Dog Symptoms Licking
If Dog Licking is Normal, Then What is Considered Excessive? Dog Symptoms of Licking
When your dog begins to lick himself repeatedly time and time again, now is the time to pay close attention to your dog’s licking symptoms.
Your dog may lick himself to the point of self mutilation. He can do this for a variety of reasons. Your dog may just be plain bored or stressed out which causes him to begin licking his paws, legs or other body parts. He may do this when he has nothing else to entertain him. Does your dog constantly follow you; sit down when you sit and then just lick? If so, he’s looking for something to do. When was the last time you walked him?
Just like us humans, we all have our not so healthy tendencies and quirks we habitual do when we are bored and in need of some entertainment. If you ever stand at the grocery store while waiting in line, take a look at other people and just observe what they naturally do. What little sneaky habits do they do to entertain themselves because they are getting anxious or bored while in line?
Dogs do the same thing. Someone may twirl her thumbs or constantly run her hand through her hair without even thinking about it. Dogs lick their paws and other limbs out of bad habit if nothing is irritating them.
Dogs are used to being worked – they were bred and domesticated for this reason by our ancestors thousands of years ago. Now that we live in modern, urbanized cities, their roles as workers have dropped (unless you work on a farm and still need them for herding sheep or hunting). A dog’s purpose in our life has transformed itself in the modern 21st century from help for survival to a fury friend with loads of energy.
Other dog symptoms for licking may result in open wounds and lesions on his or her body. This could cause an infection which could lead to bacteria being spread throughout the rest of his body via the bloodstream causing severe health issues if not attacked at the source.
When a newborn pup first comes into our world, the mother will lick the puppies clean to remove any natal debris. The licking also encourages the puppies to begin breathing and helps to stimulate the bowels to go to the bathroom. However, no evidence suggests that excessive licking at birth by the mother would result in it being a learned habit and causing health problems later on in life.
Finally, allergies could be the culprit of your dog’s excessive licking. If you suspect allergies, then document the dog’s symptoms of licking and bring him to your veterinarian. He may say it is time to perform an allergy test and provide possible solutions of treatment for your animal. However, do be aware of the fact that allergy tests for animals are not cheap. In fact, they can run as high as $300 just for one dog.
When the vet performs the test, your dog will be placed under some mild anesthesia so the doctor can perform the tests without the dog constantly trying to run away. At the end of the procedure – which doesn’t take more than 20-30 minutes max – your dog will be a little drowsy. However, the vet should use another drug that’s an reverses the anesthesia that was used in the first place. This helps to wake up the dog a little bit. Your dog will have a shaved patch on his underside, but the hair will all grow back in a few short weeks.
At this point, your veterinarian will discuss the different treatment methods available to you. Consider the options wisely and think of your budget as well. Now that you understand some possible dog symptoms for licking, you can help your dog feel more at ease and relaxed when properly addressed through the right kind of medical treatment.
October 15, 2008 under 
Dog Health Care
Tags: dog health, Dog Health Care, dog health problems, dog symptoms, dog symptoms licking, dog symptoms licking the floor
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my 6 month old dog constantly licks people wherever he can reach, arms, hands, face, etc. when he is saying ‘hi’
Is there a way to stop this habit?
I got your free report! thanks for it.
Thank you so much for this information. My chihauhau was experiencing this licking excessively to biting or knawing. We knew he did not have fleas but after getting two veterinarians opinions, the diagnosis was scabies. Medication and shots finally managed to relieve our little Max from his itching and biting. Scabies is difficult to detect as it is under the skin that is why we were not able to pin point it. I started adding a little flax seed oil to his meals he now hows silky soft fur. Cheap Edmonton Hotels