Dog licking himself all the time

[renaissancewoman101]

My friend's dog, Jasper, is constantly licking at himself, esp his joints. He licks his fur by his joints constantly. A bit excessive to the point that even we notice.

 

PixelPusher just posted about his dog licking herself all the time and that it was a sign of dental problems. Is that true.

 

I know Jasper has some dental issues. He has a hard time eating hard food and has had some teeth removed in the past.

 

He is a rescue dog.

 

Sometime in the near future I will take him to the vet and have them take a look at his teeth. My best friend is a bit on the cheap side, but he does love the dog. His bf and I do take care of him though.

[hers]

I'd take him to the vet. It could be something you can't see. Have the vet examin him.

[renaissancewoman101]

I plan to do that the next time I see them all, which won't be until a few weeks from now.

 

I will probably be the one to take him to the vet since my best friend is way busy and his bf doesn't want to pay for it. I care about him and have come to mother him, just like I do my guinea pigs.

[hers]

Why does he have a dog if he doesn't want to pay for it?????

[TechResQ]

Licking can be a sign of several things.

 

If dogs constantly like their feet and toes, it could be inhalant allergies or grass allergies. Sometimes it's just a bad habit or an emotional repsonse to something.

 

I agree, they may want to take him to their veterinarian to determine the cause. They will probably do some bloodwork as well as a thorough physical exam.

[renaissancewoman101]

Why does he have a dog if he doesn't want to pay for it?????

 

Hers, its a long story.

 

Here is the background thread:

 

 

 

My best friend loves the dog, but he tends to be irresponsible AND a tightwad about things (he just called me complaining about money and his investments). His bf cleans up after the dog and feeds him. I get him the treats and have offered to pay for some of his vet care should he need it.

[renaissancewoman101]

TechRes, he is constantly licking at his joints and butthole! (TMI)

[TechResQ]

TechRes, he is constantly licking at his joints and butthole! (TMI)

 

What breed of dog is he? If he's a mix, what is the mix? If you know...

[renaissancewoman101]

He's a pointer mix.

 

If you check the thread that I've linked to this thread, there are two pics of him on pg 2.

[hers]

Um, you can't give people raw chicken. I don't get why he'd think you can give it to a dog?

[TechResQ]

He's a pointer mix.

 

If you check the thread that I've linked to this thread, there are two pics of him on pg 2.

 

He's beautiful! Well if it is a constant thing, and it isn't limited to his toes or feet...it almost sounds behavioral or psychological. Again, the vet can determine the best course of action. As you already know.

[renaissancewoman101]

Hers, I know. They've stopped doing that though (after my friend got mad at his bf for doing that).

 

Please don't be critical. They do love that dog and I know my best friend. He's an animal lover and will give the dog a good life. He's just a bit childlike in that he expects me and his bf to care for and clean up after the dog.

[hers]

Is this the best friend who you have said you need to separate yourself from b/c he's unhealthy for you?

 

I'm not being critical. I hate whenpeople are irresponsible with their pets. It's a sore subject.

[renaissancewoman101]

He's beautiful! Well if it is a constant thing, and it isn't limited to his toes or feet...it almost sounds behavioral or psychological. Again, the vet can determine the best course of action. As you already know.

 

Yes, I know.

 

When I do get the time to go up there on a Sat, I will let him and his bf know and then take Jasper to the vet.

[renaissancewoman101]

Is this the best friend who you have said you need to separate yourself from b/c he's unhealthy for you?

 

I'm not being critical. I hate whenpeople are irresponsible with their pets. It's a sore subject.

 

Hers, yes, its my best friend (the guy who doesn't always treat me so well). He loves dogs but doesn't have time for one. Recently they decided to rent a nice house in a very nice area and his bf decided to adopt a dog since he thought it would make my best friend happy (which it has). Only thing is, best friend works too much and doesn't like to clean up after the dog, but his bf does it. He also feeds the dog since he comes home earlier than my friend. I buy the treats and bring it over on the weekends and I recently bought him some Frontline flea treatment.

 

The dog won't get neglected. The bf does like the dog and takes care of the dog, and I also love the dog too. I'll just have to expend some money on the dog (and if it is a major issue, I know my best friend will pay for it, although he'll grumble about it).

 

It is a weird friendship, that gets complicated with the addition of a dog.

[hers]

You shouldn't be responsible for the dog at all though! The friendship is very unhealthy, Ren. You are not his doormat!

[renaissancewoman101]

Hers, I'm not trying to defend him. We have a very complicated relationship and part of me is like a "mother" to him. I do take care of him emotionally.

 

I don't know why I got attached to his dog, considering I am deathly afraid of most dogs. I was attacked by a dog when I was a little kid and since then, most dogs scare the crap outta me.

[hers]

it's easy to get attached to dogs. they're amazing. i'm attached to all of my clients' animals, but i don't pay for them to get taken care of. i also don't give them free visits just b/c i like what i do so much. you have to look out for yourself and your responsibilities.

 

sorry, i dont mean to sound forceful or anything. i just know you can't save them all, ya know?

[lavenderdove]

He could have allergies, but that can also be a sign of mange (a type of mites), or a vitamin deficiency.

 

My dog started licking his joints and hind end and it turned out to be mange which needed treatment.

 

I'd take the dog the vet, but you could try giving the dog Benadryl to see if it stops itching so much (in which case it is allergies). And you can buy dog vitamins to make sure he is getting the proper mix.

 

Licking can also be a sign the dog is in pain and trying to distract itself. Given that he was feeding the dog raw chicken and bones, it might be a defiiency.

[renaissancewoman101]

I'll take the dog to the vet sometime in the next few weeks. I just have to find time to go up by them on a Sat (can't this week, not sure about next weekend, and will be out of town Memorial Day weekend).

 

If he is suffering from mange (mites), will Revolution take care of that problem?

[lavenderdove]

btw, many dogs have pollen allergies just like people do, and they can also be allergic to fleas, so you might take him in to get evaluated to make sure it is nothing serious.

 

My vet said to give dogs 1 mg of Benadryl for every lb., so a 25 lb dog would take one capsule, and a 50 lb. dog 2 capsules. Benadryl is cheap and effective.

 

But you should get him checked out as mange can be quite serious if left untreated, and the dog could start getting hot spots (infections and inflammation) from licking itself too much.

[lavenderdove]

yes, Revolution should take care of mange. But if he has a bad case, he may need to be treated with another med the doctor gives as well. I had to give my dogs a couple courses of Ivomec, and now use Revolution monthly.

 

But to me it sounds like it could be allergies, especially in spring when the pollen is high (and summer for the grasses and weeds).

[renaissancewoman101]

I think he already has some hot spots (areas where it is red and has no fur from him licking so much).

 

I'm not good with dogs since I don't know much about their ailments.

 

BTW

[lavenderdove]

If he has hot spots he does need to go to the vet to get antibiotics.