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My dog has red, itchy paws and ears. Is it allergies or infection?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Male | unneutered | 10 months and 2 days old | 50 lbs

Hi, my dog has been having allergic reactions to his food, we changed his diet and his skin appeared to get better, now he has these really bad reddenned areas that are itchy and painful to him. Im not sure if its allergies or a bacteria or what? It is in between his paws and in one of his ears. What can I do? Thank you!

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Elva Ma DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 3rd, 2018

Hello! And thank you for your question and photos. It looks like Zeus is having a flare up of his allergies, worsened by secondary bacterial infection. It looks severe enough to require antibiotics, so I would recommend going to see your vet. They can perform a microscope test for bacteria or yeast in the ear and between the paws, and from there prescribe the appropriate ear drops and antibiotics, as well as anti-inflammatory allergy medicine. In the meantime, try soaking his feet in a shallow bath of Epsom salts and lukewarm water for 10 minutes twice a day. This will help provide some relief for his irritated feet. I would also use an ear cleaner designed for dogs to gently clean out some of the ear debris, if he will let you. Finally, I would recommend putting an e-collar (cone) on his head to prevent further scratching and licking of his skin. I hope this helps, and that Zeus feels better soon!

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    Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on November 20th, 2018

    Those all sound like there could be an infection ongoing, or even an issue with food allergies that isn't under control yet, and the eye looks very swollen which should be examined ASAP before it worsens. Let your parents know the "what for" on going to the vet is so that a sample of the affected skin can be tested and sent to a lab to determine if treatment with medication will help, or that a food trial can be started under your vet's supervision to help provide relief and keep your dog from scratching herself to death. In the meantime, an Elizabethan (cone) collar or a T-shirt to protect the itchy areas from becoming more irritated with scratching is a good idea to provide some relief until you can get to your vet.

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