Why is my dog constantly licking and biting his paws? Could it be pododermatitis?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Excessive licking can be related to skin infection between the toes, skin inflammation or an allergy. A visit at your local vets is recommended to make the definite diagnosis and to start treatment for Koda. In the meantime, try and stop Koda from licking the paws as he will likely make the skin more inflamed. Using a head collar or bandage the paws (and change the bandage daily) may be necessary.

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This could just be an allergic condition, but looking at the spotty nature of the pads, I would also be concerned that this might be an auto-immune condition called pemphigus, where the lesions are often first noticed on the footpads. Since this has been ongoing for several months, & now she is showing signs of pain, it is time to have your veterinarian evaluate the pads for what is going on. Hope all is well. Take care.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! At least in the picture, there is no evidence of a mass or anything like that particularly concerning. This could potentially be allergies causing him to lick at his paws. The main causes of allergies are fleas, ingredients in the food or something in the environment. If he continues to do this, it would be ideal to have him evaluated by your veterinarian to start to work him up for allergies and to potentially start him on medications to decrease the itch and potentially treat a secondary infection if found on exam. Good luck and have a great night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Joy. She could be suffering from pododermatitis and it has many causes. Bacterial/yeast infections, allergies (inhaled, food), demodex mange mites, parasite problems, are among some of the more common causes. I would advise taking Joy to your vet. Your vet can gather a detailed history and perform an exam. Based on those findings, they can then advise you on a diagnostic/treatment plan. Possible tests include fecal tests/skin scrapes, skin cytology, bacterial culture/sensitivity, biopsy, allergy testing, etc. Treatment is based on what is learned from these tests. This could involve antibiotics, antifungal medicines, foot soaks, antihistamines, steroids, allergy medications, etc. She may require an Elizabethan collar to prevent her from licking the paw also. Good luck

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It seems your photo didn't attach; if you could post your question again with a photo that would help us give better input. However, if Percy is consistently biting and licking at one particular spot, he should be taken in to the vet to determine why. Dogs will typically bite and lick out of either pain or persistent itchiness, or occasionally anxiety, so it's best to have the vet determine what the cause (and correct treatment) is.

Hello. This is a very typical presentation of a dog with Atopy, an inhalant or contact skin allergy. Your veterinarian can recommend several different manners in which to address this problem, including medicated shampoos or oral/injectable antiallergy treatments. It is curious that we commonly only see this in 1 foot, but the irritation can develop anywhere on the body. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.