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Offline Karenbee

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biting feet
« on: October 13, 2013, 08:42:54 PM »
Hi everyone,

I have a working cocker spaniel, a year and 3 months old.  Ever since we got him he has bitten and licked his feet causing them to bleed, splay and he has even bitten off the toe nail. I have been to two different vets about it and no one can work out why. He is on anti inflammatory tablets and steroids and has been on them from a young age which is not ideal but the vet seems to think it is necessary. He will not leave his foot alone and has to wear a cone most of the time to stop him nibbling at it and obsessively licking it. Vet seems to think he has an auto-immune disease or a contact allergy. we give him Benadryl which doesn't make a difference. He has had a biopsy (came back clear) and touches no other foot but his back left. Any one else have a dog that does this?it breaks my heart to see him like this and always have to put a cone on him.

Thanks everyone.

Karen
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Offline MaggieR

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Re: biting feet
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2013, 08:48:06 PM »
Its always been the same foot?  They can react that way to pain - not necessarily in that exact spot  :-\  Might be worth looking at an holistic vet who looks at the whole animal rather than just the sympton?  Do the meds give any relief? 
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Offline HBP

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Re: biting feet
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2013, 09:09:03 PM »
What autoimmune disease did the vet think he had?

Could the cause be psychological? I know animals bite/ scratch as a displacement activity when nervous/ upset.

I hope you find some answers here, you sound like you're at the end of your tether :-(
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Offline lesley3165

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Re: biting feet
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2013, 09:20:10 PM »
We had a border collie who used to nibble her front paw to the extent of it being raw and bleeding. She too had to wear a cone to stop her but she was so depressed with it on. We ended up bandaging the paw which she left alone long enough for it to heal. However soon after she started nibbling again and it was a vicious circle. We never got to the bottom of why she did it so I do hope someone can offer you some advice.
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Offline JennyBee

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Re: biting feet
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2013, 09:29:56 PM »
Poor boy. Have they done any allergy tests? If they aren't finding anything I would suggest asking to be referred to a skin specialist - expensive but worth it to get to the bottom of things.
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Offline MIN

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Re: biting feet
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2013, 09:32:27 PM »
one of our staffies did this. she ended up with a pink foot :huh: we never found out why, just kept trying to discourage her
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Offline Karenbee

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Re: biting feet
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2013, 09:39:20 PM »
It has always been the same foot.  He doesn't bother with the front paws and very occasionally he will nibble the back right if the back left is bandaged up and unreachable but it is no where near as bad as the back left. We have tried bandaging paw or  putting a sock on it but he always bites through it. Bitter apple spray doesn't work and he has a tendency to headbutt the wall to move the cone down his neck a bit more so he can reach his foot! He is obsessed with it.  No amount of chew toys, play, walks to burn off excess energy seems to work. It has healed before (after a long time and sellotaping two cones together to make a mega cone)but he just goes and munches on it again until it is raw and bleeding. It may be psychological as I THINK he started doing it when I started a new job so was out of the house more. Will try the holistic vet. Thanks for the advice everyone.
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Offline HBP

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Re: biting feet
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2013, 10:08:25 PM »
It sounds almost like an OCD. Like a habit he just can't break. I'm sure if it were immune mediated, the steroids etc would have sorted it. Good luck to you both X
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Offline Archie bean

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Re: biting feet
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2013, 10:17:25 PM »
Poor you. This must be so frustrating for both you and your poor boy. I don't have any experience but have been having a bit of a google and found this.

http://www.dogpawlicking.com/home.html

You've probably read it all and it is sponsored by a product called dermapaw but just in case I thought I'd share it.
Also, what is he fed on? I believe some foods can cause skin irritation? Something grain-free might be something to consider if you haven't already.
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