Ask the Pet Doctor

My dog's foot infection isn't getting better, help!

Question:
Our 4 year old lab has gotten a toe nail fungus and has had several nails removed. The vet gave us Ketoconazole 200mg and Cephalexin 500mg. He told us to soak her paws in iodine water for 5 minutes twice a day for 2 weeks. She will not allow anyone to touch her paws. What else can we do to get her better? I read that Ketoconazole may have been linked to a liver problem. Any insight would be really great!

A:  I would speak to your veterinarian if there is no improvement in your dog's feet.

Fungus, or yeast infections are not easy to get rid of, especially in moist areas, such as the feet.  Ketoconazole can potentially cause elevated liver enzymes,  but this is usually seen with long-term use.  You may want to speak with your veterinarian about whether or not a steroid may help reduce the inflammation and pain in the paws.

Another recommendation would be to soak your dog's feet in Malaseb shampoo for 10 minutes a day.  This shampoo, made by DVM, is an antifungal, antibacterial shampoo that works well for foot infections, as well as skin infections.

Please keep us updated with your dog's progress.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital

Read More Posts from this Blog
Share:  

0 Comments


Golo

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.

You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.

View Comments View Comments


This blog post is closed for comments.

Featured Blogposts
  1. Carolina Parent generic image
    Carolina Parent
    Carolina Parent: Family holiday fun

  2. Kris allen on American Idol
    RaleighWood: Pop culture with a Triangle twist
    Raleighwood: What pop culture stuff are you thankful for?

  3. Dickens Village
    Bill Leslie's Carolina Conversations
    Bill Leslie: Holiday Preparations


Other Recent Blogposts
  1. WRAL WeatherCenter Blog: Dropping the Drought

  2. Brian Shrader's Siteseeing Blog: Tillman the Skateboarding Dog

  3. WRAL WeatherCenter Blog: Edward's impossible sun in "New Moon"

  4. Bill Leslie's Carolina Conversations: Gift Basket Deadline

  5. Brian Shrader's Siteseeing Blog: In the eye of the beholder