This strange biting behavior is getting worse…
For as long as I can remember Dylan has had strange moments where he freaks out and bite’s his hips and rear legs and back.It’s occasional and has been constant through his life. He seems healthy otherwise and has regular medical checkups and is a happy healthy maniac of a dog.
Lately it seems the biting is getting worse. He has been doing it off and on for about an hour. He usually follows it up with excessive licking but not enough to cause irritation to his skin or coat. His coat doesn’t even feel wet when I touch him.
I tried to capture him on video tonight but as soon as he started I woudl turn the camera on and the little beep seemed to cause him some distraction. This video shows a very minor version of what actually goes on. He gets so worked up sometimes he barks at himself and whips and rolls around on the bed.
The strange thing is when I asked Paul last week he said he had never witnessed Dylan doing this. I wonder if it’s mostly at night and Dylan always spends his nights here with me. He spends a lot of days over with Paul and now spends all day every monday with him (and they sleep all day since Paul is on graveyards)….
I need to start journaling it. Starting today!!! Whenever I notice the behavior and about how long he is going at it. He’s still licking and licking now as I write this! Crazy boy! I wonder if it’s a sign of an underlying medical issue but then I think I am way over concerned and rush to the vet for the tiniest things. It’s about time for his yearly visit and I have had a dental scheduled twice that was cancelled twice due to tenant drama. Once the house gets rented I will get him in for an annual physical and bloodwork and dental. I’m just not sure if it’s just a strange behavioral quirk or if it’s a sign that something is wrong?
I’ve been reading on the web a bit lately but lots of information about food allergies. I’m picky about why my dogs eat and Dylan has had all kinds of diets. I also work part time for a holistic pet food company so I know my share about food and food allergies too. I have seen lots of allergic dogs and Dylan has no other signs.
The other thing I am finding lots online is Fleas. We don’t have fleas here in Utah!! I am positive he does not have them!!
Does anyone else have any ideas about what it might be???
I bet it is the food, imho..What about the laundry detergent you use? Could have something to do with it.
Jake has been doing that lately - but mostly on his feet. Not sure if it’s the food (recently switched to Wellness Core) or the Petzyme I have been using on the rug…
Ann´s last blog post..To my #1 Boy……
All of my dogs do that to some extent. I just figured they were scratching places they don’t get to scratch often, maybe they get a sudden itch or something. They don’t do it often or really extreme though. My dogs all like to nibble themselves, and other dogs. They’ll do a bite/nibble like that on eachother, the other dog they are doing it to seem to like it, so I know they aren’t causing harm to themselves when they do it to themselves. I don’t know if its exactly the same thing that Dylan is doing though? Hope he’s okay!
Amy´s last blog post..Just because we’re cute
I am pretty sure it’s not food. He has had sooo many different holistic diets and always done that. I did recently switch him to a lamb based food but he’s still eating partially raw food and he has eaten lamb based foods before.
My detergent is one that is dye and scent free but I Have used different kinds.
It will be interesting to see what I find out. I may call the vet’s office today and ask what they think.
Could it be his Anal Glands? They may need emptying and are irritating him. Our previous Dog used to gnaw his back when they started to annoy him.
Three Dog Blogger´s last blog post..Removing Dog Ticks. How To Remove A Tick From A Dog
That’s an interesting theory. I wonder when my groomer friend gets back from her cruise? He’s due for a nail dremeling anyway!
I don’t have any suggestions really, I just hope that you get the mystery solved soon. Those kind of things can drive a person crazy. LOL
Marie´s last blog post..The Fetching Bag
A friend of mine had a dog that did the same thing. It was mites. Very small so they couldn’t be seen. Eventually the dog bit so much it got sores on its feet and legs. Maybe worth checking out.
We had fleas once… they came in on Duke, a foster lab from Katrina. It was a pain to get rid of them. Aaron actually saw the darn things! But they are gone now. Whew! That was a couple years ago now though… I hope you figure Dylan out!
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