and was getting worse, so she saw the Vet yesterday. She has a pretty bad infection between her paw pads. So we're loaded up with antibiotics, sprays, and prednisone (she has an ear infection as well)....to the tune of $300. Sigh!
Anyways, she has always chewed her paws a lot. I have tried several different premium foods, thinking it must be an allergy, but nothing has helped. That must be how this infection came about. Anyone know how expensive allergy testing is? Or a good food for allergies?
Java had been limping
Re: Java had been limping
Curious, what did the $300 cover?
Can you refresh my memory, was a cytology or immunological profile ever sent out for fungal or viral disease?
You could try any of the veterinary prescribed hypoallergenic diets, but they should be given up to 4-6 weeks to expect any change or improvement. Try to opt for one that has novel proteins that Java hasn't been exposed to prior.
I'm not sure about how valid allergy testing would be, you can certainly ask your vet for his opinion and experience with them.
Can you refresh my memory, was a cytology or immunological profile ever sent out for fungal or viral disease?
You could try any of the veterinary prescribed hypoallergenic diets, but they should be given up to 4-6 weeks to expect any change or improvement. Try to opt for one that has novel proteins that Java hasn't been exposed to prior.
I'm not sure about how valid allergy testing would be, you can certainly ask your vet for his opinion and experience with them.
..........Traci
Re: Java had been limping
We charge about $300 for the regional inhalent allergy panel (allergy elisa on blood). Not everyone things these are accurate, but for the most part the dogs seem to do well with the desensitization injections. Intradermal skin testing can also be done by a dermatologist.
JMM -- JaMi Maltese -- Dust Mops with Drive
Re: Java had been limping
No, he didn't do any testing on it, but I suppose if this doesn't work, he will.
The medications ran about $160 (3 weeks of Clavamox)....the whole bill was actually $400, but she had all her vax, HW test, etc. I think this Vet is a little steep, but he is close by, good, and the only one in town who is AAHA.
The medications ran about $160 (3 weeks of Clavamox)....the whole bill was actually $400, but she had all her vax, HW test, etc. I think this Vet is a little steep, but he is close by, good, and the only one in town who is AAHA.
Re: Java had been limping
something i learnt years ago on dogs that chew their feet..had the clients rub under arm deodorant on the feet...it apparantly tastes so bad that they stop chewing...probably not related to your case but just a sicde line.
Re: Java had been limping
You could accomplish the same thing with Bitter Apple, although I wouldn't spray it on an open lesion or wound (ouch)...(it's best to be used on bandages so the dog can't rip off a bandage covering a healing wound)
Marty, ask your vet about dipping the paws in a solution of betadyne and water once or twice a day.
Marty, ask your vet about dipping the paws in a solution of betadyne and water once or twice a day.
..........Traci
The betadyne dip sounds like a good idea (probably as good as the Betagen spray that was $38) I will ask.
Davet, the deodorant idea is food for thought. I'm just thinking that if you put that on, the dog won't chew, but still may itch. Think I need to figure out why she chews so much. I am very sure it is not boredom related.
She is doing better after 48 hrs of treatment...putting weight on that foot again, but gingerly. She's a trooper!
Davet, the deodorant idea is food for thought. I'm just thinking that if you put that on, the dog won't chew, but still may itch. Think I need to figure out why she chews so much. I am very sure it is not boredom related.
She is doing better after 48 hrs of treatment...putting weight on that foot again, but gingerly. She's a trooper!
Re: Java had been limping
That was supposed to be 38 dollars.......
Re: Java had been limping
Marty, dogs are like kids and some adults...they get a little itch and then scratch and keep zcrathiong untill it becomes a habit...something that will break that cycle will sometime erase the original problem...Obviously this idea is not for a sever long going on itcvh but is like stopping akkid from sucking the thumb in the beginning...although sucking the thumb is not a big deal but sever paw chewing can ble
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CrystalsMom
- Posts: 248
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:55 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Re: Java had been limping
This is what I've been going through with Crystal since December. My vet kept Crystal on Clavamox for 7 weeks. We had Malaseb flush and a spray. It was a whole cleansing routine that was time consuming and drove the dog nuts. Her paws and chin were affected.
I got Betadine scrub and lathered her chin up twice a day. It can get messy but it works. On the paws I used Murphy's Oil Soap diluted in water and that stopped the itching. I found that tip on a website and it worked and didn't seem to bother the dog at all (although it doesn't really sound like a good thing to use....but I was desperate and would've soaked her paws in beer if I thought it would help)
I am convinced that she is allergic to something ~ I'm not sure if it's the food or environmental. I recently changed her food over to Solid Gold (because it's wheat-corn-soy-preservative free) and I do see an improvement in her chin but not her feet yet. She was on two kibbles in the last year and both contained corn. I've racked my brains trying to single out her problem and although it's gotten better, it never really goes away. I'm hoping sooner or later I will stumble over a clue to this big mystery.
I got Betadine scrub and lathered her chin up twice a day. It can get messy but it works. On the paws I used Murphy's Oil Soap diluted in water and that stopped the itching. I found that tip on a website and it worked and didn't seem to bother the dog at all (although it doesn't really sound like a good thing to use....but I was desperate and would've soaked her paws in beer if I thought it would help)
I am convinced that she is allergic to something ~ I'm not sure if it's the food or environmental. I recently changed her food over to Solid Gold (because it's wheat-corn-soy-preservative free) and I do see an improvement in her chin but not her feet yet. She was on two kibbles in the last year and both contained corn. I've racked my brains trying to single out her problem and although it's gotten better, it never really goes away. I'm hoping sooner or later I will stumble over a clue to this big mystery.