My gsd had managed to chew a horrid bit between his toes and has finished the ab's and steroid he was given Now it has all healed but he is now  chewing the other one and occasionally the original paw. Neither vet or I can find anything so I have tried thornit ( vet thinks it could just be the weather ??)
Now question is how often do I use thornit ? would you also try piriton (not together or I wont know what the cure was )
This is second time this has happened and about the same time of year last time it stopped after 6 weeks of ab's   btw

Sounds like an allergic response so if it were me:

I'd rinse each paw with a dilute solution of hibiscrub after every walk and again when the dog is in for the evening (knowing that the evenings are often prime time for nibbling!).  Just dunk the paws into a jug or use a cat litter tray to walk through, but do dry thoroughly as damp paws encourage licking and chewing.

I would also give some Piriton initially then I'd see if the regular bathing was enough to reduce the itching.  However, if the chewing persists I'd give a regular dose of Piriton too.  (I don't use Thornit for this type of problem).

Thanks dab I said allergy to the vet but he didnt agree. Has given him a clean bill of health. I decided that was acceptable for now the and would rather  try other methods myself rather more ab's
You have it in one dad evenings and night times yep occasionlly in mornings when out, no 
So next question how much piriton for a 40k gsd and do you just by otc human type ? best place to buy hibiscrub I bought my last lot from the vet and it was soooo expensive
Next question that I forgot I removed a tick about 3 weeks ago from his ear the inside. Sure I got it all as I could see the mouth parts wiggling, it was still very tiny so hadnt been there long I suppose. Whispa now has a small swelling at the tick sight that has been getting bigger. vet was puzzled but not worried is this normal ?

I have one dog with severe allergies but I've also got another who has experienced a one off irritation that presented with similar symptoms so it needn't be a big issue, or the start of something, although it's interesting that your boy had this problem same time last year...  If you Google human hay fever in August/September you should find a list of probable allergens. 

My allergy boy is a 30kg gundog and he is allowed up to 6 x 4mg Piriton tablets a day.  Unless he is suffering really badly I generally give him 2 with breakfast and 2 with his evening meal though.  If I ever give Piriton to one of my other dogs I generally give 2 to hit the problem on the head then reduce to one.  It's worth mentioning though that not every dog responds to Piriton.

Re ticks I try and apply some topical antiseptic on the tick site as soon as I've removed the tick but it isn't always easy to see where it was.  Nowadays I mark a few hairs with felt tip beforehand so I can find the spot again!!  I wouldn't worry too much about the lump, it might be that the tick disgorged a little blood during removal but some swelling is normal particularly on thin skin areas.  I suspect you are just noticing it more as it isn't covered with hair :)  You can keep this lump clean with a dab of Hibiscrub too and some Aloe Vera for cooling might also help. 

Places to buy: I've bought Hibiscrub and Piriton at Hyperdrug before but the last time I needed Piriton they didn't have any.  The one you want is the same for humans but I buy it in pots of 500 for about £9.  Give me a mo and I can check where I got it from last...   I buy my Hibiscrub in catering sizes too (5 litres) but you can buy smaller amounts from most Chemists (Lloyds was a lot cheaper than Boots though when a friend bought some).

Thank you so much dab off to lloyds tomorrow and you are quite right he is avery hairy long haired gsd so he rarely get ticks and I can't see his skin after. His inner ear is different. Will try piriton and see what happens. Having said all this he is happily snoozing at my feet atm and no chewing at  all.

Hmm out of stock at Hyperdrug, and Chemist 4U which is where I bought it from last time, also Animal Meds which was recommended by someone on here once shows it as unavailable to buy online!  Mnd you I do try and avoid buying it in prime hay fever season so perhaps that's the problem.

If I were you I'd pay a bit more and buy both at the chemist for now then if you think it's worth having in your medicine cupboard you could take the time for a proper rummage through the online sellers.

I hope it provides Whispa with the relief he needs - I hate seeing an itchy dog, they always look a bit glum - poor lad xx

Glum yes :) its horrid he has been kind of just looking into space not himself. Will go to chemist tomorrow and get him started shame I did have some piriton but have used it on sneezy humans ! Don't think hot weather has helped he gets so hot but hates water so won't paddle or be sprayed

Can I use only piriton or will any antihistamine be ok ? I have just found another one in my first aid kit

I only use Piriton but the active ingredient in that is in other medications too.  Give your vet a ring and ask

thanks will do 

Someone recommended Yumega Oil for seasonal itches! Not sure if it went with food or on the actual itchy spot.

Diatomateous earth powder worked brilliantly on Robbie's feet when he was licking them red raw, i didn't find thornit powder worked very well for him.

Thanks helen have some of that too :)
all things to try other than ab's He doesnt seem to bad tonight dont know if the weather has affected anything he is allergic too

Chris, I've just started using the zoflora you recommended and even though I wash it away thoroughly after brushing it into the astroturf and the paving, Nando's feet are really itching him now. I've washed with a hibiscrub type scrub but he is still itching them a bit and biting his nails.

Didn't expect that say sorry to ,Nando :)

LOL- it's not your fault! I wasn't blaming you, just wanted to let you know in case it was what is causing Whispa's itch.

did you dilute the Zoflora before using it?  You just then slosh some of the diluted disnfectant into a bucket of water.  It's far to concentrated to use neat.

I do use the diluted Zoflora to spot treat using a spray bottle and a few squirts as a mist after mopping up accidents and have never (luckily) had issues with the dogs feet, even with pups.

I must say its an one . I use it as you do Brainless and never had a problem with any. Of them before

Thats interesting to know we have just had astro turf put down in our back garden and the builder told us to get some stuff off the internet to clean it down with but i was concerned about Robbie's skin, have i read right on here that you guys use zoflora weakened down and just through over the grass to get rid of the smells??

some of us too although parrysite seems to have n itchy problem with nandos since I recommended it. The other one I use is mistral but you have to buy quite large quantities although you get a wide choice of lovely smells. What do you use on the kitchen floor can you use the same on the astroturf ?

Oh yes, there is nowhere near enough to use it neat! LOL I diluted it as per instructions, chucked the diluted disinfectant about before scrubbing it into the artificial grass and the pavement, and then hosing it down, brushing the water down the drain as I went. My Mum has used it today (without me knowing) and his feet are fine so I think perhaps he was itchy from something else!

I use flash in the kitchen.

I wish you were closer Chris as I'd really like to order some mistral but I can't justify that much money on 25 litres of disinfectant! Wish we could split an order!

yes it would be handy :) can you use flash for the garden now that does sound daft ! I use ordinary washing powder preferrably bio indoors if not using zoflora. Just noticed the other bit maybe it wasnt zoflora hope so because then yu can choose the smell of your grass lol
Does Mum do that every day ? Thats one reason I dont think I could have artificial I could see it adding to the ocd and I would have to wash and hoover it every day !!!

I do swill it most days with some sort of detergent, usually bio washing powder and warm water, but that is more because of the fact Niamh plays there and Nando eats his RMBs on the lawn.

Sorry this is late I have only just joined the forum.  I have a dog who bites his paws and scratches his face until they bleed and get infected.  I found some chinese herbal tablets called skin-eze last year from allergicpet and they work a treat, even stopped him scratching within 48 hours.  I only need to give him them in the summer and I always keep a jar in the cupboard for his next flare up.  The bad news is you have to get them from the US as they are not sold in the UK and they are not cheap but they really are worth the money (all in all they cost me less than the vets fees, antibiotics and steroids did).  I have never had problems with customs and they usually arrive in 3/4 working days.

Just wondering if the itchy feet in the late summer time might be caused by harvest mites.  Do you walk your dogs in fields at all?  We never had a problem until about 3-4 years ago then one summer we picked up the mites from somewhere - not even sure where now - but have unknowingly transferred them to our own field...so now all our dogs get them around this time every summer.  We treat with Frontline spray rubbed in to the feet.  A neighbour's dogs also gets them and he said the vet suggested piriton for the itching as well.  You cant see the mites but they drive the dogs mad!

I am wondering that too. Have got him on piriton now and tonight he seems better.

Not able to read all but I would use piriton everyday in the summer 1 tablet and look to see if there any any orange dots inbetween toes which are Harvest Mites, our have just got them. if so, spray with Frontline. if feet are clear I would wash after each walk with warm water and a very small amount of mild medicated shampoo.