dog chewing fur

[averley]

i have a 2 year old cocker spaniel who has recently started to chew the fur off 2 of his paw digits. The vet has had a look and although he checked for a broken toe, cut or something lodged bteween his pads couldnt see what was wrong so packed us off with Fuciderm cream (�42 bill !).
Today after a long walk he has an open wound on one of the bald digits which looks sore. I have bathed it with salt water and used the cream but im worried he is still chewing (though only when out of our sight )and he might have an allergy or develop a bad habit cycle of chewing.
He is happy to let you touch his paw and isnt limping at all
Has anyone got any ideas on what could be causing him to chew
Thanks

[sarah_louise]

It is normally stress.

I had a recue dog that did this and she still does after bonfire night fireworks for a few days.
She pulls all the fur from around her lower front leg just above the paw near the side claw.

I would heve thought a vet might have mentioned this as a possiblity.

[terambulan]

It sounds like 'chapped paws' from the damp & wet grass. Dip the paw into warm salted water to seal any abrasions, towel dry and dust with athletes foot-powder.

[jules77]

Get the paw clean and dry and bandage it up to stop him chewing it.

I would use a baby sock with some cohesive bandage over the top to stop it coming off. If you have some spray on bitter bite/apple put that on, and he should leave it alone. When he goes outside put a strong plastic bag over the bandage as you must keep the bandage dry.

If he is allowed to keep licking it, it will become raw and you will ultimately have to have it bandaged up by the vet anyway.

[averley]

thanks for those possibles i will carry on with the salt water and keep him as dry as possible (bit difficult with a spaniel) some one has suggested using Germolene on the sore part to help it heal quicker so will give it a week or so to see any improvement.