Excessive Licking

Question
We adopted a 2 year old male Bernese Mountain mix (55 lbs) about 2 months ago who has had at least 2 previous owners.  Since just before getting him, he was being treated for an allergy which was causing him to lick and gnaw at his front paws (mostly his right) to the point he could not walk on it.  We have since treated him with an e-collar, foot wipes (steroidal), and Temaril-P tablets which helped heal the paws but after removing the collar the licking and biting renewed with vigor. Now, our vet has him taking Amitriptyline at 25 mg twice a day while working up to 100mg. We had to re-institute the collar because every unsupervised moment he has is licking at his paw or sleeping.  Now, he seems to be constantly licking his nose and it, too, is beginning to show signs of irritation, as well as being able to adjust to lick his back foot.  Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Answer
This licking may have become an habitual behavior or it may be the result of an allergic response to something in the environment or the food.  Your veterinarian should have given you special food designed to avoid allergic response.  The Amitriptyline may very well be unnecessary and may be heightening anxiety which is worsening the licking behavior.  Find another veterinarian, have stool and blood work (including any blood work to identify allergens).