Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > Dog health - Ask members * If your pet is vomiting-bleeding-diarrhea etc. Vet time!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 16th, 2002, 07:33 AM
michelle D michelle D is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 2
my dog knaws on his feet

My year and a half year old german shepard mix has been recently been knawing on his front feet. It started about 2 weeks ago and began by licking his paws just like normal when grooming himself. In the last week or so he has begun to knaw more frequently actually sticking his whole foot in his mouth and also pulling out hair and chewing on his toe nails. It hasn't become raw yet but I think it occasionally bothers him as he sometimes limps when we are out for a walk.

We live in a hot climate and the rains have recently started. I have heard of other arthritic dogs that could do this on certain joints that bother them. I have also heard of this being a sign of seperation anxiety, although i don't think he does this while we are gone because i think his feet would be raw. I haven't been able to find any information on animal anxiety.

Any hints or information to what it might be? This situation is eating at my dog and me.....your input would be greatly appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old July 16th, 2002, 07:54 AM
Choc Lab Lover's Avatar
Choc Lab Lover Choc Lab Lover is offline
Lab Loverr
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 109
Maybe..?

"My dog has been biting his nails and (seems to be) pulling his hair from his front toes until they are all red. Tonight, I realize that he is biting it until he is bleeding. What should I do?" .http://www.petsmart.com/dog/answers/behavior/articles/article_10596.shtml#f

For that particular one this is what they suggested...

The first thing to do is to take him to a vet to see if this is a medical condition. If it is not a medical problem, then you can pursue your dogs problem as a behavioral one. Medically, the first thing that I would look into is if you dog has allergies. Both food allergies and allergies to things in the environment (pollens/grasses/etc.) can make a dog chew his feet. They will chew until the feet are raw and infected. If an infection is present that will itch as well, so the chewing continues. I recommend you take him into the veterinarian so that if there is an infection, he can be put on antibiotics and possibly an antihistamine or a steroid to take away the itch. To diagnose food allergy, an "exclusion diet" must be fed for 6-8 weeks to see if the problem improves. If environment is the problem then you may find an antihistamine that works for him and stay on that. Dogs can get allergy shots, just like people do, but it can be expensive.


Seeing you said its been raining maybe its pollen activing up
__________________
Proud mum of Mr. Big. (Lab)
Mr. Big- 11 months old
&
Soon to be proud mum of Gilgamesh. (Olde English Bulldogge)

*Lab Lover [COLOR=red]<3[/COLOR]
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:52 AM.