Paw Pad Chewing - YorkieTalk.com Forums

aqeuous18 · 09-16-2010, 07:04 PM

So, I had surgery done a few weeks ago and was on bed rest for 2 weeks and unable to lift anything for the 3rd week. During this time Wookie had to spend more time in his crate than usual due to my fiance being the only one that could take him out.

He hadn't been groomed in a while, so when I was cleared to lift him I started his groom. I went to shave his paw pads and saw that his pads were very inflamed and puffy. He usually has a lot of hair to shave out and he had none. Also on 2 of his feet he has hair loss that goes up along his "ankle" area on the back. He doesn't have hair loss or dandruff anywhere else on his body. Not even the top of his feet.

I am guessing he picked this habit up from boredom or maybe anxiety? He does have a few other obsessive issues. He has a vet appointment tomorrow just to be sure. I bought Hydro cortisone spray and they look less inflamed. I have been catching him licking them, so I put an e-collar on him. He gets really depressed with it on, so can anyone recommend anything else I can do to get him to stop licking? He likes the taste of Bitter Apple or any other Bitter spray. Anyone else have the boredom issue and any tips on how to break the habit?

Reese1 · 09-17-2010, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqeuous18

So, I had surgery done a few weeks ago and was on bed rest for 2 weeks and unable to lift anything for the 3rd week. During this time Wookie had to spend more time in his crate than usual due to my fiance being the only one that could take him out.

He hadn't been groomed in a while, so when I was cleared to lift him I started his groom. I went to shave his paw pads and saw that his pads were very inflamed and puffy. He usually has a lot of hair to shave out and he had none. Also on 2 of his feet he has hair loss that goes up along his "ankle" area on the back. He doesn't have hair loss or dandruff anywhere else on his body. Not even the top of his feet.

I am guessing he picked this habit up from boredom or maybe anxiety? He does have a few other obsessive issues. He has a vet appointment tomorrow just to be sure. I bought Hydro cortisone spray and they look less inflamed. I have been catching him licking them, so I put an e-collar on him. He gets really depressed with it on, so can anyone recommend anything else I can do to get him to stop licking? He likes the taste of Bitter Apple or any other Bitter spray. Anyone else have the boredom issue and any tips on how to break the habit?

Is it possible it could be a food allergy or a reaction to a shampoo/grooming product that's been used?
I know that Wrigley has an allergy to chicken and started chewing her paws when we fed that.
We also have to be careful with the grooming products we use for the same reason.
Let us know what the vet says!

aqeuous18 · 09-17-2010, 07:04 PM

Well, the vet gave me some medicated wipes to use on him twice a day along with the hydro cortisone spray. He has to wear a cone at night when he's in his crate. His feet already look better from Monday. The swelling as gone way down.

I haven't changed his food recently or gave him anything new. I don't think it was an allergy to grooming products because he hadn't been groomed in 3 weeks. I still am thinking it was a boredom thing. We're going to give it 10 days to see how it looks. If they are drastically improving then we won't move to the next step of treating him with medication. I'm hoping for the best. I went through allergy issues with my other dog and it took us months, a dozen different kinds of food, a dozen different kinds of treats, a crap ton of Benadryl, and a lot of e-collar time to get him to stop licking and biting himself. >_>

AllDogBoots · 09-17-2010, 07:24 PM

I'm sorry Wookie is going through this. Aside from an e-collar to prevent gnawing at his paws, you may want to consider, protective dog boots. I carry indoor boots that are very breathable, comfortable and can be worn for long periods of time.

Feel free to take a look here: http://www.alldogboots.com/Mesh-Summ...-p/ssmblue.htm

You can also see them here in a customer photo: Napolean's Allergy Relief

It would be so helpful to know if it's an allergy or if it's a behavioral issue. These things are so difficult to deal with, as you know with your other dog.

Leigh22 · 09-17-2010, 07:56 PM

It sounds like its just allergies. It could be something simple like a grass allergy. I wouldn't worry too much.

chris09 · 09-17-2010, 08:36 PM

It could also be that the long hair that grows between his toes was bothering him. I know my last dog would chew his. I've also noticed that jenny chews on her nails, but this is very seldom and I tell her to quit and she does. So its not as bad as your problem.

09-16-2010, 07:04 PM	#1
aqeuous18 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Western NY Posts: 231	Paw Pad Chewing So, I had surgery done a few weeks ago and was on bed rest for 2 weeks and unable to lift anything for the 3rd week. During this time Wookie had to spend more time in his crate than usual due to my fiance being the only one that could take him out. He hadn't been groomed in a while, so when I was cleared to lift him I started his groom. I went to shave his paw pads and saw that his pads were very inflamed and puffy. He usually has a lot of hair to shave out and he had none. Also on 2 of his feet he has hair loss that goes up along his "ankle" area on the back. He doesn't have hair loss or dandruff anywhere else on his body. Not even the top of his feet. I am guessing he picked this habit up from boredom or maybe anxiety? He does have a few other obsessive issues. He has a vet appointment tomorrow just to be sure. I bought Hydro cortisone spray and they look less inflamed. I have been catching him licking them, so I put an e-collar on him. He gets really depressed with it on, so can anyone recommend anything else I can do to get him to stop licking? He likes the taste of Bitter Apple or any other Bitter spray. Anyone else have the boredom issue and any tips on how to break the habit? __________________ Kelly and Wookie Have you hugged your groomer today?

09-17-2010, 07:04 PM	#3
aqeuous18 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Western NY Posts: 231	Well, the vet gave me some medicated wipes to use on him twice a day along with the hydro cortisone spray. He has to wear a cone at night when he's in his crate. His feet already look better from Monday. The swelling as gone way down. I haven't changed his food recently or gave him anything new. I don't think it was an allergy to grooming products because he hadn't been groomed in 3 weeks. I still am thinking it was a boredom thing. We're going to give it 10 days to see how it looks. If they are drastically improving then we won't move to the next step of treating him with medication. I'm hoping for the best. I went through allergy issues with my other dog and it took us months, a dozen different kinds of food, a dozen different kinds of treats, a crap ton of Benadryl, and a lot of e-collar time to get him to stop licking and biting himself. >_> __________________ Kelly and Wookie Have you hugged your groomer today?

09-17-2010, 07:24 PM	#4
AllDogBoots Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 7,984	I'm sorry Wookie is going through this. Aside from an e-collar to prevent gnawing at his paws, you may want to consider, protective dog boots. I carry indoor boots that are very breathable, comfortable and can be worn for long periods of time. Feel free to take a look here: http://www.alldogboots.com/Mesh-Summ...-p/ssmblue.htm You can also see them here in a customer photo: Napolean's Allergy Relief It would be so helpful to know if it's an allergy or if it's a behavioral issue. These things are so difficult to deal with, as you know with your other dog. __________________ I'm Karen - Devoted Mama to the Drama Boyz - Cooper & Max www.alldogboots.com Last edited by AllDogBoots; 09-17-2010 at 07:25 PM.

09-17-2010, 07:56 PM	#5
Leigh22 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sumter, SC Posts: 124	allergies? It sounds like its just allergies. It could be something simple like a grass allergy. I wouldn't worry too much. __________________ "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."

09-17-2010, 08:36 PM	#6
chris09 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lexington, Ky, USA Posts: 44	It could also be that the long hair that grows between his toes was bothering him. I know my last dog would chew his. I've also noticed that jenny chews on her nails, but this is very seldom and I tell her to quit and she does. So its not as bad as your problem.