Canine Medical Advice?

Any dog experts out there?. My pit mix has a weird foot infection on all 4 paws with blistering, puss, bleeding and swelling. Had her to the vet 4 times in 4 months. Tried antibiotics, creams, soaks, betadyne, socks, Epsom salts. The last round was steroids. The steroids helped immediately, but when they ran out it's back worse than ever. Poor girl's almost lame and she lives to run. I'm afraid it will overwhelm her immune system. Vets said they haven't seen it before. Just thought I'd ask if it's something anyone has dealt with, or maybe someone knows an effective home remedy. Getting ready to make another appointment. To make it worse, the Vet keeps charging me for office visits in addition to meds for the follow ups. Thanks for any advice. 

Sorry, not an expert, but I recommend taking her to UC Davis Vet hospital.  My boxers (rest their souls) had multiple "unexplained" ailments and some bouts of cancer that UC Davis treated.

My local Vet was good at checkups but ended up consulting with UC Davis on the strange stuff anyway. I asked for her to give me a referral to Davis and she did. 

Davis is great because they have EVERYTHING you'd ever need in one place... all the specialists are there as is the newest equipment. Best of all, the treatment costs were lower in Davis than for me locally. It was always worth the drive.

Possible yeast infection??? Your vet should be able to diagnose this...UCD vet med for sure

RacinRobs wife Berta is a vet. Shoot him a PM.

I'd guess it is an allergy.  Try changing diet.  My dog had skin problems and when I changed his food to IAMS, he cleared up.  Even the slightest 'wrong' food will throw him off. 

Davis is great because they have EVERYTHING you'd ever need in one place... all the specialists are there as is the newest equipment. Best of all, the treatment costs were lower in Davis than for me locally. It was always worth the drive.

That is a very long drive, for a doctor's visit, for someone who lives in the northeast corner of Utah...unless he has moved closer and has not said anything yet.

Hopefully your vet can figure out what is happening.
Since steroids helped, perhaps it an allergy to a something where she runs, or perhaps there is some toxic plant or substance on the ground where she runs? Could also be an autoimmune disorder.

I will show to Berta tonight and see what she says. Will be hard to have an idea from a couple pics, but who knows? She may have a clue. I will ask this, is your dog licking and chewing at it  lot?

I'd guess it is an allergy.  Try changing diet.  My dog had skin problems and when I changed his food to IAMS, he cleared up.  Even the slightest 'wrong' food will throw him off.

+1

My lab had similar issues with her feet.  It was never fully controlled but I think allergy medications took some of the inflammation away. 

If it truly is an allergy,  a process of elimination could help find the specific allergen.  Could be food or it could be environmental too.

Good luck!

I will show to Berta tonight and see what she says. Will be hard to have an idea from a couple pics, but who knows? She may have a clue. I will ask this, is your dog licking and chewing at it  lot?

Yes, she licks at it constantly. The yard hasn't changed for years. I'll give the improved diet a shot. Thanks guys.

That sounds like a food allergy. Licking paws is one of the biggest signs.

You don't need an improved diet, you need to experiment with the diet. The most common allergy is corn, so first rule out corn. If you want to make it simple, go to the pet store and look for a grain free food. That's a good start. It will be expensive. But it will be cheaper than a vet bill. Buy a small bag, keep the dog on it for at least 2 weeks.

If it gets better stick with it. If not, change the primary meat. So if you have a chicken based food, try beef. Then ox. Then rabbit. Etc etc.

Unless the dog immediately gets worse, rotate through them every 2 weeks to give the food time to show improvement.

Berta asked about diet too.

Dog just needs to go hunting! #deadbird #fetchitup

Good luck Ed!