Maybe you already mentioned "how" you are feeding Mattie. Just in case you haven't tried using a small syringe (with/out the needle, of course) to feed Mattie. I saw you were feeding the a/d...I used to add a little warm water and suction it up in a syringe to feed...you could probably do that with yogurt to but keep it cold since she likes the cold.
The syringe provides any easy way to get the food into the back of the mouth so that more is swallowed.
Keeping Mattie and you in our thoughts and prayers.
Oh my! I don't know how I missed these messages. I am heartbroken to hear about all the trouble Mattie and you are having. I have no suggestions but wish the professionals involved would have handled things differently. And, to be blunt surgery is supposed to improve their quality of life not destroy it. Someone should've done a lot more explaining about what complications could be experienced before this surgery was even started!
That said, Mattie and you are in our thoughts and hoping for the best
There are so many causes of allergies so if you don't think that is it I wouldn't go there.....since Dempsey's done this before when he is anxious maybe he needs more soothing massages all over with a t-shirt on
Could Dempsey be having an allergic reaction to something? Licking paws and legs sometimes is a sign of an allergy (any kind of allergy, meds, grass, pollen, etc) in dogs.