Blisters between pads of feet

My 2 1/2 year old male am-staff terrier is allergic to chicken, beef, pork, peanut butter, and aparently something in our water when it is unfiltered. I'm usually pretty good about keeping him away from stuff he is allergic to, but once in a while he will get into the cat food (its our room mates cat so I can't expect them to buy expensive food made of lamb or something he isn't allergic to), or someone will slip him a treat when I'm not paying attention (he is also my service dog in training so he is around people  a whole lot), or he will find something on the floor he can't have. His eyes get red and puffy and itchy and the pads of his feet will get irritated. He will like them over and over again until they become red and raw and in the worst cases they will get what look like blisters and start to bleed. I've tried a few different ointments that are supposed to "deter" licking but they don't for a second, and I'm worried about him injesting all of these ointments and stuff that he isn't supposed to. So my question is, anyone have any ideas on how I can get him to stop licking his feet?

[tonyb286]

How do you know he is allergic to the foods you mention? Has he had an allergy test at the vets? Although not unheard of, it is extremely unusual to find a dog that is allergic to chicken. I'm also wondering what you or your flatmate uses to clean the floor, such as detergents, which may irritate his paws. Tony

[TwoBitsMom]

I also wonder how the allergies were determined.  Please let us know.
Like Tony, I am wondering if your dog has possible contact dermatitis, from substances used on the floors, and my other thought, is the possibility that perhaps the cat you talk about could possibly be the problem.
How long has your dog shown allergies....?  Before or after the cat...?
Have you tried using benedryl....?
Please tell us more....thanks...
Connie.

[Misfits4Me]

I agree, more details please....Karla

[davesprettylady]

Actually its pretty common to have am-staffs and pit bulls with chicken allergies. It started when we first got him. The vet said it was food allergies. We switched his food (which was originally chicken based) and he was okay. Then through experimentation with different foods and such we found he was allergic to beef and pork as well.

I had heard that benadryl was okay for dogs once, what sort of dosages and stuff should I try?

[Margot49]

Why not try a different food like Pro Plan Salmon for sensitive stomachs or Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato, no grains either.  Yes, you can give Benadryl but I don't think I'd do that on the cuff.  You plan to give it daily or just when there is an outbreak?  You should discuss this with your Vet.
Try soaking his feet in a solution of Epsom Saltz and warm water a couple of times a day and dry well.  That sounds more like a contact allergy to me also. Is the dog let out on grass often?  Many can have seasonal allergies to various types of grasses and weeds.

[davesprettylady]

His food is lamb, he's okay with that. Like I said its only happening when he manages to get into the cat food or eat something off the floor he's not supposed to. I would only give the benadryl as needed which isn't super often anymore. It is possible it is a contact allergy as he is my service dog and probably walked on just about everytype of flooring, pavement, grass, as well as who knows what kinds of cleaning products, I don't know that I would be able to isolate it if it was. The vet maintains that it is food allergy and since it only comes around these days when he gets into something I tend to believe her. I asked if I should get those doggy boot things but she said it wouldn't benefit him at all. I dunno, I'm just looking for a way to deter the licking so he stops hurting himself. Right now they aren't too sever, no blisters just redness I just don't want him licking so much he gets the blisters again.

[Misfits4Me]

What do her nails & nail beds look like? Are the blisters around the nails?

[TwoBitsMom]

It sounds like you are pretty positive about what causes his allergies. You sound confident that your dog has indeed ingested something that is causing his allergy. When he does ingest something he is allergic to, how long do his symptoms usually last...?  Can he go for long periods without symptoms..?  Does he always lick his feet, or only when he has eaten something he shouldn't have...?
Give your vet a call tomorrow, and ask her about the correct dosage of benedryl for your dog. She will determine the dosage according to his weight. She can also tell you how often you can give it to him.  The phone call should cost you nothing...the benedryl is inexpensive and might be worth a try. I have a dog that has to take benedryl quite often.
The epsom salts Margot mentioned, sounds like it might help your dogs feet feel better, but using benedryl would also help your dogs eyes, and any other parts of his body that might itch.
Along with the epsom salt soaks, you could also try putting boots or socks on his feet to stop him from licking.
Please keep us informed...thanks,
Connie