Licking back paw--should I take her to the Vet?

I noticed last night that Freya was licking her back paw (and only one paw) over and over again. I inspected it and other than it being a brighter shade of pink than her other paws, I didn't see anything wrong. I'm not sure if it is a brighter pink because it is cleaner comparatively or if it is aggravated by the licking.

Should I go to the Vet? As far as I know Freya doesn't have any allergies to food. I believe she had some congestion which I took to be external allergies but I assumed that if that was the case she wouldn't favor just one paw. Am I wrong in thinking this? Could it be a yeast infection?

What kind of medication should I get or what should I do?

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on November 9, 2009 at 4:41pm

I would examine it carefully under good light - she could have something between her toes. Could be a piece of a leaf, a piece of glass, anything. And it can be really hard to see.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn and Jenn on June 22, 2010 at 6:34pm

You might have got this fixed, but Otto does the same thing with his front paw nibbling on his front paw. He has a yeast infection in his ear, so I just got back from the vet. For the chewing, vet told me to give him 25mg of Benedryl twice a day. Might help Freya.

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Permalink Reply by Sammy on March 18, 2014 at 10:29am

Same here with Winnie. Seems to be seasonal reaction to grass. For whatever reason it's usually only one paw she works on. They get red, really red, and the licking makes it worse. I've tried 3 things : Benadryl. "Dermapaw" and wrapping her foot in tiny white baby socks (you can get a bagful at Wal-Mart). I use strong surgical tape to (usually) keep it on. Lots of praise and treats to keep the Dermapaw and covering a positive thing. It works but the problem is cyclical.

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Permalink Reply by Linda on March 19, 2014 at 10:37am

It could be external allergies. If you are not in an area where outside allergies are present at this time it could be say a new scatter rug, something you clean the floor with? And why one paw I don't know.

I am going to suggest that maybe it be anxiety. Is she left alone a lot? Something else new in the house...another pet, baby, anything that she sees constantly? Years ago we had a rottie/shep mix. I wasn't working when we got him and then several months later I got a full time job. He just did not deal well with that and licked his front paw till it was raw.

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Permalink Reply by Vicky Hay on March 21, 2014 at 9:13am

Cassie licks her right front leg, especially when she's blowing her coat and the next season's fur is coming in. She had a little hot spot there when she came from the pound. It'll heal up, the fur will pretty well grow back in, and then in another couple of months she's at it again. The vet gave me some hot spot stuff that seems to help temporarily. At first I thot it must be hurting her, but now I don't think so. It's either a habit or an allergy.

Interestingly, now that the puppy is here, she's quit slurping herself. It may be simple boredom. The pup keeps her so busy she doesn't have time to lick!