My dog has itchy, inflamed paws and scabs. Is it yeast or pyoderma?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be due to allergies and a yeast infection is possible. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Good question. I recommend washing and soaking her feet in an antifungal shampoo, or a dilute iodine solution (that may cause fur discoloration). I would do this once daily for a week or so. If it’s not improving please take her on for an exam. They may do skin cytology to determine if it’s yeast only or if there is bacteria or mites adding to the problem. Then they can give the appropriate oral medication to clear this up. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Roxy.

In your second picture it does look like Val might have a skin growth that could be a papilloma or wart, or might be something like an adenoma. I doubt that is the ultimate cause of her signs since both legs are affected. Her toes look red and I'd be suspicious of a secondary bacterial or fungal infection. Mites are possible and would show up on a skin scrape. Allergies might also be triggering these recurrent infections. I wouldn't recommend any home treatments especially since this is recurrent - I'd recommend talking to your vet to see what they would recommend as the next step.

Hi the main similarity is that they can both affect paws. However, hypercheratosis is not a fungal infection in can be genetically inherited and it is common in certain breeds such as Labradors Retrievers and affects the pads. Fungal infection is mostly found inbetween the pads and it is mostly caused by Malassetia, a yeast that is normally present on skin but that can overgrow in certain circumstances. To treat the Yest infection you could use a dog shampoo called Malaseb, or bathe Bruno’s paws in diluted Hibiscrub ( Chlorexidine )which I think you should be able to find in India too. Bathing should be done for 1-2 weeks twice a day in diluted solution of 1:20. Hope this helps !

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! I think you might have meant to attach a picture, it not that would help! Bacterial and yeast infections are common causes of pododermatitis (infections of the feet). They can even be present together. You can try soaking her feet in Epsom salts or use a medicated shampoo on her feet three times per week and leave the lather on for 10 mins before rinsing. If there is no improvement in 2 weeks she should be examined by a Vet. I wish Paris the best! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27307

It is possible we could have yeast or bacteria here. The only way to tell for certain is to do what is called a cytology on the area. Your vet can take a sample (they may use a piece of tape or press a microscope slide directly on the skin) and look at it under the microscope. They can then determine if we have infection present and treat appropriately.

It looks like he also has a bacterial skin infection. You could soak his paws in a warm Epsom salt solution and also bathe him with an anti microbial dog shampoo but he probably needs some prescription medications, too. Schedule an appointment with your vet for treatment.