Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 5/7/2005

Question
About a month ago my wife and I were given a 3 - 5 yr old male Shitzu, "Pudge".  He was abandoned at the groomers by a woman who was going through a divorce and could not take care of him.  A co-worker of mine took him in for about a year and a half, and then gave him to us.  My co-worker told me that Pudge had been given Clavamox off and on for the entire year that he had him.  After we got Pudge, he broke out into another allergic reaction, so we took him to the vet and he was given more Clavamox.  We decided to put him on a "raw" diet of raw turkey and ground beef, as well as cooked brown rice, oatmeat, and carrots.  He has been on this diet for approximately 2 weeks now.  Now, his skin irritation has dissapeared (visibly), but Pudge still constantly licks and chews at his skin - to the point that it becomes red, irritated, and sometimes bleeding.  This licking is confined to primarily his paws and certain "hot spots" on his back, sides, and groin.  Is this an allergic reaction still?  Or is it an obsessive compuslive behavior?  Or both?  How do we treat this?  We are at out wits end!  Help!  

Answer
Dogs often have food allergies AND pollen, mold, mite allergies as well.  Usually when dogs are licking their feet it is not a food allergy. Allergy testing may give your vet the answers.  You should see your vet to see if they can put the dog on a short course of steroids to stop the itching.  You can also bathe him twice a week and give him Omega3 fatty acid diet supplements to keep his skin from reacting.