Liz Buchanan BVSc MRCVS
Keymaster
Hello - the signs you report seem to be intense itching to the feet, possibly with tiny bald patches? (your vet has the advantage of seeing this in perspective on the dog - these are obviously magnified so it's hard to understand what they look like grossly - the one in the middle?)
I don't think I've ever had a client show me an animal, reporting itching to which I have said 'I don't think this is a problem.' Sometimes I've said, 'I think what you're reporting is actually normal / to be expected for this dog at this time' or 'I think that you're mistaken in your perception that this dog is itching,' or 'what you're reporting is acceptable for this dog in this situation', but if you were seeing / describing intense itching and hair falling out, I would be surprised if your vet meant 'this is normal, you don't need to do anything, even if it gets worse.' I am not doubting you, but trying to piece together what happened in the consultation from the vets' perspective. How was the case looking when they saw it, and what exact words did they use? Were you being seen for that problem at the time, or was the vet focused on something else? Has the condition developed in any way since?
Possibilities for intense itching include mites, allergies, fleas and so on. Possiblities for bald spots include ringworm, or a little mite called Demodex, neither of which itch in themselves but they can sometimes cause patchy lesions that invade the area when the immune system is threatened. Because Ringworm is a possibility, do not touch the lesions with your bear hands or allow small children / other immunocompromised people to play with the patient until told otherwise by your vet.
It is worth a new appointment specifically for this problem, in order to focus the consultation. If they still don't think it's problem and you still do, you could ask them to refer you to a dermatologist or a colleague within the practice for a specialist second opinion, so that you can have confidence in what is being said.
Meanwhile, if allergies are a possibility, it can sometimes reduce paw-licking to rinse the feet in water after coming in from a walk. This may help to remove any invisible allergens from the skin surface. Don't forget to wear gloves or avoid touching the lesions as discussed.
I hope that something in here is helpful; please let me know how you get on.
Report