I’ve been wanting to post about Snowie’s health issues for a while. But the list is so long I just never knew where to start. Sorry this is a long read.
He’ll be 12 years old in Jan 2024. I forget if it’s the 11th or 12th of Jan!!
Up till a year ago, he was a young dog. Then he suddenly aged. Looking back, I think it was his paws rather than old age.
Almost 2 years ago, he started with an almost imperceptible limp on the front paw. Couldn’t work it out. In hindsight, it was most likely allergies that led to him licking his paws, which removed the hair in between the pads underneath and left the skin bare, which got abraded by the dirt paths, which led to more licking and making the skin raw.
Our regular vet said to dip them after every walk in Bioscrub (chlorohexidine) for infection control. He also gave antibiotics and the limp went away. Finished antibiotics, and the limp came back. Our vet said it was okay to give antibiotics every six months. (In hindsight I completely disagree! Led to far more allergies and skin problems.) Our vet didn’t link the paws to allergies. He just said it’s one of those things with large dogs, their front paws get sore and infected, he didn’t know why, but saw a trend.
Anyway, the dipping did nothing except turn his paws pink (colour of Bioscrub) and he limped worse. So went to the holistic vet (we’d been multiple times to our regular vet). The holistic vet said stop the liquid, must keep paws dry. Use powder. That was a game changer. Paws improved dramatically.
But Snowie’s paws go up and down. When they’re better and we do a longer walk, the right one gets much worse. Yesterday he didn’t want to step on it.
At the pharmacy, the assistant suggested Fullers Earth as a foot powder. On reading up on it, it’s suggested to make a paste and put on wounds and hotspots. Dries out the area and provides a protective barrier. So I did that last night plus gave him pain meds. This morning the paw is a bit better. But a little bloody—he’d licked it overnight, bandage has come off. More paste this morning.
I’m at my wits ends. Walking is such an essential part of his day, but this limp is really bad at the moment.
Added to that:
- Bladder stone. Causes wee in his blood from time to time. Vet said nothing to do, just to scan it regularly and keep an eye on it. Too old for this kind of op.
- Had an op a few months ago to remove another warty lump on his eyelid (inside bottom lid), another lump on his gum (vet said he saw 3 cracked teeth, but Snowie doesn’t show any eating issues so we’re not putting him through a major op), had a few warts removed (from his side, chin, and head); and had his ears and paws thoroughly cleaned under anaesthetic which was a very good thing. Ears are now easier to maintain with regular cleaning. They were very inflamed before the op.
- Arthritic spine, which sometimes causes pain, he walks around stiffly at first on rising. The vet has given Chinese herbs for kidney function that are meant to help the back and hind limbs. No idea how. I only saw this when reading the insert. I’ll ask him at our follow up in January.
- Itchy itchy itchy! He’s on Apoquel, but the holistic vet has given homeopathic meds to try to get him off Apoquel (he’s on both meds at the moment). But he has licked and chewed and scratched patches of fur off his hind legs and chest. I’ve discovered at least the white Fullers Earth paste fills in the gaps!!
- Abscess between back toes. Vet not sure if a foreign object, couldn’t feel a grass seed. Suddenly appeared. I think it’s a grass seed, worst ever grass seed season atm. Lymph node is up on that leg. Vet gave immune support meds. Didn’t want to give antibiotics but rather wait a month to see if goes away. If not, then will need investigation. Not really bothering Snowie. I put Fullers Earth paste on it last night, apparently has a drawing effect. Let’s see…
I feel so sorry for this poor dog. He gets so much joy from going out. But his front paws hinder him.
Here’s a photo of him with his bestie Sunshine. Wearing socks at the beach!

He’ll be 12 years old in Jan 2024. I forget if it’s the 11th or 12th of Jan!!
Up till a year ago, he was a young dog. Then he suddenly aged. Looking back, I think it was his paws rather than old age.
Almost 2 years ago, he started with an almost imperceptible limp on the front paw. Couldn’t work it out. In hindsight, it was most likely allergies that led to him licking his paws, which removed the hair in between the pads underneath and left the skin bare, which got abraded by the dirt paths, which led to more licking and making the skin raw.
Our regular vet said to dip them after every walk in Bioscrub (chlorohexidine) for infection control. He also gave antibiotics and the limp went away. Finished antibiotics, and the limp came back. Our vet said it was okay to give antibiotics every six months. (In hindsight I completely disagree! Led to far more allergies and skin problems.) Our vet didn’t link the paws to allergies. He just said it’s one of those things with large dogs, their front paws get sore and infected, he didn’t know why, but saw a trend.
Anyway, the dipping did nothing except turn his paws pink (colour of Bioscrub) and he limped worse. So went to the holistic vet (we’d been multiple times to our regular vet). The holistic vet said stop the liquid, must keep paws dry. Use powder. That was a game changer. Paws improved dramatically.
But Snowie’s paws go up and down. When they’re better and we do a longer walk, the right one gets much worse. Yesterday he didn’t want to step on it.
At the pharmacy, the assistant suggested Fullers Earth as a foot powder. On reading up on it, it’s suggested to make a paste and put on wounds and hotspots. Dries out the area and provides a protective barrier. So I did that last night plus gave him pain meds. This morning the paw is a bit better. But a little bloody—he’d licked it overnight, bandage has come off. More paste this morning.
I’m at my wits ends. Walking is such an essential part of his day, but this limp is really bad at the moment.
Added to that:
- Bladder stone. Causes wee in his blood from time to time. Vet said nothing to do, just to scan it regularly and keep an eye on it. Too old for this kind of op.
- Had an op a few months ago to remove another warty lump on his eyelid (inside bottom lid), another lump on his gum (vet said he saw 3 cracked teeth, but Snowie doesn’t show any eating issues so we’re not putting him through a major op), had a few warts removed (from his side, chin, and head); and had his ears and paws thoroughly cleaned under anaesthetic which was a very good thing. Ears are now easier to maintain with regular cleaning. They were very inflamed before the op.
- Arthritic spine, which sometimes causes pain, he walks around stiffly at first on rising. The vet has given Chinese herbs for kidney function that are meant to help the back and hind limbs. No idea how. I only saw this when reading the insert. I’ll ask him at our follow up in January.
- Itchy itchy itchy! He’s on Apoquel, but the holistic vet has given homeopathic meds to try to get him off Apoquel (he’s on both meds at the moment). But he has licked and chewed and scratched patches of fur off his hind legs and chest. I’ve discovered at least the white Fullers Earth paste fills in the gaps!!
- Abscess between back toes. Vet not sure if a foreign object, couldn’t feel a grass seed. Suddenly appeared. I think it’s a grass seed, worst ever grass seed season atm. Lymph node is up on that leg. Vet gave immune support meds. Didn’t want to give antibiotics but rather wait a month to see if goes away. If not, then will need investigation. Not really bothering Snowie. I put Fullers Earth paste on it last night, apparently has a drawing effect. Let’s see…
I feel so sorry for this poor dog. He gets so much joy from going out. But his front paws hinder him.
Here’s a photo of him with his bestie Sunshine. Wearing socks at the beach!

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