and can't interrupt the behaviour.

lewis

My dog has started licking his paw a lot, other than the colour of it, there's no signs of it hurting him.

He's been to the vets, I've gotten hibbiescrub and some oatmeal based shampoo, as recommended by the folks at pet shop, and I've also gotten a natural rub in waxy type stuff, it seems to be working but only temporarily.

lewis

This is what I`ve noticed under my dogs nail...Any idea what it could be?

It`s not hurting him in anyway, he does`nt limp on it, I can handle and look at it without him even flinching. He just licks it a lot....

Kamili

123shooter wrote: »

I have seen this in 2 of my dogs. It is a type of grass seed which slides down the hair and enters the skin where it will get inflamed and even go septic. I read about it once and it can lead to severe problems if left as the seed can travel through the flesh.

On my dogs I was able to see a tiny hole when the hair had been licked off and able to squeeze the seed out. In one dog there were 2 seeds.

My vet at the time said he knew of it but had never seen it in all his years.

https://www.google.ie/search?q=grass+seed+infection&rlz=1C2ASUC_enIE722IE722&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1jp_fnPTUAhUmAcAKHSFKDxcQ_AUIBigB&biw=1229&bih=589#imgrc=_

+1 on this. My now passed Pom had this issue and ended up having to have his toe amputated. The seed will travel right through the flesh and towards the bone - where in his case, it caused infection in the bone itself.

He then had to wear little booties to keep his paw clean when recovering.

In some cases it can go right through and out the other side without hitting bone, and the entry and exit paths are teeny tiny.

seamus

lewis wrote: »

This is what I`ve noticed under my dogs nail...Any idea what it could be?

It`s not hurting him in anyway, he does`nt limp on it, I can handle and look at it without him even flinching. He just licks it a lot....

Dogs often groom their nails/claws with their teeth like some other mammals, including humans. So he might just be recognising that something is amiss and is poking at it.

Looks to me like a bit of overgrown nail bed, not something to be concerned about.

That nail could use a trim though, so no harm to take him to the vet, get the nail(s) trimmed as ask the vet about it at the same time.

JulesInKy

Max (golden/lab cross) began licking his forepaw a little. I paid no attention. A little became a lot. I examined his paw and saw nothing out of the ordinary. A lot became constant. Examined again and noticed raw pink areas on the padding and webbing. There was no smell. Visit to the vet and we came home with antibiotics and Malaseb. One week later and no improvement, in fact poor Max was limping and his other forepaw was now showing the same signs. Back to the vet. This time we left with Vetscrub and anti-fungal tablets. Three days later no licking and skin much improved. Ten days later completely healed. I wash his paws once per week now with the Vetscrub just to be safe. Should be noted that Max is prone to allergic itch and is on Apoquel to help with that, although not related to the fungal infection.

tk123

lewis wrote: »

This is what I`ve noticed under my dogs nail...Any idea what it could be?

It`s not hurting him in anyway, he does`nt limp on it, I can handle and look at it without him even flinching. He just licks it a lot....

He has a bit of a yeast problem - the orange/dark red fur on his paws and you can see it on his nails too.

lewis

tk123 wrote: »

lewis wrote: »

This is what I`ve noticed under my dogs nail...Any idea what it could be?

It`s not hurting him in anyway, he does`nt limp on it, I can handle and look at it without him even flinching. He just licks it a lot....

He has a bit of a yeast problem - the orange/dark red fur on his paws and you can see it on his nails too.

I've changed his food, thinking that would solve it, along with the likes of products that are meant to clear up the discolouration..

tk123

lewis wrote: »

I've changed his food, thinking that would solve it, along with the likes of products that are meant to clear up the discolouration..

I think you need to bathe the paws? I'm sure somebody with more experience would be able to advise. My girl has a red/orange patch on her neck - we thought at one stage it was the dye off her collar lol but nope it's yeast. I have a soft harness I put on her after she's had a paddle so I can take her collar off and make sure her neck dries otherwise she can get a hotspot there.

lewis

tk123 wrote: »

lewis wrote: »

I've changed his food, thinking that would solve it, along with the likes of products that are meant to clear up the discolouration..

I think you need to bathe the paws? I'm sure somebody with more experience would be able to advise. My girl has a red/orange patch on her neck - we thought at one stage it was the dye off her collar lol but nope it's yeast. I have a soft harness I put on her after she's had a paddle so I can take her collar off and make sure her neck dries otherwise she can get a hotspot there.

Oh I've bathed his paws.. Just maybe not enough.. Its frustrating.

tk123

lewis wrote: »

Oh I've bathed his paws.. Just maybe not enough.. Its frustrating.

Yeah my other guy got a cyst on his paw.. I wouldn't call it an interdigital cyst because it was more on top than between the toes. No amount of bathing or poultice or potions shrunk it and it wasn't bothering him so the vet decided we'd just keep an eye on it (he'd had biopsies on it).. About the one year mark it was just annoying him and affecting how he walked so it had to be removed.. there was all hair inside it apparently - I didn't get a look at it lol

JulesInKy

Perhaps if you've exhausted all the more basic remedies available via the pet shop, you might consider a visit to the vet?

lewis

JulesInKy wrote: »

Perhaps if you've exhausted all the more basic remedies available via the pet shop, you might consider a visit to the vet?

I think I might do, just wanted to rule out anything that I could to before I went to the vet.

DBB

tk123 wrote: »

He has a bit of a yeast problem - the orange/dark red fur on his paws and you can see it on his nails too.

Could be a chicken and egg situation though tk... There's a fresh nail growing under the old nail. It could be that he's licking at this because it feels weird, and THAT has set up the yeast proliferation?

lewis

DBB wrote: »

tk123 wrote: »

He has a bit of a yeast problem - the orange/dark red fur on his paws and you can see it on his nails too.

Could be a chicken and egg situation though tk... There's a fresh nail growing under the old nail. It could be that he's licking at this because it feels weird, and THAT has set up the yeast proliferation?

Possible..

Chicken and egg?

There food was Acana Senior Dry Dog Food for a while, then I moved to Wolf of Wilderness Adult "Blue River" - Salmon.

DBB

Ooohhhh, sorry Lewis... I used the expression to mean "which came first, the chicken or the egg?", as in, is he licking his paw and causing the yeast infection, or has he a yeast infection which is causing the licking?!
Not diet related. Sorry for the confusion