Bit of a scare today

[Bluebell]

Cupar displayed the same behaviour after nettle stings !!!! Running around ,up and down stairs, biting and scraping his paws and generally going mad. This has happened on 2 occassions but the old Piriton settled him.

I was going to suggest this too, piriton and a footwash with a mild bicarb solution 
Poor Harry

[jobartlett]

Can you give dogs Piriton?  I didn't realise that.  Great to know!

[8 Hairy Feet]

Yes you can!
Always Piriton not Piriteze,
also don't tell the Pharmacist
it's for your dog as they won't sell
it to you
steffxxx

[Neon]

Toby displayed the same symptoms last spring (about 12 months old and plenty of road walking too).  He had been running in a patch of waste land when suddenly started biting his paws and going mad.  I had read about nettle stings on here and thought it must be that, even though his paws looked fine.  Rang the vet who advised one Piriton but if he was no better after two hours to bring him to the surgery.  Less than an hour later, he was fine but it was so distressing to see him like that.

[jonnytrabant]

Piriton. Never heard of it, but a quick search shows its for humans?  He's awake after a further sleep, but still crying a bit and generally looks worse for wear. He's had a couple of his little sausage which he loves but is ignoring his Pizzle stick, which he adores.

I never thought of where he was walking, he gets a lot of pavement walking and I personally think/thought his paws were toughening up nicely. Like I say, we went our normal route on the pavement, then onto a gravel/cinder track which he's been on loads, daily even. Then we went along a country path which is just hard mud, if you can call it, then he had a bit rummage through some bushes and generally through the thicket, I followed and everything was fine. There was absolutely nothing I thought I should have been aware of. We then walked across a farmers field because we couldn't get round because of a lake caused by the recent rainfall. I wonder if there was any pesticides on it??? It's got me thinking now.

Any advice on bathing his paws? Warm soapy water? Detol? Or just see how he goes?

Saying that he's just jumped off the sofa and is eating his previously mention Pizzle, nowt like a good chew for Cockers eh?

[Bibby]

I would imagine the field had been sprayed  Piriton is fine for dogs, excellent for allergic reactions to things like wasp stings etc

[jonnytrabant]

Well he's had his lunch, scoffed the lot which I am certainly glad and he seems to be walking fine, though I use the term loosely as he's still crying a lot, not 'iam in agony' crying just a very high pitched 'discomfort' cry. He's not gnawing at his paws as much but still is occasionally. It's like he can't settle. Took him into the garden for a wee, which he duly obliged, so no problems there. so I think the best course of action is to just wait and see.

[JeffD]

It really does sound like nettle stings, all my dogs have had this at some time. They tend to build up immunity as the shooting season progresses and their pads get harder after a summer lay off.

[Patp]

Definitely sounds like something he has walked through.

Jinley had a wasp sting when she was about 4 months old and the vet told me to give her a piriton.

You could try putting a drop of vinegar into the water if you soak his feet.

Pat

[Joules]

Does sound like something he has walked on to me - maybe nettles, thistles or some sort of pesticide    I would def give his paws a wash in some warm soapy water - you could put a bit of bicarb or salt in it too.  I doubt it is due to overwalking - doesn't sound the right sort of reaction

Piriton is OK for dogs (it is used in humans for allergies, hay fever etc) - you can give a child's dose 

[jonnytrabant]

Well, they say, times a great healer and even though it's only been about 4 hours since he had his injection, the difference is amazing. He's stopped crying and is happily chewing on his Pizzle. Importantly he's not gnawing on his paws, whether or not this lasts. My vet said ' he would be fine this afternoon' and true to his word, fingers and paws crossed Harry looks ok. So whether it was nettles, pesticides, stings, ant bites or like the vet said swollen paws, i guess ill never know  one things certain hes not going anywhere near that field or shrubs any time soon. OH gets in soon, obviously I've kept her informed, I am sure she's not gonna believe the afternoon I've had 

Thanks for all the concerns folks, it does help to bounce some thoughts off.

[Bibby]

So pleased to hear that Harry has perked up - great news!

[Jonnydog]

Poor little Harry! Glad to hear he's on the mend. We had a similar experience with Jess a couple of years ago and concluded it must be nettles. It's awful when you can't help them, isn't it?

[Nicola]

It really does sound like nettle stings, all my dogs have had this at some time. They tend to build up immunity as the shooting season progresses and their pads get harder after a summer lay off.

I agree, it sounds like a reaction to nettle stings, nettly paws will drive a lot of dogs mad and they do the frantic flinging themselves randomly around, rubbing on the floor, biting at their paws thing. Rodaidh went through a lot of nettles on the first shoot we went to this season and was going absolutely crazy with his feet and face afterwards the poor boy, he was face surfing along the gravel drive when we got back to the gamekeeper's house because he'd been stung around his eyes and nose. I'd given him piriton in advance and gave him another dose when we got back but it took a few hours for him to settle down, the first shoot is always like that then he toughens up again and the frost kills off the worst of the nettles. It can be quite alarming the first time you see them do it as it can be an extreme reaction.

[HelenS]

It really does sound like nettle stings, all my dogs have had this at some time. They tend to build up immunity as the shooting season progresses and their pads get harder after a summer lay off.

I agree, it sounds like a reaction to nettle stings, nettly paws will drive a lot of dogs mad and they do the frantic flinging themselves randomly around, rubbing on the floor, biting at their paws thing. Rodaidh went through a lot of nettles on the first shoot we went to this season and was going absolutely crazy with his feet and face afterwards the poor boy, he was face surfing along the gravel drive when we got back to the gamekeeper's house because he'd been stung around his eyes and nose. I'd given him piriton in advance and gave him another dose when we got back but it took a few hours for him to settle down, the first shoot is always like that then he toughens up again and the frost kills off the worst of the nettles. It can be quite alarming the first time you see them do it as it can be an extreme reaction.

Totally agree   First time Cupar got stung it was so distressing to watch him...Phoned the vet who said yep nettle stings, give him Piriton and.... Miricle Cure within a coupe of hours The second time it happened and he started the running around surfing the carpet etc we knew exactly what it was. Now I always keep Piriton in the house and if we go away its first to go in his box.  Id always use it firstline for symptoms like that and might just save an expensive visit to the vet for injections etc.