For three days Pongo has been licking and licking and LICKING at his rear left foot. I can't see anything wrong with it, and there is no sign of a limp. Any ideas?
Look at it very closely. Are there any raw areas or any signs of swelling or pus? Personally I'd go to the vet. Something is seriously irritating his foot and the constant licking will not be helping it.
I'd get him checked even if you have scrutinized it and can't see anything....my Mum's Irish Setter had an awful sore paw earlier in the year ....she'd been all over him with a torch and a mgnifying glass and couldn't see the sore bit that was bothering him.The kicking is telling you something...hope it's nothing too untoward x
Maybe try some wound guard to stop him licking at it and see if that helps to clear it up? Otherwise it's a vet trip
Could be an interdigital cyst, but I guess you could have seen that. Maybe a tiny thorn in there? Best idea is a trip to the vet.
Very strange! I would pop him to the vets to get them to look - he could have a thorn or something in there.
Symmetrical lupoid Onychodystrophy starts with mysterious licking of the, then nails start to fall off. Are his nails becoming brittle mis shaped or shiney with licking. Check for all the normal things like injury etc but watch out for nails falling off and starting to smell. Its not a condition many vets recognise. Its unusual hard to treat and very painful for the dog. Does he want not to walk or does he seem to have sore feet? Is he licking all the time? the presure in the toes caused by this condition causes licking because it is so painful. More than likely its not this but keep a look out out aways starts with one foot and spreads. My dog lost every nail and was in agony for months. They can lick so much they damage the nails feet and pads. I used to have to hold his feet all night so he could lick when it was as it worst. sorry it most likely not this but is worth being aware as many vets aren't
I've only just seen your post about Harley's pad - poor girl! Of course, that is the answer, Pongo is on foot-licking solidarity campaign for his sweetheart. He's still at it - absolutely no sign of discomfort when he walks, no reluctance to run, just spending a couple of hours each day licking between his toes. It is only one foot, and in fact I think only one toe. I'm going to take him to the vets tomorrow for them to have a look. If only they could talk......!
Took him to the vet today and she found that his nail bed is inflamed..... whether that is the cause of the licking or caused by the licking is a moot point. Anyway, he has a SOCK to wear (he is not impressed) and a combination of antibiotics and steroids. I'm not really happy about the steroids, last time he had a steroid injection it made him very jumpy and scared for a couple of days (pitiful, especially in such a big boy) so I've tried to avoid steroids since then; but vet is adamant that they will really help, so I'm giving it a go. Poor pup, he looks a lot less happy now than he did before I took him in! But I'm sure it's right to get it all cleared up as fast as possible. When he has settled down this evening I'll take the sock off to let the wound breathe, then put it back on overnight. At least he gets his pills wrapped in cheese, so he thinks that is good.
Glad he's got some meds to help. I wouldn't take the sock off, unless you really think his foot can't breathe through it. If he keeps licking at it then invest in big plastic cone, big enough to extend past his front feet when he's lying down. That's the only way to really stop foot licking and allow healing. Hope he is feeling much better soon!!
OH poor boy. At least a problem gas been identified and is being treated. Hope his paw is all better soon. Juno sends licks to help it heal
Poor Pongo, he must be feeling pretty rotten at the moment. If it will cheer him up, tell him I've got a HUGE walk for him to try, but only when he's up to it.
