Excessive licking of feet

Question
My 9-yr old miniature Schnauzer is experiencing her third episode of excessive licking and biting of her feet in 4 weeks (the front two paws and left rear this time). My Vet treated her with an antibiotic for the first episode, which seemed to stop the behavior... for about a week. Then she started again. This time, the Vet gave her an anti-inflammatory, an antibiotic, a steroid, a foot bath solution (2X a day for about 5 days), and a cone to wear on her head. After a week, she noticeably improved, and after 10 days, she was good as new. However, she has started licking her feet AGAIN. This time it seems worse than ever. I have been bathing her feet, wrapping them in her winter booties (though she bites them off), and putting the cone on her head when I am not at home to care for her. I am also taking her for daily walks, which she seems to enjoy. (Note: she is only eating prescription dogfood, Hills g/d, as a follow-up to bladder stone surgery several years ago, and is only taking glucosamine as a supplment of any kind). In desperation, I called an animal communicator who was highly recommended. She told me that my Schnauzer has a severe problem with aching joints, in her toes, shoulders, haunches, everywhere, particular the two front feet. She also said there was an additional ailment, that of itching, which seem to come and go. She didn't believe it was allergies at all, that my pet had been treated for symptons only and not the cause. My dog continues to have a very healthy appetite, but she whimpers frequently, and keeps me up during the night by her compulsive licking. I can tell she is in great pain, and I am reluctant to take her back to the Vet, for fear he will prescribe the same protocol as before. I am very concerned that there may be something quite seriously wrong, and I am not getting the truth. Many thanks for your help!
-Anne

Answer
Yes, dogs can lick their joints if they are in pain.  I would recommend doubling the dose of Glucosamine and also add in MSM, which is a natural anti-inflammtory...you can give her 500 mg twice a day.,...as a trial and see if that helps.

Often times I will recommend Ester C, but if she had calcium stones in the past, this is a no-no.  

I would recommend starting her on digestive enzymes too, which can help allergy symptoms and arthritis symptoms as well.  Dancing paws makes a good supplement called Shake "N Zyme www.dancingpaws.com

Many times with dogs licking their feet it is due to a contact allergy...grass is the most common offender and in the fall it is usually mold from the dampness and leaves falling.  She may also have a food allergy.  Since I do not know what type of stones she had before, I do not want to make diet change recommendations.  However, many dogs with allergies do MUCH MUCH better on a fish-based diet that is free of corn, soy, meat by-products and preservatives.  Currently my one beagle is eating Verus Fish and Potato, and I have her on Atopica for allergies.

You could ask your vet to culture the paws as often times these cases will have a secondary yeast infection that will NOT clear up with antibiotics or anti-inflammatories.

Good luck,
Dr. Fry