paw chewing

Question
Our 7 1/2 old scottie chews her paws til she limps. Vet recommended selson Blue, cortaide, change of diet etc. nothing helps. We tried clove oil and temp stopped it and someone recommended tea tree oil which i read is toxic to dogs...what do we do?

Answer
Hi Steve,

Thank you for writing to me and sorry for the delay..we've had many snow storms here with loss of power.

I'm concerned about your dog's paw chewing behavior.  I don't recommend Tea Tree as it's toxic.  Be careful what you giving to your dog.  It would be best to get to what is causing the behavior.  When you changed her food..what did you change to?  Did you try a food that is grain free?  Did you try a human grade food?  Did you spend a week on fish (Origen 6 Fish or Solid Gold Fish & Potato).  How about a week or two on Nature's Logic?  I can recommend a vet that you can work on long distance.  Dr. Kruesi (google the name).  He will send you an allergy panel test and that will tell you exactly what your dog is allergic to.  

Has anyone checked to see if there is something stuck in the paw?  Something very tiny that is hard to see?

If you don't get to the heart of the matter soon, the behavior itself can continue without any particular stimulation so you do want to solve the cause of the problem.

Be sure to give your dog a lot of vigorous exercise.  Additionally, check for chemcials on the floors, rugs, garden that could be triggering a reaction.  Do not vaccinate until you find out what is causing this.

If non of these suggestions work (I do think that Dr Kruesi can help) you will need to see an allergy specialist for further testing.  

I would also recommend that you have your dog's thyroid checked.  If it is anything but center normal than Dr. Kruesi will recommend herbs to correct it.

I wish you the best of luck,

Shelley Davis