I think Amber has allergies.

[dkean]

Amber keeps licking and biting the tops of her rear paws. The fur is gone and her skin is bright pink (almost red) from her licking so much. Can dogs get athlete's foot? Other then this she seems to be 100% healthy. She goes for her one year old vet visit 12/19/12. We still have the cone collar from when she was spayed. Putting that on,I don't think will cure her it will just make it harder for her to lick her rear paws. She is quite resourceful and I think she will defeat the collar.

She can carry a tennis ball and a rope knot in her mouth while pushing another tennis ball with her nose around the house IE herding. . Like all shelties she is to darn smart.

[dawns2shelties]

I would definitely get her to the vet sooner than 12/19/12. With her fur gone I would think she could easily be heading towards an infection if she continues licking like this.

[Lightplum]

yes she needs to be seen like yesterday...Especially with the breakdown of the skin it can lead to infection.

Could be allergy, could be nervous habit..could be anything!

[dkean]

Amber has an appointment to see the vet tomorrow at 11 am.

[dawns2shelties]

That's great, please let us know how she makes out.

[dkean]

Amber is back from the vet. She gave amber a cortisone shot. She thinks it might be a food allergy. If it is, the shot will relieve her licking in two hours. She also found some irritation on the pads of her front paws. We take her back to the vet in 10 days.

[corbinam]

Hope that the shot helps and that Amber doesn't go back to the licking.

I have heard that this year allergies have been worse than usual. My girl has never had allergies before and she has been licking her feet enough to make them pink.

[Internette]

A soaking or wash in an oatmeal bath might be helpful. I use to use a special lanolin shampoo , or oatmeal bath.

[dkean]

Amber stopped licking a few hours after her shot. I hear that changing a puppies food can cause problems. ??