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So I've been to all sorts of vets and none can figure this out, one told me the licking might be due to being nervous around the new baby but it has been almost 2 years and he doesn't seem to be stopping. He is 8 years old and licks his paws constantly, which drives my wife crazy. Taken him to a dermatologist and regular vets and nothing has come of it. He has free access to the backyard and we go on an hour long walk twice a week, more in the winter, because the vet suggested the licking might be due to boredom. In the last 6 months he has developed a horrid smell that bathing only seems to cure for about 12 hours, seriously he smells like burnt rubber or something terrible like that. I don't know what else to try as we have used prescription shampoos and everything on the store shelves, and even tried to leave it alone for a little bit to see if we were washing him too often maybe.
Our yellow lab licks her feet that way when not exercised enough and she is older. If possible I would increase the walking to every day. With our dogs, the dog food we feed them and any kind of treat can cause the dog to smell. We found a dog food that works and will stick with it.
Just recently, we tried a new food. The smell in the house was terrible. I then remembered this happened in the past. Threw that away and ordered the one we always used and now they smell, well like dogs but don't smell bad.
Does he lick his paws after a meal? That might be food allergies. Does he lick his paws when he is alone? It could be boredom, behavioral, or just one of those dogs that grew an obsession of doing something repeatedly.
If it's food allergies, is there any corn or grain in it? Some dogs are allergic to beef. Are you feeding wet or dry?
About the smell, have your dog anal glands been checked? Dental checked? If you have been bathing and the smell returns every time, stop bathing. It's not the hair. It's something else more persistent.
So I've been to all sorts of vets and none can figure this out, one told me the licking might be due to being nervous around the new baby but it has been almost 2 years and he doesn't seem to be stopping. He is 8 years old and licks his paws constantly, which drives my wife crazy. Taken him to a dermatologist and regular vets and nothing has come of it. He has free access to the backyard and we go on an hour long walk twice a week, more in the winter, because the vet suggested the licking might be due to boredom. In the last 6 months he has developed a horrid smell that bathing only seems to cure for about 12 hours, seriously he smells like burnt rubber or something terrible like that. I don't know what else to try as we have used prescription shampoos and everything on the store shelves, and even tried to leave it alone for a little bit to see if we were washing him too often maybe.
So what happened 2 years ago that triggered the itching?
I would use a comprehensive approach that as much as possible addresses all possible allergens.
Stop bathing- can make it worse and clearly isn't helping. If you feel you need to do something then just rinse with cool/cold water and pat dry.
Possible allergens could be environmental, food, or a combination.
I would put on a limited ingredient diet; Nature's Variety Instinct and Honest Kitchen are both good.
Take pup to another vet, preferably one who takes a holistic approach. Not all vets are equally knowledgeable, so sometimes it can take awhile to find the right one. As well, very few vets are well-versed in allergies.
Stop using chemicals on carpet or floors. Use vinegar/water solution for floors and spot clean carpets with mix of water/liquid laundry detergent then blot up. Switch to a hypo-allergenic laundry detergent.
Stop using any fertilizer or weed killer on yard.
Don't forget that our dogs have four bare paws that come into contact with everything you put on your floors, bedding, and yard, so something fairly innocuous such as floor cleaner could be causing the itching which is then compounded when pup then ingests allergen through his licking....
About 2 years ago we switched his food from regular to senior of the same brand and had a baby almost two years ago but the smell started before both of those things. We have moved twice since then and have replaced all of his bedding, he doesn't sleep in ours, because the vet said it might be an allergy to something. I started washing his stuff in hypoallergenic detergent with no change. We don't use weed killer or fertilizer in the yard and we don't use chemicals on the floor, we steam the hard floors and the carpets here are about 6 months old and before that there was no carpet. Anal glands and teeth were done recently by the vet, I get his teeth done once a year. I have stopped bathing him about 2 months now and the smell doesn't get worse but it isn't getting better.
As for the licking it is all the time, it might be boredom but all 3 of us, wife son and myself, are home all day so he couldn't be lonely. It is hard to get him out at all as he seems to hates going outside and will go under the bed when I get the leash out. He wont even follow me outside without a leash he sits at the door waiting for me to come back in.
I will try to switch his food and find a holistic vet, though I don't even know how to find one honestly.
Can you describe the smell at all? Is it like rancid corn chips? Mine get yeast on their feet all the time (this causes constant licking) and it takes regular wiping with these wipes to keep it under control : Amazon.com: MalAKet Wipes by DermaPet (50 ct)
Sounds like the dogs in Pain! & the licking is causing a Fungus infection. A Baby Asprin 12 hours & Iodine spray is my suggestion. Make sure you watch Every stool for blood. In winter Katie get 1 am & PM n summer only 1 PM...some times none but she limps on one or the other leg not both seem to bother her at the same time But If you watch which leg hes licking that to might give you an idea which is hurting.
About 2 years ago we switched his food from regular to senior of the same brand and had a baby almost two years ago but the smell started before both of those things. We have moved twice since then and have replaced all of his bedding, he doesn't sleep in ours, because the vet said it might be an allergy to something. I started washing his stuff in hypoallergenic detergent with no change. We don't use weed killer or fertilizer in the yard and we don't use chemicals on the floor, we steam the hard floors and the carpets here are about 6 months old and before that there was no carpet. Anal glands and teeth were done recently by the vet, I get his teeth done once a year. I have stopped bathing him about 2 months now and the smell doesn't get worse but it isn't getting better.
As for the licking it is all the time, it might be boredom but all 3 of us, wife son and myself, are home all day so he couldn't be lonely. It is hard to get him out at all as he seems to hates going outside and will go under the bed when I get the leash out. He wont even follow me outside without a leash he sits at the door waiting for me to come back in.
I will try to switch his food and find a holistic vet, though I don't even know how to find one honestly.
It sounds like you have tried a lot of different avenues to get your pup relief.
Your handle says you are in Phoenix. I did a Google search for vet + acupuncture for Phoenix. A couple of different vets came up. The link I posted below is one who reminds me of my own house call vet, but I certainly have no knowledge of her other than what is on the website, and you have many different vets to choose from: Tabitha Thompson DVM CVA - Holistic Veterinarian Phoenix AZ
I would suggest a vet who has gone all the way to holistic, and not just a regular vet who does acupuncture, but again that is just my preference.
About the food, you want to try a food that has as few ingredients as possible, and ideally with a novel protein that your pup hasn't run into before. For us this was rabbit, but there are others. Your pup is small enough that you could even try Stella and Chewy's Freeze-dried rabbit patties which are on the pricey side, but your dog is small enough that it shouldn't be cost prohibitive, and is certainly cheaper than continual vet bills without getting any results.
Good luck.
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But If you watch which leg hes licking that to might give you an idea which is hurting.
