Persistant Paw Licking!

[Danielle]

My dog has been licking her left paw quite vigorously for a couple of weeks now. But, I can't seem to see any sort of abrasion or cut. It's not even red or swollen, yet she still keeps licking at it as if something was irritating her or hurting. Does anyone know why she might be doing this? She has a lot of attention all throughout the day so it's definitely not a separation anxiety thing. Lately, however I've been going through an emotional time and have been quite tense and unnerved and I wonder if she's picked up this licking as a sort of "sympathy nervous reaction" from me. Is that possible? I don't know, it's just a thought. Then I wondered if maybe something is hurting her on her bone and that she's licking it to soothe the pain. Of course that's something I can't see so I'm totally in the dark as to why this is going on. Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated!

 

[avenlee]

Has she gotten her nails clipped recently? She could be licking because they are too long and need clipping or because she just had them clipped and just irritated a bit.

 

[Debi]

Have you spread open her paws to check between her 'toes'? My Addie was doing that...and at first look, the paws looked fine. But inbetween was very red and I suspected she was licking because they itched....didn't seem to be painful. I gave her some benedryl and put Neosporin on for a few days...also have been slowly changing their diet. I didn't want to take her to the vet because he would have just given her a shot of cortisone and probably antibiotics. She seems fine now. This happened to her once before...and in winter. It may have been like a 'chapped' skin...made worse by her licking.

 

[EliNHunter]

If symptoms look like what Debi posted, could be allergies (but weird it would be just one paw). How old is your baby? Could be arthritus or an injury. They lick where they hurt. My golden, Eli, had arthritus (mild) but he always licked his paws and there was hardly any hair on the tops of them. We called them his "Baldy Paws". He was on arthritus medicine, too...
Amy + Hunter

 

[Renee750il]

You might want to check out the recipe that Canine Therapies posted in another thread. http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17855

 

[Danielle]

Hmm.. thanks for all the suggestions. She gets her nails clipped quite frequently so I don't think it has anything to do with that. I have looked all over and in between her toes and haven't noticed any cuts, abrasions, redness or swelling. The part of the foot she's mostly licking is the side of the foot where the "thumb" is (you know the nail that is no longer there!) and it is getting a little balder than normal. My dog is only just over 2 years so I hadn't really thought of arthritis as being a cause. But, she has always been quite weak on that foot so maybe she is licking cos of pain or injury. Is there any way of figuring this out without having to go through all sorts of tests and x-rays? Can dogs get arthritis early on in life? Or are there other things that can lead to having weak legs?

 

[smkie]

could be allergy...to something in your carpet or your yard.Bronki had a spot on his foreleg that he began licking,,until it became an ugly redish, pinkish lump. the vet called it something that I cannot remember, I am sorry..somehthing loma..they didn't know the exact cause, a bit of nerves firing causing a sensation, or a persistant prickling but they did have a medicine that stopped it and he stopped licking and the spot went away. The licking was what caused first the bald spot and then the tissue to thicken up..so if it continues, u might want a vet trip.

 

[Renee750il]

Is it where she had dewclaws removed?

 

[Danielle]

YES. It's right around that area. This is what I've deduced anyway by watching her. Why do you ask? Is it common or cause for concern??

 

[smkie]

the thing bronki had was a granularloma...i think or something very close to that. The licking will cause one to form if she does it persistantly...I even though the vet gave me med and said not to cover it, I was desperate to make him quit. He licked off their medicine the second I turned my back so i took a light layer of guaze and sprayed it with bitter apple. That allowed the air in and not heat up their med, while giving everything time to work. I'll bet it is a funky nerve firing. Have you asked your vet yet? I am curious.

 

[Danielle]

I have not yet seen the vet. I wasn't sure if this was something to be concerned about or maybe it was just a nervous thing and since I can't see anything obviously red or swollen, I haven't been as anxious to go to the vet. Besides, I have had numerous vet visits over the past few months that have resulted in many unanswered questions (for other ailments) yet it cost me an arm and a leg. I was just hoping that someone on the board might have some suggestions before I seek out a vet. However, maybe I should just keep an eye on it until I suspect it's becoming more serious of an issue.

 

[smkie]

you should see if there is a humane society branch around you. They provide a non profit vet service with a 5 dollar office call. I couldn't afford my dogs if I had to pay what the reg vets are charging now. The Humane soceity is a bit of drive about 20 minutes but the savings is incredible. I hope there is.