Jean in Newcastle Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I want to start out saying that if home remedies don't work, I will definitely take my dog to the vet. He's on the cusp of maybe needing vet attention and maybe not and finances are tight. He has been licking and worrying at his back paw for the last couple of weeks. I have clipped the fur on the paw and have carefully checked it for injury and thorns. I read on the 'net that dogs can lick and chew on themselves and cause injury where there wasn't any. I don't know if this is what is going on. Last night I noticed that his paw is slightly swollen. He wouldn't let me look at it. He is not limping and is putting weight on it just fine. My plan today is to put a cone on him so that he can't keep licking the paw. I was also thinking of soaking his foot in epsom salts - is that safe for dogs? And of course looking at his paw even more closely for any problem. I'll have to leash him tightly so that I can do so. Is there anything else you might suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Epsom salts, hot water bottle...I'm thinking there's something in there, deep, that you can't see, and soaking the foot, etc, may bring it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Sound like you are doing fine to me. I would gently squeeze the foot to feel for injury or to pinpoint any swelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 try the soaks, but also try some bendryl for a few days. 1 mg per pound 2-3 times a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 try the soaks, but also try some bendryl for a few days. 1 mg per pound 2-3 times a day. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Thank you very much. I'll try all this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Benadryl is a good idea, just in case he has had a sting or bite or some other sort of allergic reaction.Even though he is putting weight on it, he could have a sprain or perhaps arthritic pain. Or maybe it started out as some kind of irritation, and the licking has become a habit. Bitter Apple spray is a good solution to the "bad habit" problem....unless you have a dog like my Duncan. For him, spraying bitter apple on something was like covering it with turkey gravy. He loved the stuff. :confused: Hope you find the cause, and your pup is okay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Could he have a splinter in it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfcartmama Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Could it be a fire ant/other type of bite? Our puppy got one on his front paw and wouldn't leave it alone. I know it was an ant bite b/c he stepped in a ant pile, but they can be anywhere in the yard, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 If you have any coconut oil handy, I smear a little on the area. It is anti-bacterial and seems to help with itching too. If he licks it he should have no adverse effects from it. Could it be as simple as a bug bite that got infected? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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