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My dog keeps licking her swollen, pink paws. What should I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | West Highland White Terrier | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 1 month old | 18.5 lbs

Hello. My westie pet is frequently licking his hands and feet. I have found out that her hands are somehow swollen and have a pinkish colour. May you please give me some advice ? Thanks

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on July 17th, 2019

Poor Hermione. The pink color may be due to saliva staining from the constant licking, and that could also cause the swelling. This behavior is a very common sign of allergies, but you need to take her into the vet who can diagnose if she does have allergies and can treat her. Tonight, put an Ecollar on her to keep her from licking her paws further. You can make one at home or buy one at a pet store. Best of luck.

http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on December 2nd, 2019
Hi, and thanks for your question.
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem.
Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking.

Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on July 1st, 2020
Hi, and thanks for your question.
Even though a picture would help to understand better the underlying cause, This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem.
Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching (if any).
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on July 30th, 2017
Even though a picture would help to understand better the underlying cause, this presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and eventually antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem.
Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching.

Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My dog's paw is swollen between toes from licking. What can I do?

Hi there! I'm sorry to hear that VooDoo has a bum foot. Irritation and infection from licking can very well cause swelling and irritation like this, and KetoHex alone probably won't be enough to get the swelling down if he's still able to lick it. I highly recommend that you put an e-collar (also known as a cone) on VooDoo so that he can't get to the paw. I know it's rough on them, but they don't know not to lick, and he'll just wind up making his paw worse and worse. That being said, if the swelling doesn't go down after he hasn't been able to lick it for a while, I suggest re-visiting the vet to see if there could be anything stuck in the skin of his paw, like a tiny thorn. I have seen swelling like this caused by a foreign object in the past, and sometimes they can be very hard to see. The vet may also be able to prescribe some anti-inflammatories that will help with the swelling and pain (do not give anything over-the-counter as they could be dangerous to VooDoo). It is also possible that the swelling is being caused by a tumor, but considering VooDoo's age, I highly doubt that this is the case. Good luck, and I hope that VooDoo's foot feels better soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog won't stop licking her bleeding paws. What should I do?

Poor pup! If Princess is licking her paws to the point that they are bleeding, this is definitely not normal. The most common cause of excessive licking or chewing of the paws is an allergy problem - either seasonal environmental allergies or food allergies can cause this. Other possibilities would include a bacterial or fungal skin infection in this area, or even skin mites (mange). I would recommend having Princess examined by a vet as soon as you are able to - he/she can do some simple skin tests if needed to help diagnose the problem and get her started on appropriate medication to treat it. In the meantime, I would recommend getting an e-collar (plastic cone) for her to wear to prevent her from continuing to lick her paws and make things worse.

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My dog's paws are swollen and she keeps licking them. What's wrong?

That is quite a bit of swelling! I would recommend that Daisy get checked out by the vet. It’s hard to say without examining her if the licking and chewing was caused by the swelling or if it is a result. Allergies can cause excessive licking, inflammation or lymphatic flow issues can cause swelling, and treatments for all of these conditions will vary.

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My dog keeps licking her swollen, irritated paw. What should I do?

Hello! I'm sorry to see that your dog is having some trouble with her foot. It appears to moist and irritated between the toes, and there is also some swelling around the nail beds of two of her nails. I am very concerned that this may be a skin infection, and possibly also a nail bed infection (which can sometimes be tricky to treat because of how deep the nail goes into the toe). I do not recommend continuing the Zymox spray without the advice of a veterinarian, as it contains hydrocortisone (a steroid). Steroids will decrease inflammation, but they also suppress the immune system. I strongly suggest that you bring your dog to visit the vet as he or she may require antibiotics and/or antifungals to treat any potential infection she has. In the meantime, you can try soaking her foot in cool, mildly soapy water, followed by thorough drying. If your dog is licking the foot, I recommend placing an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) on his or her neck to prevent further licking, which can exacerbate inflammation and contamination with bacteria and yeast. At the vet's office, they will perform a physical exam, and most likely they will take a sample of skin cells and discharge from between those toes and around the nail bed for examination under a microscope. This will help them determine what treatment will work best. They may also give your dog some pain relievers or anti-inflammatories so that he or she is more comfortable. Good luck, and I hope that your dog feels better soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

What to do if my dog's paw is red and raw from constant licking?

That may be an infection. It's clearly bothering your dog because she is licking it. I would take her into a vet in the morning to have this diagnosed and treated. Tonight, put an Ecollar on her to keep her from licking it. You can make one at home. http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why are my dog's paws swelling and bursting again in hot weather?

She may have seasonal allergies or could be getting some foreign material caught between her toes when she goes out in nicer weather. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further licking or chewing. Have her examined by your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause. Antibiotics can help with infection, antihistamines may decrease allergies and pain medication may provide additional relief. Continue the foot soaks if they help.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's paw is swollen, raw, and elevated. What should I do at home?

The most you can do at home is to place an e-collar (cone) on Gracy Kay to prevent further licking and to limit her activity to leash walks for elimination. We would not (and legally cannot) recommend any medications in the absence of a physical exam. She needs to be seen by a veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and treatment. X-rays may be indicated to rule out fractures, tumors or foreign bodies. Any treatment will depend on the diagnosis.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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