feet problems

Question
My dog always sems to have a skin condition flair up in the summer months. Ive had her to the vets numerous times but they are unable to tell me what it is. She gets a red rash, odd puss spots and and has her skin red raw and patch with scratching. I know this could be attributed to many things but am so far at a loss as to how to help her or even ease the itching. She always chews at her paws, not just a nibble but a rough gnawing and I didnt know whether this is the same problem or something unrelated. Last night she chewed the whole pad off one of her feet, a deep wad of skin from the whole of her pad and is now having great trouble walikng. She has taken it this far once before, again the vets being unable to tell me what is going on. Any help or advice would be great as she is obviously in a great deal of discomfort. Thanks

Answer
Hello Lynsey -

This can really be many, many things but what concerns me is that she is gnawing at the pads of her feet.

The skin and paws can be a severe allergy to environemental factors that occur only in the summer. I am hesistant to say it may be something more severe because she does not have these lesions any other time of the year. If you take your pet back to the vet, have them run a test for Lupus. There is a possibility she may have this condition due to the description of the lesions and gnawing at the feet you have informed me of. Without really seeing your pet I cannot be as accurate as I would like to be in helping you.

For the time being first begin by adding Garlic powder to your pet's food. Garlic is anti-microbial and helps to fight and kill bacteria and infection should it be present. This is a good measure to take should there be anything present in her system. Don't be afraid to sprinkle it with a heavy hand, dogs love Garlic and she should eat it up right away. The only draw back to adding Garlic to the food is flatulence. It may be a little stinky but the Garlic is doing its job by pushing the bacteria through the system and by doing an internal cleanse. Just keep a couple clothes pins handy! This is a safe and effective methd and can be used long term.

To heal up the lesions you may want to try wiping the lesion first with Witch Hazel and then applying Tea Tree Oil. The Tea Tree Oil will act as an antiseptic by deeply cleansing the lesion which will allow for faster healing. By soothing the lesions this should reduce the urge to scratch.  

For the pads of her feet, first wash with Witch Hazel and then apply Aloe Vera Gel. Even if your pet licks the Aloe Vera off, it work just as effectively from the inside. Aloe has a good reptuation of healing external body ailments from the inside out. This will also help to soften the pads a little bit and will reduce the itch.   

Try changing her food to an all natural brand such as Nutro. This brand can be found in most pet stores,is very nutritious and fairly priced. She may have an allergy to something in her food that becomes irritated in the heat.

Your pet may also be getting very bad hot spots. Hot spots are circular lesions, usually found on the head, over the hip and along the side of the chest. They will be moist, raw, inflamed and hairless, and can be quite painful. Animals usually lick, bite or scratch the area, and thus irritate the inflamed skin even more. In fact, hot spots are sometimes called 'pyotraumatic dermatitis' because the self-trauma is a major factor in the development of hot spots. The lesions are rare in the colder temperatures of winter. They occur in equal frequency in both inside and outside dogs. Many dogs develop several of these lesions over the course of their lives. However, this is not a long-term disease. A lesion will suddenly appear, be treated and be gone in less than a week Another lesion will suddenly appear later the same summer, the next year or never be seen again on that dog. Follow the suggestions above for basic treatment. I make a remedy for hot spots that works very well in treating and supressing reoccurences.

I hope this information has helped you and your pet.

If you would like information on natural and herbal remedies for human or animal concerns please contact me at  wintersaurora@yahoo.com and I will be happy to assist you. I also offer a catalog of home made herbal remedies which I would be happy to send to you as well.

Thank you and best wishes to you and your pet. Please keep me posted on your pets condition, if there are any changes please let me now and I will do my best to help you heal your pet naturally.

Sincerely,
Sharon Hubbs, AHG
Certified Natural Health Consultant & Herbalist