What can I do to help my chocolate labs skin allergy?

I have a 18 month old Chocolate labrador who has started biting and licking her front paws, they have become very red. I took her to the vets they say its probably an allergy and they want to do some drastic tests to find out what it is. Surely theres another answer? she started this in January and it was just one paw, now its both of them, can anyone help?

What can I do to help my chocolate labs skin allergy?
It could be because of all the pollen on the ground from the flowers, grass, and trees. Try washing her in some oatmeal dog shampoo. It should help with the itching...Also ask your vet for some cortisone (sp?) pills...I wouldn't recommend the cream, because she is licking her paws...And maybe not the shots, because you might not be comfortable administering them yourself, or to take her to the vet for them every week...That could get pricey...
Reply:it could be an allergy to the food she eats, something in your house- like floor cleaner. i would get her the tests wouldnt you go and get tested if your feet were raw and itchy? my dog's skin gets irritated once in a while and i give her a spray of pet relief and she seems to stop. i also bathe my dog with oatmeal shampoo to ease her skin problems. go to the vet!!
Reply:i cant imagine what drastic tests they would want to do to see if your dog has an allergy.


a scratch test is all that is needed to determine if there is an allergy in a human .


my brother had a dog that used to lick his leg until it was very bad condition. the vet gave them something to put on the spot that tasted awful to stop the dog from licking but that did not work.


i had to stay there for a while as my house burnt down and while i was there i walked the dog and played with him let him have runs off the leash out side . the dog stopped the licking very soon after i started that and then when the time came that i could leave soon there after the dog started the licking again. hence i came to think it was more a problem that resulted from lack of exercise attention and time to play and be a dog . how about giving that a try.
Reply:Did you have the dog bathed? You need to have the groomer use hypoallergenic soap and don't bathe a Lab more that twice a year. Wash her paws with plain water and then give her a good brushing, including the paws (be gentle - use a brush not a wire comb). If that doesn't work you can put some bitter apple on her to get her to stop.
Reply:My dog has a skin allergy as well. The best thing to do is take it to the vet and he will give you some type of anti-biotic or ointment. Another thing that has proved VERY helpful is that you have to brush your dogs hair everyday! Also in Wal Mart they sell vitamins for your dog that you could buy and those help a lot as well.
Reply:Try a few things yourself before handing the vet a Hawaiian vacation. Your dog may now be allergic to its food. Try a lamb and rice diet.





Something new may have been introduced into the local enviroment (carpeting in house or new vehicle, cleaning soaps, lawn chemicals / food, deodorants, perfumes, cologne.) Try to think of what changed at the time your dog started doing this.





Once you have found a suspect cause, take action to remove the item(s) or at best keep the dog away from those items for 30 days. If the licking stops, you have found the cause.
Reply:My dog had this problem when we would have a heavy dew on the ground and only then. I would wash her paws off when she come into the house. There are shots they gave my dog for the itching it helped!. Ask the Vet to start with that. When the grass gets wet all kinds of pollen and things stick to the grass. I am sure your dog is uncomfortable I know mine was. She would chew on her paws all the time they have to be sore. Go back to the VET.
Reply:You need to try to make a list of what all was in her life at that time...


- what food did she eat in Dec/Jan?


- what did she come into contact with?


- Did you put any liquids or creams on her?





Did you palpate the paws to see if there's a cut or thorn or other foreign body? A foreign body could be treated by sitting with her and keeping her paw in a soaking epsom salt bath. You might need to trim hair off her paw area as part of checking it out.





Did you try cortisone spray 10% for dogs, or your cortisone cream, followed by putting baby socks on so she doesn't lick it off?





These are some simple things you can do while you develop your list.





Since it's now both paws, it is more likely to be allergy, but you never know... the epsom salts might help.





Also, an 18mo old chocolate lab is big enough you could give it a 25mg benedryl tablet to see if t hat helps. I'd do that in the evening so she is helped to get some sleep. If it's an allergy, the benedryl should give her some respite from the itching.
Reply:Hi d.gomerslls, If excessive itching and scratching are the problems, that may simply be the lack of Omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids in your dog's diet that's making their skin and coat dry. Winter indoor heating may also be exacerbating the condition. Adding simple food additives to your dog's food may be the key without switching diets. Supplements like Mrs. Allen's Shed Stop, Flaxseed Oil, Pet Botanics Skin %26amp; Coat supplement, Royal Coat from Ark Naturals or Health %26amp; Shine from Dr. Harvey's are all viable solutions for supplementing your dog's diet with the needed Omegas that dog's need to lubricate their skin and coats.


Excessive and compulsive foot licking, or chewing and biting other parts of the body, are generally a sign that allergies are to blame.Please look articl: http://www.askedweb.com/askedweb/How_To_...


Also, causes of this affliction can include a dry house, fleas, diet, mange or thyroid problems, etc. But whatever the cause, a simple solution is rinsing your dog with a bit of chamomile tea. Just boil up the kettle, make the tea, allow it to cool down (Very important!) and pour it over your dog. This will sooth your pup’s dry skin without leaving any oily residue that other dry skin treatments can leave. If your dog has severe dry skin, rub some olive oil into the affected area and then towel him off with a paper towel.


Jason Homan
Reply:my lab mix has food allergies, and we found out that lambs dry food, lamb and rice has made her skin better,


also try fish oil because the oil makes the dog produce more oil and makes their hair richer,, also try benedryl or hydrocortozone, and watch them so they don;t lick,
Reply:my brothers dog has skin allergies %26amp; she has to take alergy meds perscribed by the vet .
Reply:Your vet want to find out what she is allergic too in order to try and cut it out of her life. Many dogs are allergic to many ingredients to food and they will not get better until they no longer get it. For some its seasonal just like for us. Some its a combination of a few things. Benadryl works great.
Reply:it could also be a sign of boredom, how about some "doggytoys" bones to chew on, mine does the same and licks the floor, and as soon as i get home he stops his habit. p.s. got plenty of toys for the thing. my vet, told me it's just sad to be left alone , and is slightly "neurotic" perfectly harmless, but check the PAWS OUT there could be something stuck in them, and starting to become ingrown! that could be your dogs main reason for behavior
Reply:you can bath her with a shampoo for allergies...
Reply:try children's benadril that what the vet told me to use for my dog. He won't take it straight so I dip a piece of bread into it.