Blister between toes: trouble walking.

1200 Views 37 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Mark.Ace.GSD, 10 d ago

Mark.Ace.GSD

Discussion Starter · 22 d ago (Edited)

Hi all,

my GSD has been combatting allergies for the longest time. Recently, I noticed a “blister” between one of his toes. It's not the first time he gets one of these, but I don't remember them bothering him this much.

He doesn't seem to be licking, but he is limping. I know the blister is causing the pain, because he is reluctant to letting me touch it. I apply Chlorohexidine spray to the area a few times per day, and I clean and moisturize his paws daily.

He's had this for about 2–3 weeks, and he's starting to have enough. His energy levels are building up, he wants to walk and run so much, but he can't because of the pain in his paw.

In my opinion, it has gotten slightly better, but the progress seems to be very slow compared to time in the past. Or maybe I feel this way since It's the first time it causes him this much discomfort.

Anybody's help would be appreciated…

Additionally:
-He takes Apoquel daily
-We have a blood allergy test scheduled in a few weeks.

Thank you

EDIT:

While cleaning his paws, I have just noticed an additional tiny 'blister' on the rise on one of his rear paws.

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1 - 20 of 38 Posts

LuvShepherds

· #2 · 22 d ago

Does he have blisters anywhere else? On his stomach?

Mark.Ace.GSD

Discussion Starter · #3 · 22 d ago

No, nowhere else. He did have a wound in between his back legs, but It's all gone now. I also applied chlorohexidine there.

My assumption is that something in the environment triggered this (allergy). But I don't know what it could be.

LuvShepherds

· #4 · 22 d ago

@Magwart Have you seen something like this?

Raell

· #5 · 22 d ago

Apoquel helps the itch but also suppresses the immune system which might not be helping the dog fend off these skin issues.
It doesn’t look like something chlorhexidine would work well on.

car2ner

· #6 · 22 d ago

Do you have fox tail seeds in your area? The get under the skin and can be a big problem.

Mark.Ace.GSD

Discussion Starter · #7 · 22 d ago

car2ner said:
Do you have fox tail seeds in your area? The get under the skin and can be a big problem.

I don't think so, but even if it were the case, I think it would be a problem with more than just one toe..

Mark.Ace.GSD

Discussion Starter · #8 · 22 d ago

saharaell said:
Apoquel helps the itch but also suppresses the immune system which might not be helping the dog fend off these skin issues.
It doesn’t look like something chlorhexidine would work well on.

I understand that, but if I don't give him apoquel he'll get skin irritations which would quickly lead to infections. What is another alternative to apoquel? I've been considering Cytopoint, but my dog isn't cooperative with the veterinarians, and I don't want to sedate him every time a cytopoint shot needs to be administered.

Raell

· #9 · 22 d ago (Edited)

Mark.Ace.GSD said:
I understand that, but if I don't give him apoquel he'll get skin irritations which would quickly lead to infections. What is another alternative to apoquel? I've been considering Cytopoint, but my dog isn't cooperative with the veterinarians, and I don't want to sedate him every time a cytopoint shot needs to be administered.

I get it. GSDs are prone to these things and I’ve dealt with my fair share. Have you tried pre-probiotics and omega 3, 6, 9 and vitamin E supplements?
Along with bathing dog with medicated shampoo?

I use Adoredbeast’s “Love Bugs” and Ferapet’s Plantbased Omega 3 almost exclusively. I found that as soon as I gave one of my GSDs fish oil, she started itching so I moved over to plantbased and haven’t looked back.
And bath in Dechra’s miconahex-triz shampoo.
Every dog is different, but those three along with a quality food cut the itch to what I’d say is a “normal” dog itch. I also wipe the paws every time we come in the house.

I know a lot of people use Apoquel and Cytapoint, but these are not good for the dog. They can lead to cancer and other issues at a young age. The holistic method takes time and experimenting but will ultimately be best for the life of the dog.

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Dunkirk

· #10 · 22 d ago

This mousse version contain chorehexidine and ketoconazole. The addition of ketoconazole, an antifungal agent, could make the difference in his response to treatment, if the problem is fungal.

Phyto CHX+KET antiseptic mousse is formulated with chlorhexidine gluconate and ketoconazole, antibacterial and antifungal agents for the management of skin infections. This no-rinse mousse also contains phytosphingosine, a pro-ceramide to help moisturize and support a healthy skin barrier.

Phyto CHX+KET Antiseptic Mousse for Animal Use - Drugs.com

Learn about Phyto CHX+KET Antiseptic Mousse for Animal Use including: active ingredients, directions for use, precautions, and storage information.

www.drugs.com

techinstructor

· #11 · 21 d ago

I use a shampoo called Keto-C that I first got from my vet. It has chlorhexidine and ketoconazole in it. It's supposed to require an Rx for purchase, but I get it frequently from Amazon at half the vet's price. It is wonderful for any skin (yeast and/or bacterial) issues. Wash an area and leave it on for about 10 minutes, then rinse well and dry.

That being said, m pups have had issues like your pup's between the toes and they are stubborn to get healed. I would use the Keto-C, once or even twice a day, plus use Mupirocin (Rx required) or if you can't get that use a good OTC antibiotic, daily. These spots are called furuncles, and are infections of the hair follicle. They can cause a good deal of discomfort to the dog. Both of my dogs have had them and they are a result of allergies. Some I catch early and get them healed before they get bad. Others I've had to treat for weeks, but eventually they did go away. As I said, they can be stubborn so just keep cleansing and applying ointment or cream.

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Dunkirk

· #12 · 21 d ago

techinstructor said:
I use a shampoo called Keto-C that I first got from my vet. It has chlorhexidine and ketoconazole in it. It's supposed to require an Rx for purchase, but I get it frequently from Amazon at half the vet's price. It is wonderful for any skin (yeast and/or bacterial) issues. Wash an area and leave it on for about 10 minutes, then rinse well and dry.

That being said, m pups have had issues like your pup's between the toes and they are stubborn to get healed. I would use the Keto-C, once or even twice a day, plus use Mupirocin (Rx required) or if you can't get that use a good OTC antibiotic, daily. These spots are called furuncles, and are infections of the hair follicle. They can cause a good deal of discomfort to the dog. Both of my dogs have had them and they are a result of allergies. Some I catch early and get them healed before they get bad. Others I've had to treat for weeks, but eventually they did go away. As I said, they can be stubborn so just keep cleansing and applying ointment or cream.

You may like to try the mousse as it is left on the skin, no rinsing is required. I

Reactions: 1

Mark.Ace.GSD

Discussion Starter · #13 · 21 d ago

I currently bathe him in medicated Chlorohexidine shampoo, and I clean the area often with a Chlorohexidine spray and mousse. I tried resting his paw in a container containing warm water and Epson salt yesterday.

I noticed this morning that a nother “bubble” is growing from under his paw ...

*Attached images

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2

LuvShepherds

· #14 · 21 d ago

It could be a contact allergy. Is he walking anywhere that he might step into some kind of irritant like fertilizer or something else? I asked it he had them anywhere else because my dogs got oozing blisters but they were other places, too. They were mostly caused by Bravecto, but he’s also allergic to food proteins. Chlorhexidine mousse worked but eventually he needed antibiotics.

Jenny720

· #15 · 21 d ago

You can ask your vet about neo-pred powder it’s good for reducing inflammation and infections of the paws and toes to help clear up what is there. Cytopoint injections are great some vets do home visits.

Mark.Ace.GSD

Discussion Starter · #16 · 16 d ago

Hi everyone, After all these weeks, the blister doesn't seem to be getting smaller. he's still limping, and others are growing on other paws. I've been doing my daily cleanings on his paws 2 even 3 times a day. I dont know what to do!

Mark.Ace.GSD

Discussion Starter · #17 · 16 d ago

Jenny720 said:
You can ask your vet about neo-pred powder it’s good for reducing inflammation and infections of the paws and toes to help clear up what is there. Cytopoint injections are great some vets do home visits.

I will ask his dermatologist about this..

brookwoodgirl

· #18 · 16 d ago

My dog was put on apoquel for a hot spot. He developed leukemia and died within months. He was six and a half. I foolishly thought the side effects would be rare and not happen to my dog, who was perfectly healthy before he was given the apoquel. He got the hot spot swimming in a creek in his heavy winter coat, and I didn't dry him thoroughly afterwards, he got the hot spot under his tail. I think I would soak my dogs foot in betadine, or epson salts. He may be developing those blisters because his immune system is being lowered by the apoquel. I know it is hard but believe me, I will never give a dog that drug again.

Reactions: 1

Raell

· #19 · 16 d ago

Mark.Ace.GSD said:
Hi everyone, After all these weeks, the blister doesn't seem to be getting smaller. he's still limping, and others are growing on other paws. I've been doing my daily cleanings on his paws 2 even 3 times a day. I dont know what to do!

Did you try any of the things I suggested?
Brookwoodgirl’s recommendation about using a betadine solution is also a good one to keep the area sanitary.

Mark.Ace.GSD

Discussion Starter · #20 · 15 d ago

I have been applying a lot of chlorohexidine products, I've been washing his paws with chlorohexidine shampoo, bathing his paws in warm salt baths, and even applying an antifungal cream. Nothing is helping. His blister is only growing and causing more discomfort.
I spoke to his dermatologist today. They gave me an appointment for Friday. They will do a culture, but they told me that It's likely they will administer Prednisone to treat the inflammation, and he might take that steroid all summer to alleviate his allergies..

I don't want to give him prednisone, but it seems like our only option.

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