Good afternoon
Dog, Cane Corso, 8 years old, Moscow. I noticed several inflammations in different places on different paws. Mainly in the area of ​​the fingers and pads. I noticed because the dog began to periodically lick the pads of its front paws. The pads themselves are in good condition, not cracked. At first I thought he was injured, but the last two sores are on the upper (outer) side of the front paw and on the back, almost at the joint. The inflammation itself looks like a dense lump, ranging in size from a penny to two rubles, from which ichor leaks. Some inflammations that were present from the very beginning, as I noticed (about a week ago), were cured with Vishnevsky ointment. But the latter do not give in - they get wet and do not heal.
Previously (about a year or two ago) this happened, and not only on the paws, even on the tail. The experience of going to doctors was not the most successful - I was in 3 clinics, Eremin said that it was “inflammation of the hair follicles” and told me to apply levomekol (which, by the way, did not help), other doctors did not say anything specific at all. By chance I remembered about Vishnevsky’s ointment, and it cured all her ailments. But there have never been such abundant rashes in different places as this time!
Questions:
a) what could it be? From what? General weakening of the immune system? Is it worth giving something to boost immunity? What do you recommend?
b) What other options could there be besides Vishnevsky ointment? Now I sprinkle Baneocin so that it is at least not an ointment, and the sore dries out. When I go for walks, I cover it with a plaster and a bandage so that the wound doesn’t get dirty. Although in the current weather it still gets wet from time to time. What else can you do about this? Let’s say I’m treating an external wound, but this “ruble” is inside? Am I pushing the infection inside? Does he need to take antibiotics?
c) Who can I go to who can deal with this? Considering that the “great” leather workers from the White Fang have appointments a month in advance?
Thanks in advance!

UPD August 27: I will write general recommendations here, because many animals have this, but not every doctor can accurately diagnose it. We visited the doctor - surgeon Chadin in Belant. A very attentive and friendly doctor, explains a lot to the owner. He said it was PODODERMATITIS. It is often found among Molossians - Cane Corso, Mastiffs, Bordeaux and other large dogs. Most likely, autoimmune, with the addition of infection. It often happens that exacerbations occur in spring and autumn, in damp weather.
Treatment: the main thing is to keep the paws dry. Therefore, in rainy weather, wear something waterproof on sore paws. He made us a bandage (very thick) from a bandage, and on top - two rubber gloves, with the fingers turned inward. It is also good to use household gloves - they are thicker. You can also wear a sock on top so that the rubber does not rub off on the asphalt. This is a “rubber boot” for a dog :) This is only for a walk, so that the paw inside is dry. Leave only the bandage at home.
Treat with chlorhexidine. Wash your paws after a walk, it would be good with tar soap - it dries out (during exacerbations, and not throughout your life). It is good to use baths with weak potassium permanganate - 5 minutes for each paw.
The main thing: he made us “blockades” under the big shots. So, if the inflammation is severe, you still have to go to the doctor for these injections - the lump itself is injected with an insulin syringe, there is an antibiotic and something hormonal. I was very glad that I didn’t have to cut anything.
He said that when a lump like this opens up, you don’t need any ointment, just treat it with chlorhexidine. If the lump has not yet opened, the ointment is hormonal with an antibiotic. I don’t know if it’s possible to write the name here - if you need it, write in a personal message.
He also prescribed an antibiotic and a hormonal drug to drink. So, for appointments, go to the doctor. We have such a massive attack because this is already a relapse, and there are several sores on all paws.

A disease of the secondary type, pododermatitis in dogs, is a consequence of deep bacterial contamination of the skin on the paws with the development of pyoderma or purulent inflammation. Almost always, allergies, demodicosis, hypothyroidism or autoimmune pathologies are diagnosed simultaneously with pododermatitis.

Without treatment, the disease may develop complications, the consequences of which can never be restored.

What are we talking about

Another name for pododermatitis is interdigital pyoderma; easily excitable dogs with “fine mental organization”, dachshunds, sharpeis, bulldogs, Great Danes, and boxers are prone to it. Pododermatitis is often diagnosed in Labrador retrievers as a result of compulsive licking between the toes of the front paws.

The inflammatory process affects places on the paws that are in more contact with the ground (snow, asphalt) - the pads. Redder spots appear on them and between the fingers, which gradually grow in width, covering areas of healthy skin.

In dogs living in the city, cases of pododermatitis increase in winter due to contact with snow sprinkled with reagents.

A weakened immune system provokes the development of opportunistic microflora that is constantly present on the skin (Malassezia), but spends most of the dog’s life in “sleeping mode.”

Causes

If the skin is affected only in a few places, the disease proceeds well and even treatment at home is possible.

List of typical reasons:

1. Injuries. There are many factors that can lead to damage - stone impact, high or low temperatures, etc.
2. Foreign bodies. The seeds of some types of herbs penetrate the surface layers of the skin, causing an inflammatory process. Thorns and wood chips are also dangerous.
3. Tumors. In dogs after 5-6 years of age, pododermatitis develops due to the development of tumor-like processes, in particular squamous cell carcinoma, plasmacytoma, etc.

Extensive and severe lesions with bacterial pododermatitis in dogs can develop against the background of other diseases:

1. Hookworms, ticks, fleas, lice eaters.
2. Dermatophytosis or fungus.
3. Food allergy, the body's reaction to one or more components in the diet.
4. Pathologies of the endocrine system. More often, symptoms of pododermatitis accompany low levels of thyroid hormones, Cushing's syndrome, or excess production of adrenal hormones.
5. Malfunctions of the immune system.

Pododermatitis often develops when a dog accidentally comes into contact with strong chemicals. Individual skin reactions to detergents for animals or hygiene products for humans are possible.

Characteristic symptoms

Signs of pododermatitis most often appear on the front legs.

What you can see:

• severe redness of the skin;
• formation of pustules;
• formation of nodules.

Nodules, blisters, fistulas, bald spots and areas of skin with severe swelling are visually visible. Often the paws become itchy, which causes the dog to constantly lick them and further intensify the symptoms.

With a strong inflammatory process, lameness and enlargement of nearby lymph nodes may appear.

Diagnostics

In order for the treatment of pododermatitis to be as successful as possible, it is necessary to accurately confirm the diagnosis. To do this, a cytological examination of the purulent focus is carried out. With pododermatitis, staphylo- and/or streptococci and bacilli are found in smears.

When examining tissues, areas of pus, boils, and follicles are found.

If a dog is suspected of having pododermatitis, it is examined and diseases similar in clinical picture are excluded:

1. Maassesial (yeast fungus) dermatitis.
2. Demodecosis.
3. Actinomycosis.
4. Mycobacteriosis.

Tumor processes and autoimmune diseases must be excluded; each pathology on the list has symptoms similar to pododermatitis, but they must be treated differently.

Treatment Basics

The entire treatment process is based on the cause that provoked the symptoms of pododermatitis. Treatment at home is not prohibited, but the dog must be under constant supervision.

Prescriptions of medications are made by a veterinarian; using ointments, injections or antibacterial agents on your own is not recommended; an incorrectly used treatment regimen will, at best, not bring results. At worst, it will worsen symptoms.

In the presence of bacterial inflammation, local and systemic antibiotics are prescribed. It is important not to stop the course at the first signs of improvement, otherwise the “smothered” bacteria will rear their head again and the disease will return.

Locally, the skin is treated with antiseptics (Chlorhexidine), folk anti-inflammatory drugs (decoctions of chamomile, sage), and ointments containing broad-spectrum antibiotics. Ointments based on mupirocin showed a good effect.

In severe cases, if there are severe lesions, the veterinarian may recommend excision of the diseased surface of the paws.

If pododermatitis in a dog is based on autoimmune processes, hormone-based medications are prescribed. They are also indicated to control allergies, especially if it is not possible to eliminate the animal’s contact with the allergen.

More often, in case of autoimmune pathologies, glucocorticoids are prescribed for life, since when the medication is discontinued, the disease returns again.

In the absence of timely assistance or poor treatment, pododermatitis is complicated by the formation of scar tissue.

Prevention

To exclude complications from the slightest inflammation and the spread of swelling due to pododermatitis, the dog must wear a protective collar. To prevent contact with reagents, dogs are dressed in slippers/boots for walks in winter.

Many breeds require special care. Poodles, Pekingese, Yorkies, lap dogs, Risen dogs, etc. It is necessary to cut the hair from the space between the toes, and be sure to wash and dry the paws after a walk.

Interdigital dermatitis in dogs leads to damage to the spaces between the toes, as well as the surface of the paw pads. This disease is secondary and does not occur on its own. Veterinarians have noticed that certain breeds are most susceptible to the disease: Pekingese, bulldogs, dachshunds, Great Danes, Shar-Peis, shepherd dogs, bull terriers, mastiffs, Labradors.

Symptoms of interdigital dermatitis in dogs

One of the symptoms of pododermatitis in dogs is interdigital dermatitis.

Interdigital dermatitis is characterized by redness of the skin.

Clinical signs , which may indicate a problem:

• reddened skin between the toes and on the toes themselves and paw pads;
• thinning hair in affected areas;
• swelling of the limb and itching, which the dog tries to stop by licking;
• weeping wounds, fistulas and boils may appear between the fingers;
• Pain in the limbs when walking can result in limping.

Causes

Paw injury can cause dermatitis.

There can be many causes of skin problems on the paws of dogs. The most common of them:

Diagnostics will help to find out the cause of the problem of interdigital dermatitis. To contact a veterinarian, you will need to spend 3 days without treating problem areas on the skin with anything.

To diagnose the disease, a blood test is prescribed.

Additionally, the following may be assigned:

• x-ray or computed tomography;
• if the paws are positioned incorrectly, consult an orthopedist;
• if cancer is suspected, consult an oncologist.

Treatment of interdigital dermatitis in dogs

Only after finding out the main cause of the skin problem can you begin treatment. All prescriptions will depend on the type of interdigital dermatitis.

Treatment should begin after determining the cause.

Bacterial form of dermatitis

If the test results reveal bacterial dermatitis, the treatment will be comprehensive.

1. Active and passive specific immunotherapy . Staphylococcal polyvalent toxoid is prescribed for active immunotherapy. In the early stages of the disease, when the damage is minor, a passive method of immunotherapy is used. Antistaphylococcal serums and immunoglobulins are prescribed.
2. Nonspecific immunotherapy is aimed at restoring immune responses . Immunostimulants of the cellular component of immunity (T-cells and phagocytes) have proven themselves well in this regard. Staphylococcal infection develops against the background of reduced immunity, so strengthening it is a priority task.
3. Antibiotic therapy gives good results if you use drugs to which staphylococcus is sensitive. For example, experts recommend Baytril, which contains enrofloxacin, which belongs to the group of fluoroquinolones. This remedy has a wide spectrum of action and is used to treat both salmonella and staphylococci. In some cases, the veterinarian prescribes a course consisting of 2-3 types of antibiotics at the same time.
4. Application of bacteriophages , virus-like living components that can eliminate certain bacteria.
5. For local use the following is prescribed: cauterizing and drying agents (for example, alum solution), enzymatic - chemotrypsin, lysozyme. Local treatment for staphylococcus cannot replace the above, because is of secondary importance. Itchy wounds are treated with dimexide solution or novocaine is used in the form of applications.
6. To strengthen the immune system, probiotics and vitamin preparations are prescribed.

Baytril is a drug for the treatment of dermatitis in dogs.

Pododemodicosis

Ivermectin is prescribed for the treatment of interdigital dermatitis caused by subcutaneous mites. The drug is quite toxic, so it is prescribed in extremely severe cases.

The drug is contraindicated in dogs during pregnancy.

Incorrect placement

In some cases, incorrect paw placement may require surgical treatment.

Overweight dogs are prescribed a diet.

If the problem is caused by excess weight, a corrective diet for the animal is prescribed. Some dogs benefit from wearing special corrective shoes. In any case, self-medication is unacceptable; consultation with a veterinarian is necessary.

Paw injuries

In case of traumatic dermatitis, it is necessary to monitor the wound healing process. Zinc ointment is used for lubrication. Avoid getting water on the injured limb.

Zinc ointment is used to lubricate the wound.

Allergy

The allergic form of dermatitis is difficult to cure.

Shampoo with birch tar is prescribed for allergies.

It is very important to identify the allergen and try to eliminate it from the animal’s life. If there is a food allergy, a special hypoallergenic diet is prescribed. For topical use, chlorhexidine or a special tar shampoo for animals is suitable.

Psychogenic form

The disease can appear in a dog due to stress.

If the disease occurs after, the veterinarian will suggest course of treatment with sedatives . After the nervous system is restored, the signs of dermatitis will disappear on their own.

Conclusions

You cannot treat a dog with medications without a veterinarian's prescription.

Interdigital dermatitis in dogs should be treated only after identifying the true cause of the disease. In this case, treatment will bring relief to the animal. But the use of all kinds of ointments and lotions without a doctor’s prescription will only aggravate the course of the disease.

Video about interdigital dermatitis in dogs

The expression “movement is life” is especially true for our pets. Only those dogs that take long walks every day maintain their health and well-being for a long time. But there are more than a dozen diseases in which an animal simply physically cannot frolic happily in the fresh air. One of them is pododermatitis in dogs.

This is the name for inflammation of the paw pads. What are the reasons for such an unpleasant phenomenon? There can be a lot of them: infections, allergies, hormonal disorders, autoimmune diseases, poor ecology (salt on city streets), oncology. Before visiting the veterinarian, it is advisable to know the answers to the following questions:

• Where does the dog live (city or countryside)?
• Do clinical signs appear constantly, or is the phenomenon seasonal?
• Are the lesions only observed on the paws, or can they be seen on other parts of the body?
• Have you tried treatment at home?
• Has your dog's diet changed?
• Have you traveled anywhere recently?
• Does the dog have any other health problems?

The veterinarian’s choice depends on your exact answers: what to treat, what treatment regimen to use, how long it will take.

What causes the disease?

Let's consider the main factors that cause the occurrence of this disease. So, here is a short list of them:

Read also: Bursitis in dogs - all about joint inflammation

Separately, we should dwell on negative environmental factors. Dog paw pads do not withstand prolonged running on asphalt surfaces, as well as exposure to road reagents used to counteract the formation of ice.

Clinical picture

It is heterogeneous and depends on the root cause that caused the development of the disease. So, if there is some kind of infectious pathology, the pads and paws become noticeably red and may swell, and the local tissue temperature is increased. In these cases, you can see nodules (papules) or pustules, notice ulcers or discharge of pus (visible in the photo). If the disease is advanced, the animal’s legs often become bald.

What if pododermatitis has an allergic background? The skin on the paws is also red and swollen, but an increase in local body temperature is usually not recorded. The hallmark is severe itching, which causes the dog to constantly rub and lick its limbs. If interdigital pododermatitis in dogs develops as a result of an allergy, then the dog can spend hours rubbing its paws in its mouth. As a result, the skin on them becomes macerated, and massive hair loss begins. The remaining fur on the paws is all sticky and important from a large amount of saliva.

Please note: if you are dealing with a contact variant of the disease that has arisen as a result of direct contact with allergens or toxic substances, then the lesions are fixed on the paw pads themselves. When the cause is a general allergic reaction, then signs of pathology are visible not only on the paws, but also on the face, as well as the ears.

Like humans, a dog’s skin is a huge system that performs a large number of important functions in the body. The skin protects the dog's body from damage, performing a protective function. It is involved in the process of thermoregulation. The beauty of the fur depends on the health of the pet’s skin and entire body. A frequent reason for a visit to the veterinarian is a violation of the integrity of the skin. One of the problems is dermatitis. Let's look at the most common types of dermatitis in dogs, their main symptoms and existing treatment methods.

Dermatitis and its classification in dogs

Dermatitis is an inflammatory process that occurs on the surface of the skin or inside it. The disease is accompanied by redness, itching and pain.

Additional symptoms depend on the severity of the process, causes and associated complications. Very often, itching leads to the animal scratching the skin to the point of wounds, an additional infection occurs, the body temperature rises, and purulent wounds appear.

With dermatitis, the dog scratches its skin to the point of wounds.

Classification of dermatitis

The causes of dermatitis can be different, therefore there are many types of the disease. The most common types of dermatitis among dogs are:

• pododermatitis affecting the limbs of a four-legged pet;
• flea caused by flea bites and the body’s reaction to their saliva and waste products;
• caused by the activation of a special type of fungus on the skin;
• seborrheic, which is also divided into primary and secondary seborrhea.

Fleas can cause dermatitis.

Let's look at the main symptoms characteristic of each type of dermatitis, so that any dog ​​owner can promptly pay attention to them and come to the veterinarian for help.

Distinctive features of pododermatitis

Pododermatitis on a dog's paw.

Pododermatitis is found on the paws or pads of dogs.. The main provoking factors include fungal and bacterial infections. The first symptoms that caring owners pay attention to are:

1. Constant, extremely thorough licking of paws. The limbs look wet and the skin is red and moist.
2. The appearance of wounds around the pads, between the fingers.
3. Bloody blisters on the extremities.
4. Swelling of the affected limb.
5. Pain occurs when walking. The dog begins to limp, it is hard for her to stand on her damaged paw.
6. The addition of a bacterial infection manifests itself in the form of pustules and abscesses.

Treatment

If the lesions on the extremities are few, you can treat them and wait for the wounds to heal. In this case, antibiotics do not need to be used; it will be enough to treat the damaged areas with chlorhexidine or any antibacterial drug.

In winter, you can purchase special shoes for your dog.

• When dermatitis has affected most of the skin, begin to fight the underlying disease , while prescribing antibiotic therapy is a justified step. The course of treatment is long, until the symptoms disappear completely, and then another 14 days to consolidate the results.
• Pododermatitis occurs frequently due to contact with allergenic substances . For example, during ice storms, a special anti-icing mixture is used to sprinkle icy roads. It is this that has a detrimental effect on dog skin. To protect your pet from problems in winter, you can buy him special walking boots.
• In advanced cases or in situations where wounds occur due to improper paw placement, it may be prescribed operation .
• To relieve itching use anti-allergenic agents and herbal lotions.
• Balanced nutrition e and the use of immunomodulators will help restore immunity and overcome the disease.

Symptoms and treatment of flea dermatitis

Flea dermatitis is accompanied by hair loss.

1. Dog biting the skin.
2. Itching and scratch marks on the skin.
3. Wounds due to injury to the skin by animals during scratching.
4. Loss of appetite, vomiting, problems with stool and stomach.
5. Balding areas of skin.
6. Variable behavior: barking, occasional whining, irritability.

Typically, the reaction to flea bites does not occur immediately, but as intoxication increases and the body’s reaction intensifies. This reaction is considered slow. Very rarely, some individuals may have an immediate reaction to a bite. It occurs in hypersensitive individuals.

Dermatitis that occurs in response to flea bites can spread throughout the body, but usually the head, paws and ears are not affected by this type of disease.

Before treating dermatitis, it is necessary to eliminate its cause - fleas.

You can get rid of fleas using a special shampoo.

• Shampoos are used for this special drops for the withers , solutions and aerosols. After treating the animal, they proceed to disinfect the premises. It is recommended to treat the room with a special solution, wash and iron the animal’s bedding. If necessary, the disinfection procedure is repeated after 14 days.
• Antihistamines will help relieve itching . If the desired effect is not observed or the disease has become chronic, the veterinarian will prescribe corticosteroids. Their use should be carried out according to the scheme determined by the doctor, the duration is also prescribed by the veterinarian. You cannot deviate from the course of treatment, so as not to harm your pet’s health even more.
• To animal did not suffer from flea infestation again , it is recommended to purchase a flea collar.

Signs of acral dermatitis

With this form of dermatitis, thickening or ulceration may be visible on the back of the paws in the wrist area. Plaques can be found on the ankles and sometimes even between the toes.

Acral dermatitis on a dog's paw.

Acral dermatitis most often affects large dogs. Characteristic signs of dermatitis:

• Licking the affected area, some dogs begin to chew the painful area.
• In some cases, the lesion occurs at the site of an old injury (bruise, fracture).
• The lesions are single, but sometimes several thickened plaques occur at once.

Existing treatments

Acral dermatitis is difficult to treat if the cause of the problem has not been clearly established. Very rarely resort to surgical treatment. Surgery is performed only when all treatment methods have been tried, but none of them have brought relief.

Chamomile decoction relieves inflammation and irritation.

Typically, the veterinarian prescribes the following types of medications:

1. Antibiotics are prescribed taking into account the identified bacterial environment and sensitivity to certain groups of drugs.
2. From system tools the following can be used: psychotropic substances or antidepressants, antihistamines (clemastine, cyproheptadine, chlorphenamine) and hormonal drugs (prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone), antipruritics - misoprostol, cyclosporine.
3. Local treatment may involve the use of ointments or lotions made from herbal ingredients. For example, a decoction of chamomile, comfrey leaves, and calendula flowers helps well. They are safe for the animal, relieve inflammation and irritation of the skin.

Malassezia dermatitis

Malassezia dermatitis in a dog's ear.

Infection of a pet's skin with a special type of fungus, Malassezia pachydermatis, leads to the occurrence of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs. Typically, a fungal infection begins to progress against the background of other diseases. Signs of the disease may be:

• severe itching of the paws, ears and area around the eyes;
• the affected areas begin to go bald and red;
• the skin thickens;
• an unpleasant odor emanates from the animal;
• the fur becomes unkempt and greasy;
• the disease may be accompanied by .

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at eliminating pathogenic microflora.

Bathing is carried out using special antifungal shampoos (Sebazol, Mycozoral, Nizoral), it is possible to use shampoo with chlorhexedine. It has antibacterial properties. You can use lotion with enilconazole. From folk remedies - vinegar diluted to 2%, which is used to wipe the affected areas of the skin. Wiping is carried out periodically with an interval of 2–3 days.

Nizoral is an antifungal shampoo.

Signs of seborrhea and methods of its treatment in dogs

The main symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis in dogs:

1. The characteristic dog smell emanating from stray animals may also be present in a pet when it develops seborrhea.
2. Matte wool shade. Usually the coat is shiny, but with this disease it immediately becomes dull.
3. The fur is brittle, which causes excessive hair loss.
4. visible to the naked eye.
5. Itching is accompanied by constant sniffing of the animal.
6. Black spots on the skin.

Seborrhea in a dog.

Therapeutic measures

To improve the condition of the skin and coat, special shampoos containing tar, salicylic acid and sulfur are used. If the diagnosis reveals a lack of nutrients in the body, vitamin supplements are prescribed.

Antifungal (Fluconazole) and antimicrobial (Ceftriaxone) agents can also be prescribed. Treatment with corticosteroid medications can be used to relieve itching.

Fluconazole is an antifungal drug.

Particular attention should be paid to the dog's diet. The veterinarian can choose the diet. It should contain the necessary nutrients and not cause allergies in the pet.

Video about flea dermatitis