Ask The Vet: What can I do about my dog’s itchy paws?

Ask the Vet is a new weekly series by Dr. Devon B. Smith, a Baltimore veterinarian who is an associate at Madonna Veterinary Clinic in White Hall and the daughter of Sun co-owner David Smith. Send your pet questions and photos to vet@baltsun.com.

I adopted my beagle-Jack Russell mix dog a few years ago. She is an energetic, delightful addition to my family. The problem is she licks her front paws a lot during the day, even during the winter months when she is inside most of the time. My vet says it could be allergies to grass that could be causing her paws to itch. Is there anything I can give her to alleviate the itching or whatever it is that is causing her to lick her paws so much?

— Joanne Correll, Westminster

Thank you, Joanne, for the question regarding your Jack Russell’s itchy paws. During the blooming spring season, which is what makes me love Maryland so much, many of my clients have the exact same concern.

One of the common causes of itchy paws in our canine patients can be allergies resulting in atopic dermatitis or atopy. Often, pet owners think that allergies in animals are similar to allergies in people, meaning an itchy nose or eyes, congestion and maybe a sore throat. However, in dogs, allergies tend to result in itchy paws, itchy ears, an itchy belly and an itchy bum!

So, what’s to be done?

While many of my client’s first thoughts are to try over-the-counter human allergy medications, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), these tend to be less impactful than medications formulated specifically for a dog’s immune system.

Generally, there are two common therapies to manage allergies and itchiness in dogs. One is an injection that is given monthly and the other is a pill given twice daily to start and then reduced to once daily for maintenance. Your vet can recommend one, factoring in the cost, ease of administration and efficacy for your pet.

Potential complications to itchy paws are secondary yeast and/or bacterial infections, caused by a breakdown of the skin’s barriers due to incessant licking or chewing.

This is another reason it’s important to have your pet evaluated by your vet. By seeing your pup in person, your vet will be able to perform an exam and determine if there are any secondary infections that may also need to be addressed. Once a secondary infection has taken hold, simply stopping the allergic itchiness with allergy medication likely won’t be enough to resolve the issue.

While we’ve focused heavily on atopic dermatitis, other forms of allergies, like allergies to food, can also cause identical clinical signs and should always be considered in cases like the one you’re dealing with, especially if the clinical signs are year-round rather than seasonal.

It is also important that your pet is receiving flea and tick prevention year-round because these pesky bugs can also cause all sorts of itching and irritation. If you’ve been to your vet and you’re still pulling your hair out over what to do, consulting a veterinary dermatologist may be the best next step.

Pet profiles: Spartan

Our dog, Spartan, is now 8 years old. He was rescued from the Lonely Hearts Rescue when he was an 8-week-old puppy. We can’t believe how fast eight years goes. We’re told he is part Australian Shepherd and part Husky, but he sure pulls like a Husky.

— Jack and Sharon Powers, Jarrettsville