[april]

Can someone please help me.  My dog has been having these reoccuring issues with her paws for a little while.  I talked to my vet and they told me it was possibly something in her diet or an allergy to grass??

Attached is a picture.  She gets these things in between her toes that will swell up in one day to a very large size then it goes away after a few days.  It's killing me that she keeps getting these things and I can't get a definitive answer on what is the cause of this problem and a definitive answer on how to cure/fix/heal these things.  

PLEASE HELP ME!

-J

 

[Sadiesmomma]

OUCH! that looks like it hurts...poor girl   ..I have no advice for you, but wanted to say welcome to the forums. I'm sure someone here will be able to help you out. Hope she gets better soon!

 

[AbbyandBrady]

Abby has had a few of those too!!!! We have been fighting a food allergy with her of some sort although I never tied the two things together. Each time, we mix of the antiseptic solution and warm water.  She is very good about letting us soak it for her and we try to soak it a couple times a day for a few minutes.  After the first or second time, we see it start to shrink.  I also add a touch of antibiotic cream to it before she goes in her crate when we leave for work.  I can't do it any other time because Brady starts licking at it...

I will be curious to see what responses you get as I have not known the cause either.

 

[AbbyandBrady]

Is she sensitive to it? Abby doesn't appear as though they bother her too much. She's not a fan of us prodding at it (I always look for slivers, etc) but otherwise, she ignores it.  So at least it doesn't seem painful for her.

By the way...also, if she won't let her hold it in the solution, try making a compress with it...wrap a very wet mix of the antiseptic and warm water washclothe around it, then wrap that in a dry towel.

I didn't get this info from a vey by the way....this is just what we have noticed seems to help a lot for Abby when she gets them.

 

[Barbs2Ks]

My pit bull was allergic to something in the woods and got sores between his toes but not quite as big as that.  It seemed to be seasonal and only happened when we walked in the woods and not on lawns.  The vet gave him a shot of something (can't remember) but it made him pee and he couldn't control it so they didn't give him any more shots. He stopped getting it when we moved from Alabama back to WI so I was sure that it was allergies.   Someone else may have some other ideas.

 

[sharonL]

Welcome to the Forum.......I have printed out a pic of the foot.  I have an idea of what it and what causes it but let me double check some things at work tomorrow and compare this photo to a (skin issue) book I have and then I will let you know what I find tomorrow after lunch.....

 

[tootsie]

Poor baby.    My guess would have been an allergy to something as well. I am battling foot itchies as well, but nothing quite severe as you. Maybe try soaking the foot in epsom salt. Is it possible that something is biting her paws like ants or spiders. Maybe some benadryl would help.  :?
Has the vet aspirated that to do a biopsy on it just to rule out a tumor or any other health issue.
I'm sorry I'm not much help, but good luck figuring this out.  :wink:

 

[Kate]

Poor girl it really looks painful and I'm sorry I have never seen anything like that.  Welcome to the Forum and I'm sure Sharon will have an answer for you tomorrow!

 

[sharonL]

Okay I had some time to check on this tonight.

I feel it is a (Interdigital Cyst)  This is a deep tissue pyoderma (skin infection).  Inflammatory fluids are forced into the tissues, rather than being discharged on the surface.  Interdigital cysts are characterized as a firm, nodular thickening of the interdigital web.  They are chronic in nature (come back).  The only way to "get rid of them" is to find the underlying cause.  This search can consist of skin scrapings, bacterial cultures and sensitivity tests.  

The number one cause is infection with staph or ingrown hairs.  The cyst can be removed under general anesthesia followed up by appropriate antibiotics, but be aware that it can come back in the same place or in a different foot web.

They can be eleviated, if only temporarily, by home treatment.  The following is an outline of successful home treatment.  

1) Thoroughly clean the area.
2) Soak the paw in warm water with Epsom Salts.
3) Do not allow the dog to drink the water.
4) Soak for approximately 10 minutes.
5) Dry area thoroughly.
6) apply Panalog ointment to the area.  ** Preparation H works GREAT!!!!!*******
7) repeat daily until swelling has been gone. Usually 2 to 3 days

hope that helps.....

 

[AbbyandBrady]

Interesting! Thank you! I see ingrown hairs and staph could cause them...do you have any thoughts on it being allergy related?

 

[sharonL]

Interesting! Thank you! I see ingrown hairs and staph could cause them...do you have any thoughts on it being allergy related?

Yes I guess I feel that it could also be allergy....they suggest to do a test (vet books). The problem with that is with allergy testing they come back allergic to so many things....It is hard to narrow it down.....I personally do not feel they are food allergy though.

 

[Guest]

Wow...there should be a whole field of dermatology for dogs, lol

 

[april]

Wow!  Thank you all for your responses.  I will definitely try your suggestion Sharon.  I hope I can get this under control.  Thank you so much!

I will let you know things progress!

-J

PS - abbyandbrady - yes she is sensitive to it and starts to limp on that foot and avoids putting pressure on it when it gets too big :-(  I hate when these things come around!

 

[sharonL]

Wow...there should be a whole field of dermatology for dogs, lol

There is.....you sometimes can find a specialist in your area.....sometimes have to visit a Vet School to find one...

If they are painful and she limps on it alot of times it is better to go in and let them drain it...It does help it to heal much faster, but the main thing is getting the pressure off.....If you will also keep a list/note/mark the calendar when one comes up it will sometimes help you get a pattern to it....and help locate the cause!

 

[april]

I've been meaning to post back on this issue for a few weeks now.  Thank you all for your advice and recommendations.  Her little feet are back to normal and have been for while.  It seems the problem has been solved for now.  Thank you!!

 

[tootsie]

Great News! I'm glad her paws are back to normal. Did you ever figure out what it was?