Dogs chewing paws?
Discussion
One of our dogs did this, he would lick and chew on his paws until they were raw. I think we checked each paw to make sure there was no injury then just stopped him doing it. By this I mean every time he went to lick his paws we distracted him, call him over, make him retrieve something. He just seemed to stop after a few weeks.
My hound does this occasionally - especially when she's tired (bless!)
If the licking gets too frequent and lengthy I wash her paws in salt water. Ice cream container with a couple of inches of warm water in it and 5 desert spoons of salt.
It seems to dry the paws out (especially in the crevices between the pads) and stops them getting itchy. And she likes the attention!
If the licking gets too frequent and lengthy I wash her paws in salt water. Ice cream container with a couple of inches of warm water in it and 5 desert spoons of salt.
It seems to dry the paws out (especially in the crevices between the pads) and stops them getting itchy. And she likes the attention!
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Trust me, it is horrific, both my vet and I were actually gagging when my dogs were emptied last week. Unfortunatly my dogs glands fill very quickly, the vet cleared them last week and 7 days later they were 3/4 full again which was my fault as I left it too long between clearances and they were backed up. My vet keeps trying to encourage me to do them myself, but it is one thing I glady pay a vet nurse to do.bexVN said:
That really isn't normal at all, no dog should need there glands emptying again 1 wk after they've been done, unless they're infected?
Why don't you get the glands removed. A good surgical vet should be able to do it without complication
It is totally my fault, I had left them too long without getting them emptied. Why don't you get the glands removed. A good surgical vet should be able to do it without complication
My vet didn't mention I can get them removed, when I asked she recomended All Bran, which he now enjoys. Is there any health issues in the long run for a dog which has no anal glands, or is it purely for scenting reasons?
Purely scenting. The all bran may do the job, just make sure your dog down' t get constipated!
Some vets are reluctant to suggest it as it can cause faecal incontinence, however I've this surgery done very successfully over the yrs (I have never seen a dog become permanently incontinent only initially for a few days after)
It'd only be offered if a dog is continually getting problems and nothing else is working and esp when dogs start to dread the procedure.
Problem is over frequent emptying can actually make the problem worse not better.
Eta having just re read your post I've realised you meant that they were so full they had to be properly emptied in two goes. 1 week apart!
If this was a one off then removal probably is a bit of an extreme response.
Some dogs never need them emptying.
Some vets are reluctant to suggest it as it can cause faecal incontinence, however I've this surgery done very successfully over the yrs (I have never seen a dog become permanently incontinent only initially for a few days after)
It'd only be offered if a dog is continually getting problems and nothing else is working and esp when dogs start to dread the procedure.
Problem is over frequent emptying can actually make the problem worse not better.
Eta having just re read your post I've realised you meant that they were so full they had to be properly emptied in two goes. 1 week apart!
If this was a one off then removal probably is a bit of an extreme response.
Some dogs never need them emptying.
Edited by bexVN on Friday 12th October 22:30
Thanks, he loves the vets, but as soon as the gloves go on he does start to worry, which is understandable.
He should go every weeks, or when I spot the signs of discomfort, which ever is earlier, but I let it go to 9 hence the "backlog". I will have a chat to my vet about it, but I think once every 6 weeks is managable. I have never had a dog which needed them emptying once before and it took a while to twig that they needed doing as he dosen't scoot but furiously chews his feet instead. I was lucky my vet suggested checking them before costly bills trying to find the source of irratation.
He should go every weeks, or when I spot the signs of discomfort, which ever is earlier, but I let it go to 9 hence the "backlog". I will have a chat to my vet about it, but I think once every 6 weeks is managable. I have never had a dog which needed them emptying once before and it took a while to twig that they needed doing as he dosen't scoot but furiously chews his feet instead. I was lucky my vet suggested checking them before costly bills trying to find the source of irratation.
Back to feet licking... 
I like to address the subject of diet with this and it can often help. In some cases it can stop it.
Ensuring the diet is free from allergens, which tend to be cereal based products (lots of cheaper foods include these to keep the cost down). Stay free from dairy products, soy and corn.
What is the dog fed presently?
Stress can be another common factor. To combat low level stress I favour a herbal remedy called Scullcap & Valerian from www.dorwest.com
Nick
I like to address the subject of diet with this and it can often help. In some cases it can stop it.
Ensuring the diet is free from allergens, which tend to be cereal based products (lots of cheaper foods include these to keep the cost down). Stay free from dairy products, soy and corn.
What is the dog fed presently?
Stress can be another common factor. To combat low level stress I favour a herbal remedy called Scullcap & Valerian from www.dorwest.com
Nick
nick_j007 said:
Back to feet licking...
I like to address the subject of diet with this and it can often help. In some cases it can stop it.
Ensuring the diet is free from allergens, which tend to be cereal based products (lots of cheaper foods include these to keep the cost down). Stay free from dairy products, soy and corn.
What is the dog fed presently?
Stress can be another common factor. To combat low level stress I favour a herbal remedy called Scullcap & Valerian from www.dorwest.com
Nick
Purina Pro-plan puppy kibble, any good?I like to address the subject of diet with this and it can often help. In some cases it can stop it.
Ensuring the diet is free from allergens, which tend to be cereal based products (lots of cheaper foods include these to keep the cost down). Stay free from dairy products, soy and corn.
What is the dog fed presently?
Stress can be another common factor. To combat low level stress I favour a herbal remedy called Scullcap & Valerian from www.dorwest.com
Nick
It may be stressed, Zoe is very timid, how would you know if she was stressed?
If that's chicken and rice here is the break down: http://www.proplan.com/dry-puppy-food/chicken-rice...
These are not good IMO.
"poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, corn germ meal."
In any event if you're sticking with dried a brand like James Wellbeloved would be free from all this. Wafcol potato and duck is good, but not always very easy to find. J.W. is readily available.
I've been considering this food for mine recently and I'm sure your dog (what breed?) would go made for it. http://www.naturalinstinct.com/products/Puppy.html
In any event I'd change the diet over a 3-4 day period to get away from the ingredients I site
These are not good IMO.
"poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, corn germ meal."
In any event if you're sticking with dried a brand like James Wellbeloved would be free from all this. Wafcol potato and duck is good, but not always very easy to find. J.W. is readily available.
I've been considering this food for mine recently and I'm sure your dog (what breed?) would go made for it. http://www.naturalinstinct.com/products/Puppy.html
In any event I'd change the diet over a 3-4 day period to get away from the ingredients I site
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