Rusty color on cockers paws & legs

Question
QUESTION: We recently adopted a five year old blue roan cocker from a rescue. He has a lovely personality and good behavior. His legs are mostly white fur with a bit of black but they have some discoloration of browny red on the paws and up the legs. Worse on the paws. Makes them look dirty. I think it may be from licking but he doesn't lick all the time just does some, he scratches moderately from time to time. I took him to the vet and he is in good health. No ear infection at this time but I know he was recently treated for one. The vet suggested teeth cleaning would be beneficial with perhaps one or two possible extractions needed.
I believe he has been eating Natural Choice food, although I don't know the name for sure. The foster mother gave us a large baggie full. We've only had him two days so I'll have to get more food soon- any suggestions?  

I would appreciate advice on how to remove the rusty colored stains and future prevention.
Best regards,
Diane

ANSWER: Sounds like your boy has a bit of a yeast problem.
You say he scratches "moderately" - how much is that?
How is his skin and does he have any odor?  Any rash like areas?

What I'd do is bath him using Nizoral shampoo (any drugstore/most supermarkets carry it).
SHAKE BOTTLE WELL, lather him up, leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse extremely well.
Then rinse more..then more.  Never use hot water - just warm and finish off with a cool rinse.

To help the paw issue, get a large pan & fill with half water/half plain white vinegar.
Dip his paws - count to 5 and let him go.  Do daily.

Natural Choice isn't a premium food and nor do I think an all kibble diet is good but since you've only had him two days I'd hesitate to change food too quickly.  But you could buy some Merrick canned and add a bit more each day.  I also like Sojo's Complete which is a raw, dehydrated food.  Don't be shocked by the price for an 8 lb bag because that 8 lb bag makes about 50 lbs. of food.

To treat & prevent ear problems I highly recommend the Zymox line of ear products and I can tell you where to order (not expensive) and how & when to use.

When he's settled, get him used to having his teeth brushed.
Delores



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

QUESTION: Thanks Delores, I'll look for the shampoo and am interested in the Zymox line of ear products and would like more information on ordering and use. Some additional information I didn't connect when I sent the first e-mail. Chance also has same discoloration around the edges of his mouth.  He also has irritation and some pinpoints of pus/infection in the folds just below the lower lip. It smelled somewhat but not horrible. After I cleaned with peroxide and rinsed it is better but still raw looking. I think it will need additional/longer treatment to cure. Do you think he could have bacterial and yeast infections originating from the same sores? My previous cocker had infections in the same area and it took me a long time to clear it up. I ended up using Hibicleans(may be spelled wrong) very carefully in those areas. I see no evidence of rashes or other odd skin issues on his paws. He scratches, licks about 10 times a day, so it's not constant but more often than the other cocker we adopted at the same time. The vet said his skin looked good although didn't address the sore areas by his mouth.

I will order some Sojo food to try. Right now Chance is eating Nature's Variety Prairie- Salmon flavor. We just started this.I also just started giving him Zyrtec. A little less than 1/2 tablet in a.m. and same in p.m. Do you think that is appropriate to control scratching, licking?

Thanks for your help.
Diane

Answer
I order Zymox from EntirelyPets.com but I know other sites have it also.

You'll need the cleaner (use as you would any cleaner)
and the Zymox Otic Hydrocortisone-Free medication.

Now take note here -
1.  Do not mix Zymox with any other product.
2.  The cleaner you swab out of the ear canal - the med you do NOT!  

What I do if I see an ear issue is to clean daily for 2 or 3 days.  Often that'll take care of it.  Then clean every other day for a couple of days.  If it's not all clear, go to the med.
You fill the canal - massage ears - let dog shake head.  Then just wipe excess off inner ear flap.  Do daily for 7 days.  Do not clean ears while treating.  On day 8 - clean and see what's happening.  This product is genius and will save you a ton of money at the vet.  I wouldn't be without it.

Now the lip fold problem.  Mix a little container of half water/half white vinegar.  Take a little cloth, dip in mixture and clean those folds.  With another little cloth, dry.
Do this frequently for awhile until you see it's clearing.  But if he has deep folds you may have to do it once a day always.  See if that helps (it should) and if not, I have another product - actually by Zymox - that I can recommend.  And brush his teeth - clean folds afterwards.  Keep those folds clean & dry.

Zyrtec:  Yes, for the first day use 1/2 of a 10 mg. tablet (Plain Zyrtec - not Zyrtec D (decongestant).  If all is well, go to one whole 10 mg. tablet daily.  See if there's improvement (and paw licking is a huge sign of an inhalant allergy) and let me know.  Depending on his weight and the visible improvement we "might" be able to increase it slightly.  Do not do this on your own - talk to me first.

If you try the Sojo's COMPLETE (not the mix) go slow and start with one or two spoonfuls.
Increase daily if all is well.

Keep in touch - things usually need fine tuning :)