{"id":2570,"date":"2023-06-21T07:43:17","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T07:43:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/?p=2570"},"modified":"2025-11-01T05:47:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T05:47:46","slug":"excess-foot-licking-and-itching-in-dogs-pododermatitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/dog-and-cat-parasites\/excess-foot-licking-and-itching-in-dogs-pododermatitis\/","title":{"rendered":"Excess Foot Licking and Itching in Dogs: Pododermatitis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Podo means foot and dermatitis means skin irritation. So, pododermatitis refers to the inflammation and irritation of the foot or paws of a dog that leads to excess foot licking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you notice excessive paw licking you should <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/\">contact a veterinarian<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> immediately. Pododermatitis can become serious when left undiagnosed and untreated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the potential causes of pododermatitis in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2574\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/256-min.jpg\" alt=\"The underside of a dog's paw exhibiting excessive redness and some swelling. These can cause excessive foot licking and other signs of pododermatitis in dogs.\" width=\"1890\" height=\"1063\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pododermatitis can have one or more causes. Here are some of the common <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insider.com\/guides\/pets\/why-do-dogs-lick-their-paws\">causes of excessive foot licking<\/a><\/strong> in dogs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allergic reactions such as seasonal allergies, contact dermatitis and food hypersensitivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infectious diseases such as bacteria, fungi and parasites.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immune-mediated reactions due to acute allergies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Metabolic or hormonal causes that disrupt skin texture<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tumours and cancers of the skin\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact dermatitis due to clipper burns, excessive running on hard surfaces or exposure to irritants.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the signs of pododermatitis in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most generic signs of pododermatitis in dogs is excessive foot licking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other than the common sign of pododermatitis, other clinical signs may shed some light on a specific cause.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the different causes and types of canine pododermatitis?<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excess Foot Licking Due to Allergies<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allergic pododermatitis may be the most common form of foot or paw irritation and inflammation among household pets in India. Itching is indeed one of the most issues followed by darkening of the coat on the foot due to saliva or secondary fungal growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2577\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/260-min.jpg\" alt=\"Medium haired dog, golden coat, of unknown breed sitting outdoors and scratching her ear. Pododermatitis due to allergy will cause excess foot licking and itching, but the scratching can reach other parts of the body as well like in this dog.\" width=\"1890\" height=\"1063\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact pododermatitis is also possible when the dog is walking on something that\u2019s irritating their paw pads. Although, soon the inflammation spreads to the entire paw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foot Licking and Itching due to Infections<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infectious pododermatitis can have one or multiple causal organisms. The most common ones include bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viral (Canine Distemper Virus).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parasitic Causes of Excess Foot Licking<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parasites like mites (Demodex and Sarcoptes) can cause irritation, redness and swelling of the paws. It might eventually lead to loss of fur from the infected area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immune-mediated Pododermatitis<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some dogs are particularly prone to severe immunological reactions against common substances present in the environment. These reactions can cause painful ulcers, blisters and scabs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, all four paws are involved if it\u2019s an instance of immune-mediated pododermatitis. The tissues in and around the paws can be excessively thickened and darkened, and the footpads can become crusty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Metabolic or Hormonal Pododermatitis<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are less common among dogs as compared to fungal, bacterial, parasitic and allergic pododermatitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lesions are due to secondary skin infections. Metabolic or hormonal pododermatitis can cause redness, swelling and pustules.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paw Licking and Itching Due to Tumours or Cancers<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tumours typically affect only one foot. However, in the case of <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/hospital.cvm.ncsu.edu\/services\/small-animals\/cancer-oncology\/oncology\/5-types-of-skin-cancer-in-dogs\/\">squamous cell carcinoma<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the nail bed, multiple paws and multiple lesions might be present.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2573\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/255-min.jpg\" alt=\"Single finger touching a bald, pink and inflamed spot on the paw of a dog of unknown breed. Inflammation and tenderness can cause excess foot licking in dogs.\" width=\"1890\" height=\"1063\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no particular shape or size that you can expect to see even if the cause of a dog\u2019s paw irritation is a tumour. There may be one nodule. Or, there may be multiple nodules and ulcers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vets can recognise signs of pododermatitis during <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-care\/why-should-you-take-your-pet-for-regular-veterinary-check-ups\/\">regular veterinary check-ups<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Any discolouration or swelling in your dog\u2019s paws will tell the veterinarian that it needs immediate attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will the veterinarian determine the cause of your dog\u2019s excess foot licking?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, your veterinarian will ask several questions about your dog\u2019s paw licking intensity and habit. They will also ask about the type of ground or floor on which your dog walks, your dog\u2019s diet, the type of cleaners used inside your home and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can expect questions such as &#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does the excess paw licking persist all year round or is it seasonal?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you changed the floor cleaner or surface on which your dog runs\/walks?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the general condition in which your dog walks, runs and lives?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there other lesions or hotspots on any other part of your dog\u2019s body?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you changed your dog\u2019s diet?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is your dog\u2019s diet? Does he receive table scraps or scrounge the dustbin?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has your pupper travelled anywhere new recently?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What other medical or health issues does your dog have?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the only way to confirm the specific cause of canine pododermatitis is by running diagnostic tests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These tests can include &#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin scrapings\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bacterial cultures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fungal cultures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Biopsies\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood tests\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urine tests\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The veterinarian can determine the exact cause only after receiving the reports of all these tests. Sometimes, more than one factor is involved in causing pododermatitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact the best<\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/our-services\"> vet clinic in your neighbourhood<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that has in-house diagnostics. Early diagnosis improves the prognosis of canine pododermatitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the treatment of canine pododermatitis?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive paw licking can mean anything from an increase in Demodex mites to open bacterial wounds. So, the treatment of canine pododermatitis will depend on these cause(s).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, it\u2019s a combinatorial approach since metabolic, hormonal and allergic reactions can often lead to secondary bacterial and fungal infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, along with the treatment for the root cause, treatment for secondary treatment as well as symptomatic management of the swelling and itching. Without symptomatic treatment, your dog will keep up with the excessive paw licking and itching, which will not help minimise the infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2576\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/257.jpg\" alt=\"Hands applying medicated shampoo on a white long-haired dog at a grooming station. Medicated baths can help prevent and treat excess foot licking due to parasites and infections.\" width=\"1890\" height=\"1063\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The treatments of excess paw licking due to canine pododermatitis can include &#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special shampoo washes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foot soaks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foot creams\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Topical treatment for bacterial and\/or yeast infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Topical ointments to reduce inflammation and itchiness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral antibiotics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral antifungals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steroids\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immune-modulators\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immunotherapeutic drugs (injections)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antiallergics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it is allergic pododermatitis, your veterinarian will recommend oral and topical medication along with an exclusion diet or moderate <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-health\/which-is-a-good-dog-food-for-dogs-and-puppies\/\">diet changes for your dog<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not try to medicate your dog without consulting a veterinarian. Even a veterinarian should prescribe oral medication or injectables only after completing the battery of tests mentioned above.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of the medicines mentioned in the list above can have side effects. Speak to the best veterinarian near you if you wish to give any medicine to your dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will my dog recover from excessive foot licking due to pododermatitis?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pododermatitis is quite common among dogs in India. The prognosis for pododermatitis will depend upon the cause of the disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your dog might need lifestyle changes, diet changes, medications or all three to enjoy a healthy and long life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, you have to stop your dog from compulsive paw licking. If necessary, invest in a sturdy Elizabethan collar for your dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is your dog showing signs of pododermatitis, such as excessive paw licking? Can you see their paw fur darken from their saliva? Find out the exact cause, treatment and prognosis. Contact your neighbourhood veterinary clinic without any delay. Choose the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/pet-consultation-near-me\">best pet clinic with in-house diagnostics<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for faster reports and quicker recovery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Podo means foot and dermatitis means skin irritation. So, pododermatitis refers to the inflammation and irritation of the foot or paws of a dog that leads to excess foot licking.\u00a0&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2578,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[103],"tags":[8,96,99,98],"class_list":["post-2570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dog-and-cat-parasites","tag-dog","tag-dog-disease","tag-dog-health","tag-pet-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2570"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6684,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570\/revisions\/6684"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}