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Post by ladyarya on Dec 29, 2005 6:12:43 GMT -5
I've noticed lately that Boo has been licking his front left paw almost obsessively. It's only the one paw, so I'm thinking it's not an allergy and that there's something wrong with his paw. I took him to the vet and the doctor said "he probably just has a cut. It should go away on its own". He also prescribed antibiotics because Boo had an ear infection from swimming. Well the antibiotics seemed to help his foot somewhat, so I figured hey, it's just a cut, no biggie. Well he's licking like a mad man again. I've done a very thorough check and I can't find anything wrong with it - other than it being red from his constant licking. I put some hot spot/first aid medication on it and a little antibiotic ointment just to be on the safe side, but I'm drawing a blank on what else this could be. His problem seems to be only between his toes. Any ideas?
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Post by sibemom on Dec 29, 2005 8:04:45 GMT -5
I think Loey had that problem with Kerra and if I remember correctly there was something in her foot even though on a visual check you could'nt see anything. It could be a bruise, or it still could be an allergy, but I don't know. Loey had told me about an article involving GOUT and dogs, your dog is awfully young but then again Gout affects even children. I would talk to your vet again and see what he has to say considering he is still licking the area.
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Post by willow on Dec 29, 2005 9:37:57 GMT -5
Yes, I had the same problem 3 times with Kara and had her to two different Vets and a Vet tech, who all checked her for something in her foot...which they and I thought it was. The last Vet dug around in her foot looking for whatever it was and couldn't find anything, and took xrays etc....nothing. She was put on anti-biotics and prednisone each time and in a few days it went away...only to return again from a couple of weeks to several months later.
The last time she started licking/limping on the same foot again I knew it could not be because she stepped on something again, and my sister half jokingly said that maybe she had gout, so I looked it up and I am convinced that is what she has had.
I also found a website that said Apple Cider Vinegar "cures" it, so I started mixing it in some plain non-fat yogurt and in a few days she was as good as new! I gave Kara, who weighs about 50#, 2 tsp. in 2-3 Tlbs. of the yogurt. The ACV has to be the "raw", unfiltered kind with the "mother" in it. The brand I get is Braggs.
There is also a drug you can get from your Vet, but I also read that most of the time it goes away spontaneously in several days, although each time Kara had it it was longer than that.
Also, gout is not "caused" from eating rich foods, red meat etc. From what I read, there is an underlying problem with the kidneys, which causes uric acid to build up, which causes crystals to form and it is usually always the toes, ankle, top or bottom of the foot etc. Kara's was between her toes and on the bottom of her foot behind her toes.
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by ladyarya on Jan 5, 2006 11:05:55 GMT -5
Ugh.. gout! That doesn't sound like much fun at all. I took him to a new vet (I wasn't overly thrilled with my last one, so I'm trying to find one that doesn't make me at every diagnosis) and he gave me Bactoderm. It's been a few days and there seems to be a bit of an improvement, but not sure if it's fully working or not. I'll give it a little more time. In the mean time I also tried using one of those antiseptic/antibacterial/antifungal sprays (the name escapes me) and some organic calamine/aloe lotion to help stop the itch. Seems to be ok, except he's not overly thrilled with wearing a sock (It's breathable.. just a kids tube sock... but otherwise he licks the medication off and that's just not helping at all ) Also, when I took him to the vet I had mentioned that Boo had an ear infection and that the vet game me (along with the antibiotics) baytrilotic. He asked me why I hadn't put that on his foot since it's an antibacterial/antifungal. Honestly, it just never occured to me. Has anyone heard of this before? Seems like it would be safe to try...
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