Pododermatitis in Dogs

Breeds that are most commonly affected by pododermatitis are English Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, Irish Setters, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Bull Terriers, Dachshunds, Boxers, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Weimaraners, and German Shepherds. If your pet is excessively licking or chewing at his paws, it is important to take him to the veterinarian. Pododermatitis is painful and may become debilitating to your pet.

Pododermatitis (Interdigital Dermatitis) is the inflammation of the interdigital skin; the area of skin in between the toes and footpads. Pododermatitis is a common canine skin condition that may also affect the nail.

Your pet may have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Paws are red and swollen
• Pus from the lesions
• Abscesses on the paws
• Paws have hair loss
• Hyperpigmentation
• Nodules
• Dog excessively licks and/or bites at his paws
• Crusts (scabs)
• Ulcerations of the paws
• Blisters
• Thickening pads

• Fungal - Ringworm, yeast, mycetoma, blastomycosis
• Bacterial infection - Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Mycobacterium
• Parasitic - Fleas, ticks, mites, mange mites, hookworms, nematodes
• Allergies - Seasonal allergies, dietary, grass allergy
• Immune-mediated diseases
• Tumors or cysts
• Auto-immune diseases - Pemphigus and lupus
• Trauma - Foreign object, hard surface irritation, hot pavement
• Environmental - Humidity, rainy 
• Obesity - Too much weight on the paws, may cause friction
• Malnutrition
• Hormonal diseases – Cushing’s Disease,  Addison’s Disease, hypoestrogenism
• Idiopathic – No known cause

The veterinarian will take a thorough medical history of your pet.  Let your veterinarian know what symptoms you have observed and when they started. The veterinarian will do a physical exam on your dog which may include checking the dog’s temperature, listening to his heart and lungs with a stethoscope and taking a closer look at your pet’s paws.  Pododermatitis can be diagnosed from a physical examination.  

Diagnostic tests will need to be done to find the cause of the pododermatitis.  Bloodwork, serum biochemistry panel, and a urinalysis will help determine your pet’s overall health, and it may help determine if there is an infection. Other diagnostic tests that may be performed include bacterial culture, fungal cultures, skin scrape, skin cytology, hypoallergenic food trials, and biopsies.  Biopsies will require that your pet is sedated. A DTM culture may be recommended to rule out ringworm or dermatophytosis. If your pet has a tumor on his paw, x-rays will be required. Your veterinarian may refer your pet to an animal dermatologist.

Treatment of pododermatitis will depend on the cause of the inflammation.  It may include a combination of topical and systemic therapies.

In dogs with infections, they will need to be treated with systemic antibiotics and anti-fungal medications. Bacterial infections usually need to be treated for at least 6 weeks.

Malnourished canines will need to be placed on a balanced, high-fat and low carbohydrate diet.  Vitamin supplements may be suggested.

To control food allergies your pet will need to have his diet changed. To help find which foods your dog is reacting to, your veterinarian may suggest an elimination diet. This is done by solely feeding your dog one or two food item, such as ground chicken and sweet potatoes. Once it is established that your dog doesn't show a reaction to those two food items, you can then try another two items, such as beef and peas.

Medications such as steroids, antihistamines, cyclosporine and fatty acids may be prescribed for allergies. Allergy injections or medications may be needed. 

Topical treatments, special shampoos and/or weekly dips will help with parasitic mites.  If your pet was diagnosed with parasites, his bedding, toys and area will have to be thoroughly cleaned.

For a cancerous tumor, your dog will need to have surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy.  The veterinary oncologist will go over all the options available. If your pet was diagnosed with an underlying disease, the veterinarian team will discuss the proper treatment plan with you.

It is important to follow the treatment plan you are given for your pet.  It may be necessary to get an Elizabethan collar (cone) so your pet does not lick off topical medication.  

If your pet had surgery the veterinarian surgical team will give you specific postoperative instructions.  Your pet may be prescribed pain medications and antibiotics. It will be very important to keep the bandages dry. Follow-up visits will be needed to check on your pet’s progress and to remove sutures.  Exercise and walks will be restricted. A cone will help keep your pet from biting at the bandages.

Prognosis depends on what was diagnosed by the veterinarian team.  In most cases dogs respond well to the treatment plan. Some conditions and or diseases will require a lifetime of treatments.  Allergy related pododermatitis, can’t always be cured, but the symptoms, when treated properly, can be minimized.