Stinky paws?

[FlamesGirl]

My parents' 16 yr old border collie has recently had very stinky paws. Stinky to the point of smelling them while in the same room as him. My dad gave him a bath before finally realizing the source of the smell was his paws, not his coat. Even with washing his paws, the smell comes back within a day or two. Any ideas what could be causing this? Nothing in his routine has changed - same food, same flooring, same car he gets a ride in to work each day, just smelly, old-running-shoe smelling paws.

I recommended baby wipes to get the smell off each day but that's not solving the problem, just masking it. Any help would be appreciated!

[happycats]

He may have some kind of fungus (like athletes foot in humans ) try bathing his paws in a warm water and white vinegar solution twice a day to see if that helps.

[bendyfoot]

I was thinking along the same lines-yeast: it can be pretty stinky-cheesy. I'd ask the vet for a swab of the skin there to see what's growing, so you can treat it properly.

[rainbow]

Is he licking his feet/paws? I would think he would do that if it was a yeast infection as it would be itchy.

Dogs perspire through their paws but most people think they smell like popcorn, corn chips, etc.

[FlamesGirl]

Thanks for the thoughts. I'll try the vinegar/water solution and if that doesn't help, off to the vet's we go!

Rainbow - it's definitely not normal sweaty paw smell. It smells like running shoes after people have been walking in them for 8 hours plus on a hot day. With no socks. Very stinky and he's never smelled like this before. Oh and he's not licking his paws at all. I don't think it's bothering him in the least. Poor old guy, a trip to the vet is not what his old system needs.

Here's a pic of him at approx 16 yrs earlier this year. Our family's first rescue dog!

[mirtilo]

He's so handsome! I hope the paws situation clears up soon

[happycats]

Awwwwww what a sweet old soul !!

[rainbow]

What a handsome old boy.

I hope the vinegar/water solution helps ....keep us updated.

[FlamesGirl]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Unfortunately, Jake went to the rainbow bridge this morning after not being able to stand/get up. He was a very sweet little angel and my family's first rescue dog. Thanks to him, at least 2 more dogs were saved as he was such an ambassador for rescues, my brother and I each got a rescue dog when we moved out. We had him for 12 years and he lived a great life right til the end. It's a very sad day.

[Bailey_]

Oh no, so sorry FG!!! Sending your family .

I hope you don't mind me asking if you found out what was wrong?

[Macomom]

My condolences.

[happycats]

OMG I am so sorry! My condolences
sweet little one

[rainbow]

OH NO .....I am so sorry. My deepest condolences to you and your family.


Sweet Handsome Jake