Angela_96

Molly the pup has been digging away at her tops of her back feet, they are literally bare and red? She has no fleas, etc and this is a dog that will jump in a tub full of water where she loves bathtime so I am stumped?
I do know that on weekends we do leave her in the crate (which she has gotten to where she goes in during the day w/ the door to it open when we are home for an "escape" from the kids) so I don't know if the feet thing is a nervous tick that she has?
Or could she be allergic to something I am using in the house?

She is due for her second round of puppy shots and has to see the vet in the next week, so I do plan to address this with them asap, In the mean time I thought about using the doggie hydrocortisone? We had a cat that was allergic to everything that it worked wonders for. SHe has no other spots on her, and I am not using any flea meds on her where she is so young in fact I bathe her in tearless hypoallergenic baby shampoo.

I am just really stumped, and worried about her!

fins

some dogs get whats called hot spots ...when you take her to the vet..he can give you ointment for her...

Bede

A call or a trip to the vet is what I would do.

One of our dogs has allergies that act up in the fall. She'll start licking the bottoms of her feet for hours. I talked to my vet about it and now we give her Benedryl when she needs it.

HTH.

cognizant

I never heard of a dog having hot spots on the pads of their feet, but I have heard of them having hot spots everywhere else. I would definately ask the vet out that and allergies as well.

sirdarksol

This doesn't sound like the pads, it sounds like the "bridge" of the foot. It may be nervous tick, it may be allergy, it may be that, for some reason, the spot just really itches (the protrusion on the outside of my left ankle just always itches).
I agree with the statement that a trip to the vet is in order. They'll be able to examine for any problems and will be able to give you some ideas on how to deal with it.

Red1313

When I was growing up our dog had that problem but it was with his front feet. They were always raw. I don't remeber if we ever figured out what caused it. He was albino though so he might have just been sensative.

Annadvn

Hi,

Is your pup a nervous type?

I wouldn't use any hydrocortisone unless prescribed by the vet as it has many side effects that are bad for your pup. The vet will only use it if the results will out weigh the side effects.

Does she have any other bald patches coming any where else, one hting im thinking of is Demodex mite, its most common in puppies and is sort of genetic although its not (although not in genes - if the mother dog suffered from them as a pup then her pups will too)

I recommend getting it checked out when she has the next round of vaccinations.

Anna

gremlin

what food is she getting? Usually itchiness on the feet is the first sign of allergies. Two of my sisters have dogs that are allergic to soybean hulls (used in beneful healthy weight formula dog food). Both of them developed red itchy rash spots, one on her belly, the other on her feet. A lot of dogs have food allergies. It could also be an allergy to fertilizer or insecticide sprayed on the lawn or at a park she's been to.

It could also be boredom. If she is crated for long periods of time with nothing to do, she may just be chewing her feet out of boredom, which caused a skin infection, which makes them itch, which makes her chew them even more...

The vet should be able to tell you if there is any infection and should be able to check for allergies.

fishchick

It maybe allergies , but im not a vet , so I would as your vet about it!

shih-tzu mom

Hi: it could also be a bacteria of the feet a vet call is nesseccary lol possible allergy as well bella

Amanda

It's most likely an allergy. My mother worked for a vet for 3 yrs. and I worked at a kennel for 7 - and it's common. It's just determining the allergy. The most common is food. The vet will most likely put your pup on Z/D perscription diet. Easily treatable.

Angela_96

Actually I changed her doggie food a few months back and she doesn't have the issue anymore...
I should have posted an update, she is doing great now!

Amanda

That's great!
Simple little things can make a big difference. My Pit Bull was allergic to EVERYTHING. Constantly biting at himself, lol. He was like taking care of a baby.

Angela_96

Its strange how it does help, the Vet told me to switch the dog food, she was more worried about her eating catfood, there is no way to keep her from it. My cat weighs 30lbs and she cannot jump to get food so we have to leave it in the floor for her.
Luckily though I switched her to an indoor formula w/ greens in it and it doesn't bother Molly when she sneaks a snack.

gremlin

I'm glad to hear that you seem to have found the problem. Just out of curiosity, what food was she eating, and what did you switch her to?

Angela_96

It was a brand that I bought at petsmart, it was formulated for puppies (15.00 for a small bag) I honestly cannot remember, she east kibbles and bits now.

gremlin

Kibbles and Bits is good. I mix about 4-5 different foods together for my pup and Kibbles and Bits is one. I also use Beneful and a couple of others.

shih-tzu mom

Glad to hear puppy is doing well i know it was an old post-but figured at sometime you would read it lol bella