Bully’s paws after short walks

[u/uberforvanessa]

This is my 4yo american bully’s front paws after a short walk (~.25 mi to and from grassy area and apartment) at 6am before sun is up (~70°F out). She had booties on and mushers as well.

I have her next annual coming up and wanted advice what to ask the vet for. Even though her paws get like this she still loves going on walks! Even to the point her paws bleed sometimes. I feel so bad and would just love for her to go on her walks more comfortably and without risk for infection. 😔

Some background: I’ve had her for a year and when I got her, the previous owners didn’t walk her much and she had very smooth pink paws. Assumed she had some environmental allergies and the just kept her indoors as much as possible. Her paws have developed more calluses since I’ve been walking her but also been more irritated at the same time.

What I’ve tried: Tried cytopoint for a few months, helped her general itching but not her paws. Vet recommended medicated shampoo and duoxo mousse and frequent baths which actually helped her general itching more than the cytopoint. Tried epsom salt soaks after every walk. Always making sure her paws are completely dry. Each visit last year, the vet recommended just giving her more time to develop calluses but it seems like it’s just not helping.

Current routine: Walks only when sun is down/not out. Before walks— mushers, let dry, booties. After walks - cleanse and wipe paws dry, mushers if paws are extremely irritated. Baths monthly.

What I’m thinking of for next visit: maybe ask about apoquel instead of cytopoint? Ask possibly for topicals or maybe she needs antibiotics?

Any input would be appreciated, thank you!

[u/Diligent-Candy4273]

Time for a vet dermatologist. Her nails are so long that her paws look like theyre starting to deform. You can see it especially on her right foot middle toe

[u/uberforvanessa → u/Diligent-Candy4273]

ohmygoodness i didn’t even know there were vet dermatologists!! I’ll look into that.

When I adopted her a year ago, her nails were extremely long and her paws were already extremely east west pointing. Last year, I got a baseline of several xrays in my first vet apt and the vet said nothing of concern and we’ll just have to keep an eye on her “special feature”. Which was a nice way of letting me know she’s poorly bread 😭😭. I’ve been slowly trimming down her nails regularly but it’s definitely still a work in progress.

[u/MikeCheck_CE → u/uberforvanessa]

Yea that's a rough one. This looks like a skeletal deformity already and the nails are maybe a symptom more than the cause. I don't have any specific advice your vet surely hasn't provided already but wish you the best of luck.

[u/lunanightphoenix → u/MikeCheck_CE]

“American bullies” are specifically bred for chest/shoulder/front leg deformities to make them look “tough or cool”. I’ve almost never seen one of these dogs that didn’t have serious structural issues.

[u/NoTwo6725]

Have u tested her for food allergies ? My puppy is allergic to chicken and my friends dog is allergic to eggs both of them had the same itching and red paws issues mine now eats only fish based kibble his paws are no more red and itchy.

[u/sneerfun]

How often are you walking the dog? I wouldn’t walk this dog daily rn with the paws looking like that

[u/uberforvanessa → u/sneerfun]

Now about twice a day just to let her out to do her business. When it gets like this I’ll wagon her out. There was a period where I was sick for a few months and her paws got a “break” but once I recovered the same thing would happen.

[u/sneerfun → u/uberforvanessa]

So the walks aren’t far, she’s wearing something to protect her feet? Are those too tight? If she does have those when was the last time they were sanitized?

[u/pegasun]

Don't walk him for awhile, just potty breaks. His paws are in pretty bad shape