Itchy paws?

[nadine_mn]

I live in central Minnesota and every year we have had our GSD, he gets really itchy paws this time of year.

He bites his paws and rubs his face constantly and you can see red inflamed skin under the fur. It goes away by the first really hard frost I think - by October he is fine. But I know it must be awful.

We give him Benedryl and rub his paws with Mushers Secret to help act as a barrier to whatever is bothering him. We can't use a spray no-itch relief remedy on him because he is afraid of spray bottles and the sound they make. [My mom was his previous owner and used a spray bottle of water in his face whenever he barked or chewed something - he associates it with being punished. Gee maybe if she hadn't kept him locked in a kennel 12 hours a day with little to no exercise... sigh that is why we took him from her 7 yrs ago and I am still a little bitter]

His paws hurt, and I wonder if there is some remedy to rub on them that will be soothing?

[magical thyme]

1. I don't know of anything in particular

but you have a very beautiful and happy looking pup there What a smile!

[nadine_mn]

2. Thank you! Isn't he a handsome dog??

We are his 4th home - original home, GSD rescue, and then my mom.

He is the happiest and goofiest guy! I love him so much!

This is the love of his life

Jasmine is our Black Lab/Chessie mix - she is 14 (gasp - an older woman - Durango is 10). He would do anything for her - gives up comfy spots on the furniture when she gives him the "look", lets her snack on his food if she wants, stays by her side to protect her.

[shenmue]

3. Dr. Tinycat prescribes moar hugs and cuddels

[nadine_mn]

4. Can you overdose on that?

Because he insists on a minimum of 4-5 extreme cuddle sessions a day. Then of course our other dog and cat get jealous and we become a big bundle of fur rolling around.

Ever feel like your heart could just explode from cuteness and love?

[shenmue]

5. Yes!

[beac]

6. Could be mites or yeast.

You might want to have your vet check him. (Disappearing at frost makes me think mites.)

[frogmarch]

7. My vet says

that when dogs and cats start chewing their paws, it is usually a sign of allergies.

My poodle, Ty, started chewing his paws this past spring, and the vet told me to give him 2 milligrams (I guess that would be around 2/3 tsp) of liquid Children's Benadryl every morning. It worked, and it also stopped him from having one ear infection after another from fluid buildup.

[nadine_mn]

8. Pretty sure it is allergies too

he is the only pet affected and it is the same time every year.

I should try the liquid Benadryl - maybe that will go down easier. My dogs are suspicious of pills (our eldest takes about 8 a day).

Oh man an ear infection just sounds nasty - glad that helped stop them.