hi i look after 2 english setters they seem to have a problem with very sore and red feet ive had them to the vets they said it could be a posibility that it could be a reaction to the grass have you come across this before its the first time this year they have been like this thanks for your time i would be gratful of some information

English Setters.Yes I have had this lovely breed for many years.Have been looking for a young bitch for some time with no luck.
Please be careful about this sore red feet, as it could be the early warnings of Diabetes unfortunately.Although as you say it is in 2 this would seem unlikely.

Skin problems in E Setters is widespread, a friend of mine has one with severe allergies and she chews her feet raw.
Dawn.

English Setters are reknown for skin problems and unfortunatly I have had to witness the agony of having a young-ish (6yr old) pts as there was just nothing else for us to try for him. This was many years ago and thankfully there are more drugs and treatments avaliable these days.
Some people think some that breeding lines are more susptable to it than others and certainly dogs and bitches which show any symptoms should NEVER be used for breeding - sadly, they are. and the unsuspecting owners who buy a pup have an upward battle in containing the problem...it rarely is eliminated but there are ways of treating the symptoms. There are breeders who will deny ever having problems and sweeping the problem under the carpet helps no one.
Treatments involve eradicating simpler problems first such as flea allergies, so some sort of flea treatment, then onto various antiobiotics as by the time the dog goes to the vet, it usually has some type of skin infection which needs be cleared up. If the vet is of the "old school" they usually prescribe steroids which mask the problem and it may go away for a time but usually return. There are various medicated shampoos (Malaseb) which can help to dry skin and allows the area to heal more effectively. There will usually be skin scrapings at some point to rule out parasites ie. burrowing mites and there is now a blood test which has recently become avaliable which is sent off to determine whether the dog is allergic to various types of dust mites in the house or different types of trees or grasses.
With my poor Todd, we even tried accupuncture as a last resort but nothing would stop him tearing off bandages we had carefully applied to his feet to try and prevent him knawing at his toes and feet.
There are many other things you can do to help ES. Even though none of my lot do have problems, I am always checking their feet, I always wash their bedding in non bio washing powder....just incase anything sets them off!! If you need any more help, please feel free to email me and I will be happy to pass on any more info that I can.
Sarah

So sorry to hear of your dog's sore paws. I know of quite a few people that have this problem with their dogs and they found that dog boots worked wonders!
All the best,
Patty