Chewing her feet

Question
I got Nikki, a German Shepherd, when she was 8wks. old. She is now almost 2yrs. old. One year ago they did her hips, a triple pelvie osteotomy (just so you know, in case this is important). I took her to the vet Jan. 24, 2007 for chewing on her feet. They took cultures and prescriped Betagen Topical Spray, Cytology IH, and Ketoconazole tablets. The chewing returned and I noticed bloody pawns and when I got her to the vet she had also been gnawing her nails. This time they put her on a strict diet, HA by Purina, and prescriped Cephalexin caps and Ketoconazole again. I came home and took all her chews and food away. Gave her the new food, HA. It is now 5 evenings later and she still hasn't eaten. I can't handle this straving anymore. Please offer, me any advise. I would sure welcome some help that won't cost me a fortune.
Thanks, Dianna

Answer
Hello, This is a common problem in dogs of all breeds...sadly. I have to ask one question thou and its why did you take away her toys? Wouldnt you think if she had toys and ropes/kongs and nyla bones and rawhides to chew one she wouldnt chew her feet? Also worse comes to worse buy a cone from the vet or petsmart and keep her coned until she relizes she can't be allowed to chew her feet. Cones arent cruel and most are now avalible in see through colors or just plain clean or frosted.... the dog can still eat and drink with a proper sized cone on and after the first day shouldnt hit into any furniture or legs. I see no reason for sure a sudden diet change the foot chewing isnt going to be remied by changing foods you need to correct her frimly when shes bothering her feet....apply a bitter or strong tasting liquid to her feet(dont do this if shes still healing open wounds)...if its been five days and your sure she hasnt eatten do try offering her something else. As long as you can keep her from bothering her feet too much via using a cone when your not tehre to watch her and keep using anything persribed to heal her feet...if you can get her healed you can then use tabasco sauce/bitter apple gels/sprays/viniger on her feet to deter her from them.... whatever is used must taste very hot/spicy or strong/bitter to keep her from licking it off them hurting herself again. Also keeping her occupied during the healing prossess and for the rest of her life is very nessairy. Take long walks daily, offer pelenty of deffiernt types of toys and chews, feed a varied diet, spend as much time with her as possible and if you see her picking at her feet after they are healed correct her either by yelling no...crating her(coned of course) or just plain coning her or you can put something on her lower legs/feet(sprays/sauces). Basicly keep her well occupied some dogs may start this out of bordem....as a last option if you feel you really havent the time mentioned above to spend with her maybe consider getting her a play mate...another dog in puppy form or try to arrange with a friend or neighber to let the dogs play together a few times a week if the two dogs get along well. Best of luck with Nikki I do hope what I advised will be of some help.