My beloved Yorkie is licking his rear toes excessively.
 

My beloved Yorkie is licking his rear toes excessively.

I noticed this behavior possibly 3 - 4 days ago. Thought it was a bit odd. I looked at the pads of his feet, and they are visually fine. However, between his toes on both rear feet...it seems that he has licked them to the point where the skin is somewhat red. The skin itself isn't broken/cracked at the surface or anything. No funny odor, as I was initially thinking it was a yeast/fungus infection.

I brought him to the vet yesterday, and they gave him a shot of antihistamine (I think). Told us that it would not take affect for 24 hours, but that should help. Meanwhile we clean his paws w/ just cold water. They basically thought it was an allergy, but were not overly concerned.

While waiting at the vet, a fellow dog owner suggested that it might be "Hot Spots". I did a search on this topic, and I don't think this is the problem, although "Hot Spots" are rather scary! The reason I don't think it is "Hot Spots" is the area is along the underside/between the rear toes, whereas all the pictures of "Hot Spots" seems to indicate that this type of infection happens on the body/leg areas.

Any input? We'll be sure to wash his feet tonight. Just worried about him, as I woke up only to find him off our bed (he typically sleeps w/ us), and sitting in my pair of jeans licking his toes. I don't know if he did this all night...

Awwww the poor littel guy! I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with this. But keep us posted and good luck! :D

sounds like allergies to me , mine do that sometimes and my vet said it was allergies from the grass , weeds etc .... My vet gave me a spray called Allerspray for dogs and it works great .

Yes, it does sound as if it were allergies. My moms bichon does this...just CHEWS on his toes and he has allergies.

It does sound like an allergy. What is in the spray the vet gave you? Is it diphenhyramine? If so, you can also buy that over the counter for humans. If it is steroid, be careful about letting him lick it off..
Let us know if the shot helps and how your boy is doing..if this is an allergy to grass, can you just train him to stay in the house or go only on concrete or such?? Give him Yorkie smoochies from us.

heres the allerspray

http://nationalpetpharmacy.com/store...&root%5Fid=100

It sounds like allergies to me too. Mine have done this when playing in the grass alot, Make sure when you bath them you are getting all the soap off their feet.

My westie has this problem and I soak her feet in hot salt water in the evenings and this dries them out and makes it mush more comfortable for her.

Kim,

That sounds like a good idea. I've never heard of doing that before. Muffin used to have allergy to fescue and it was mainly in the spring. I suppose it was because at that time of year the grass is usually damp. Anyway, I used to put an anti-itch cream on her feet and that took care of it.

I'm happy to report that the excessive licking is gone. His feet are fine now. I'm guessing that the last time we bathed him, some soap was left between his toes...and basically irritated his skin.

I made a point of washing off his feet after this thread was posted. After monitoring him for a few days, he didn't lick his feet anymore.

Thanks everyone!!!