My Dog's Paws

[Matthew]

In the past I have posted discussions about my dog's itching, after trying to figure it out for almost 2 years I've decided it will be easier to get him an allergy test, which I'm having done on Saturday. While it is expensive, whatever it takes for him to have a lifetime of comfort is worth any price. I was filing his nails the other night when I noticed something weird about his paws. His "toes" were red, and right around where the nail goes into his feet was bloody. The nails weren't that long so I didn't think the blood could of been caused be the long nails. His skin looks very "hot", his back paws were similar too. I'd assume this has something to do with his allergies, he'll sometime lick his front paws but never his back paws, that kinda confused me. Has anyone had this experience? I was just curious

[Nelz]

In regards to 'My Dogs Paws' my boy is an incessant paw licking as well and will even chew the pads off. This happens when he walks on Wondering Dew that aweful plant that grows prolificly along fence lines, easy to pull out but hard to get rid of. Though sometimes I think he just licks out of habit because he will stop when I tell him. (not straight away but after telling him repeatedly he will get the message)
Has anyone got any ideas on how I can get my dog used to having his nails clipped. At the moment I'm not able to do that as he wont let me, he gives me warning growls and bites without hurting me.

[Nelz]

In regards to 'My Dogs Paws' my boy is an incessant paw licking as well and will even chew the pads off. This happens when he walks on Wondering Dew that aweful plant that grows prolificly along fence lines, easy to pull out but hard to get rid of. Though sometimes I think he just licks out of habit because he will stop when I tell him. (not straight away but after telling him repeatedly he will get the message).

Can anyone give me any advise as to how I can clip my dogs nails because he wont let me he even dislikes me touching his paws. He gives warning growls and warning bites without hurting me. He also will not let the vet near him is very suspicious of anything in my hands or the vets when approaching him, so is very hard to treat with drops etc.

[Matthew]

I would look into something called the pedicure. Its a filing band that doesn't cut the nails, it's not painful to the dog at all. My dog used to be the same way, he's gotten used to the pedicure, plus it saves a lot of money

[bams481]

I've thought about this, especially now that I am living back at home with my parents. Their dog has black nails, and they are afraid to cut them, and only get them cut when he is groomed...which apparently is not enough. I've been here alone with him for a week now and Im tempted to cut them but I know if they are not cut a lot, the quick is long, and I am terrified to hurt him. I thought this device would help them, but i heard its trash. But you like it huh? Its worth $20...my step mom is a spend-a-holic that is going to have a ton of money when they get back from MI on the 2nd...it wont take much to talk her into buying one lol

[Michael William Shea]

I would try what Matthew suggests the pedicure. The only thing I do not like about it is it takes a lot of time, and the dogs become inpatient, well Cal does. I try to get all 30 dogs done in one day, not a easy task. Especially, when Cal plays hide and seek. The other thing is also like the pedicure an actual tool, that grinds them down quickly. I use that the most, Cal has only one black nail all the others are white. All my other dogs have all black, I just trim a little at a time. I have them get use to it slowly, by first turning on the pedicure and then putting it against his paw, letting him feel the vibration. Then I touch his nails with my fingers, and then start the process. I usually give a bone to chew on.

[Michael William Shea]

Sorry to keep asking you questions. However I must state that a lot of dogs with separation anxiety do itch, chew, and lick themselves to the point of infection. I'm going now to go back to the beginning. You have taken your dog off corn based foods. Does your dog have dandruff? Does it move such as Cheylettia mange. Could it be mange, mites, chiggers, gnats or ringworm? Do you go to dog parks? There is a lot of nasties your dog could pick up.
Could your dog of injured it's paws trying to scratch or try to dig out at home, when you are away? It could of rubbed it's paws together, causing minimal injury trying to look for you, or escape. It could be a worm that your vet can't see. Sometimes those nasty worms do not show up until three or four blood tests. Anyway, I hope it is discovered soon.

[Michael William Shea]

Ask your vet if you could put Listerine on top of paws, the dog will not lick it then.