[Nikitta34]

DH and I adopted our second Yorkie, T-Bone, on July 3 from a shelter in South Korea. Three days later, we moved to Arizona. T-Bone developed allergy-like symptoms soon after our move. We changed his food (Royal Canine to Wellness Small Bites) and also his environment, so we don't know what he is allergic to. We've been consulting with our vet, but T-Bone seems to make small little improvements, then slide back to his original state.

Symptoms:
* Constantly scratching his ears (and crying in pain)
* Constantly licking/biting his paws (and crying in pain)
* Itchy, swollen eyes (vet prescribed a steroid anti-itch cream) - was getting better, now getting swollen again.
* Doesn't appear to be particularly itchy anywhere else.
* On antibiotics twice since August for a respiratory and paw infection; runny nose and wet sneezes just again yesterday.

I was able to clean one of his ears on Friday, but he cried and yelped and fought me, and now won't let me touch his other ear (I have tried several times). He had a lot of brown gunk in it (despite fairly regular ear-cleanings) and lots of little cuts from his scratching.

I tried to put his steroid cream in his eyes this morning. I was able to get one eye, but then he actually bit me twice (hard!) when I tried to put the cream in his other eye. I let him calm down, sit on my lap, cuddle and relax before attempting the second eye. This has worked for the last several weeks, but not today.

I took a look at his paws today (as I do every day) and the actual pads are quite swollen and red. He chews mostly on this front paws, and today I noticed something new: the ends of his nails look like they were cut beyond the quick. T-Bone was last groomed on Sep 1. His nails look hollow, and I can see what I assume is the quick in the middle of the hollow area. This is only on his front paws.

Am I dealing with allergies, or a bad grooming job, or both? I am at my wit's end with this little guy. It breaks my heart to see him in such pain, and I don't know to do to make it better. I am hesitant to put him on antibiotics AGAIN (third time in two months!) since it does not seem to be a lasting solution. T-Bone seems to be getting more upset and aggressive, and I can't blame him since he is in such pain, but I just don't know what to do.

Help! T-Bone and I would appreciate any advice you can offer. I plan to take him to the vet again this week, but I have a feeling it's just going to be the same course of action as before. I want a lasting solution.