Is Constant Paw Licking and Chewing a Sign of Mange?
by Marla Schotborgh
(Willemstad, Curacao (Caribbean))
I have a dog from the dog pound that most of the time is licking, chewing his paws, legs, etc which often cause wounds.
I thought of him having mange. The veterinary gave him some pills for the itching but it did not help. Checking on the internet I came across canine mange. Plse see attached photos and hopefully you can tell me something.
Kind regards,
Marla
Thank you for adopting him. We aren't able to view photos, but constant licking and chewing of the paws and legs is most often caused by allergies, either environmental allergies or food allergies, rather than mange. Fleas, yeast and bacterial infections in the licked skin can keep the cycle going, and the wounds can become infected.
Mange is still worth ruling out, especially in a dog from a shelter. Sarcoptic mange causes intense itching and is often mistaken for allergies, and widespread demodectic mange can affect the paws. Ask your vet about skin scrapings, and whether a treatment trial for scabies makes sense if the scrapings are negative. A cone or a light T-shirt can help protect his skin from licking in the meantime.
If itch pills haven't helped, your vet may also look at flea control, a strict food trial, or treating skin infections, and a veterinary dermatologist can help with stubborn cases. Read more about mange and the skin problems that look like it.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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