Paw inflammation between toes causes chronic pain and behavioral changes in affected dogs, with multiple underlying causes requiring systematic diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Pododermatitis causes significant, chronic pain that affects every step a dog takes. Dogs with severe interdigital furunculosis walk reluctantly, lick paws obsessively, and show behavioral signs of constant discomfort. The chronicity of many cases - often reflecting untreated underlying allergic disease - means some dogs suffer for months or years before receiving appropriate diagnosis. Systematic investigation to identify the primary cause (allergy, infection, demodex) rather than repeated courses of antibiotics alone leads to better long-term welfare outcomes.