Bernese MT Dog Paw Chewing

1.5 Bernese MT Dog. She began chewing one paw last night really bad. 🥺. I examined the paw and I did not see any cuts, abrasions, or insect bites. There is no yeast smell from the injured paw or the other 3. I tried cleaning with a cool rag but I would like to know if there's anything I can do before we can get her to the vet on Wednesday. I have hydrocortisone and ivermectin cream if that could help? Would giving her benadryl help for the time being also? She is about 80 lbs. TIA. Pictures for reference/comparison.

Hello - and first of all, please go to our blog and search for an article by David Harris, called "New Laws for Veterinary Medicines Coming Out This Week."  (It's an old one from earlier in the year).    It is, however, a helpful blog that reiterates the UK rules around prescribing veterinary medicines.  Drugs must be prescribed for the patient whose name is on the label, by a veterinary surgeon who has examined the patient (there are exceptions, but I'm afraid that none of them apply here to my knowledge).  A licensed product must be used first; if there is not a suitable licensed drug, then appropriate products can be used 'off license' under a strict set of rules known as the 'cascade'.  This drug does not, to my understanding, have a license for dogs with itchy feet and could be a bad thing to use not only from a legal perspective, but because it may not serve the patient.   I'm afraid that a vet is needed in this situation; you could call and ask your vet or their emergency cover to triage the situation in order that an emergency appointment can be offered if need be.

If an emergency appointment cannot be given immediately, they may discuss other options with you over the phone, which they should document in your cinical notes.

Causes of foot-chewing in dogs do indeed include allergies, but because only one foot is affected, I would also be wondering about injury and wounds, or other sources of pain e.g. arthritis, bone cancer or an ingrowing nail.  I'd wonder about foreign bodies, on the inside as well as sticking out.  A vet will usually examine a foot for possible causes of injury and will usually suggest investigations from there.  They may treat the symptoms (itching, possibly secondary yeast infection) before they can address the underlying cause.  I hope that something here helps.