Cocker Spaniel chewing feet

Question
QUESTION: We adopted a buff colored male cocker in Dec. of last year.  He is between 6 - 7, because he was abandoned and a rescue we had no health history at all.  He is such an awesome fellow....mild mannered and very sweet.  We fell in love with him at sight.  When we got him he was extremely overweight..46 lbs.  By walking alot and extremely careful diet...we have him down to 33-34 lbs.  That is where our vet suggested he should be.  He chewed on his feet (no hair loss or bleeding at all), the vet tried a steroid of some kind and that did nothing.  Then he suggested we put him on a grain-free diet.  So we had him on NAtural Balance Venison and SweetPotatoe and have recently switched to the SweetPotatoe and Chicken. He gets 3/4 cup twice a day.  He loves fresh fruit and vegetables and so his treats are mostly baby carrots cut into small pieces.   We still have had much chewing on the feet.  About 2 weeks ago I started using a cream called MiraPaw and put that on at night with little socks....so no more chewing at night at all and he leaves the socks on.  Seems to love it when I put the MiraPaw on his pads and rub them.  I think he is better....still is chewing some during the day and evening. Someone said it can take months for something to really help this and that it could also be a habit now and might never go away. Could I try benedryl?  Do you have any other suggestions or tips?
He has some ear issues as well...the vet said it was a yeast infection and gave us Mometamax.  Which seemed to help for a while, but we've had to do a couple of series.  Might have been my fault for not keeping his ears clean enough. (I am new at this)   At the suggestion of a friend I am now doing a NaturVet EarWash with Tea Tree Oil every 3rd night or so and if I am consistent with that it seems to keep his ears looking healthy and I don't see much shaking his head or scratching the ears.  I'm wondering if you think this is a good solution or is there something better I should do.

ANSWER: Hi Ruth,
First of all, be stingy with carrots...they're loaded with sugar.  Try some fresh green beans
or asparagus, zucchini.

His paws are undoubtedly yeast and I'm glad the MiraPaw is helping and would like to know what is in it?  You can also try dipping his paws into half water/half plain white vinegar.  I've used a large pan outside..pick him up..stick all 4 paws in..count to 5 and let him go.
Yeast cannot live in an acidic environment.  Do this 3 times a day and see what happens.

And absolutely yes, try an antihistimine.  I suggest Zyrtec (not Zytrec-D...the D means decongestant).  10 mg. tablets and give one a day.  This is a very successful antihistimine with dogs but give it a week since they don't react as quickly as we do.

Now for food - I'd stay away from Sweet Potatoe since it also is loaded with sugar.  I do suggest Innova EVO red meat large bites.  California Natural Lamb & Rice (large bites) and Wellness CORE.  Mix proteins..don't stick to one.  Like us, they need a variety.

Ears:  Strongly suggest ordering some Zymox (I use EntirelyPets.com) but there are many sites.
They have a cleaner and two different meds.

The cleaner you use as any cleaner.  The meds (one is with hydrocortisone and one Hydrocortisone Free) are meant to stay in the canal so you just wipe the outer ear.

If you decide to give that a shot (very successful treatment), order it and then talk to me.
I'm thinking he probably only needs the cleaner & the Hydrocortisone-Free med.  Definitely worth a try.

And please tell me how you're cleaning his ears.  Are you filling the canal, "smooshing" the ear flap, lettting him shake his head and then going down the canal with a cotton pad?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm sorry...it is
DermaPaw not MiraPaw.  It contains sage oil, lavender oil, vitamin e, evening primrose oil, cod liver oil, chamomile oil, petrolatum and beeswax.  
When I wash his ears I have been wiping them clean first and then putting the wash in and smooshing around and then of course he shake his head and it goes all over :).  After the shakes I have used soft cotton clothes that that I throw in the wash and reuse.  I am careful to not get to deep but dry all that I can reach with my finger and the cloth.

I will look into the the Zymox and will do the Zyrtec.
We will also check into the different food....does the extra sugar cause the yeast problems to be worse?  Besides of course adding calories....I have been very careful to weigh him regularly so we maintain this weight.  We are in Minnesota and heading into winter and it will be more difficult to walk the long walks that he loves and we are doing now.

Answer
I think it's better to use a square or round cotton pad.  Roll it tightly into a funnel shape which will allow you to push it safely down his ear canal.  Never use a Q tip.

Do give the Zyrtec for a week - it works about 40% of the time.

The DermaPaw sounds okay but in addition, I'd do the vinegar/water 5 second soak.

And yes, sugar does encourage yeast.

If you decide to try the Zymox, order it and talk to me before beginning.