Westy Annual Foot Allergy

Question
Each year at about this time my Westy develops an allergy on all of her feet.  This lasts up to two months.  She spends a lot of time chewing at her paws which become red and swollen.  The condition then goes away on its own and her feet return to normal.  What might we do to give her some relief?
Thank you

Answer
Almost all Westies have allergies, which shows up on the feet.  Ask your vet for a short course of cortisone to help relieve the itching during this period of high allergen load.  You can also spray the feet with something to kill yeasts, which usually live between the toes.  Bathing the dog regularly to remove the allergens helps also.