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Dog Lick, Lick, Licking


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I posted a thread a while ago about my dog and his licking frenzies, it's here http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...&hl=licking

Well he hasn't done it for many months, but he's doing it again today. I can't find anything that has set it off. He just started licking the corners of the room, the floor, the wall, and then vomited. Then he licked again and vomited again.

I've found that taking him for a walk seems to take his mind of it and settle him down a bit, so we did that. At first he was diving for any piece of grass he could get to, but after about 10 minutes of walking where he couldn't get to grass, he settled down and seemed to be fine. As soon as we got to grass he'd try to eat it again. He then vomited again. I walked him again but it didn't seem to help.

I took him inside and had him do a down stay. He wanted to lick but I corrected him when he started, and he then stopped. When I don't watch him he licks though.

I've given him a treat in case it was a bad taste on his tongue, it hasn't helped. I've also given him a drink and it didn't seem to make a difference.

He's now in his crate doing a down stay, but he's trying to lick his mat and the sides of the crate :banghead:

Normally I'd take him to the vet, but I did take him once when this happened, and the vet couldn't find anything. She said it was just a bad taste on his tongue.

Does anyone have any ideas? About what might have caused it or how to help him? He was acting totally normal before this started. I've been through the suggestions from the other thread and they were helpful to go through, but I've eliminated all of them as he was fine before it started, and he doesn't have access to any detergents or anything.

:mad

Edited by Baby Dragon
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a bad taste on his tongue??? :mad I don't think so. I'd be asking another vet, I think :banghead:

I firmly believe it is nausea causing him to do this . he is feeling awful, feels sick ..and can't do anything about it. Did you try the ginger tablets/oil I suggested last year? did it help?

don't correct him- just put him somewhere safe.he can't help it ... and it may make him anxious . It's like correcting yourself when you are sitting with your head hanging over a basin , shivering and retching.....

will he eat? Maybe a small SNACK of a couple of bikkies ?Would he drink ginger ale /ginger beer? Just a few laps ?

Is he swallowing a lot as well.. or just licking?

Any chance he has swallowed a grass awn?

stock-photo-green-foxtail-barley-a-roadside-grass-33832345.jpg

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Puppies will make themselves vomit.

It's something they do, they seems to know which grass to eat as well.

My girl would drink sea-water and then vomit, and then do it again the next time.

My four dogs still eat grass to make themselves vomit.

Having said that, you will know if it's the same thing or something to be watched closely.

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a bad taste on his tongue??? :mad I don't think so. I'd be asking another vet, I think :banghead:

I firmly believe it is nausea causing him to do this . he is feeling awful, feels sick ..and can't do anything about it. Did you try the ginger tablets/oil I suggested last year? did it help?

don't correct him- just put him somewhere safe.he can't help it ... and it may make him anxious . It's like correcting yourself when you are sitting with your head hanging over a basin , shivering and retching.....

will he eat? Maybe a small SNACK of a couple of bikkies ?Would he drink ginger ale /ginger beer? Just a few laps ?

Is he swallowing a lot as well.. or just licking?

Any chance he has swallowed a grass awn?

Yep he's swallowing a lot. I gave him a pigs ear and some oil from a can of mackerel. He seems to have settled since then...

I don't think he swallowed a grass thing, he's hardly been out today, it's raining.

I won't correct him for eating grass anymore, I just won't take him near it.

I feel so stupid, I didn't try the ginger like you suggested. I just forgot... this happens like twice a year and I forgot about getting something for it :party:

Most of the shops are shut, but I could go and buy some ginger ale today if he keeps doing it.

Talking to hubby, I found out he gave him some raw chicken about 45 mins before this started today. There's nothing wrong with the chicken. But I'm wondering if he got some caught in his throat or something? And thinking about it, this usually happens at night... and he gets fed at night. Maybe it's food related? Maybe it's something stuck in his throat? I just had a look with a torch and couldn't find anything. Right now he's settled in his crate, the mackerel oil seemed to help.

Edited by Baby Dragon
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I have been told and have also found it to be true that dogs often lick when they are in pain.

If your dog is nauseous then I would suggest you give him nothing to eat.

IMO a piggy ear (fat) and fish oil would not be the way to settle an upset stomach. What do you think would happen if you were to eat fatty foods when you felt sick in the stomach?? :banghead:

It will do the dog no harm at all to go without food for 24 hours as long as he has clean water to drink at all times and does not get dehydrated.

That will give his stomach a chance to calm down, then start him back on a bland diet, ie chicken & rice - no treats.

It may be that it is a touch of colitis or just a random bug but this is the tried and true way of treating an upset stomach in dogs.

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Glad he's settled ..tho I would have given him plain bikkies- not oil :mad Hopefully this is it for another few months :banghead:

I didn't read your post until after I'd given it to him... I thought oil might dislodge anything stuck... will remember bikkies for next time though thanks!

Edited by Baby Dragon
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It could be a behavioral problem, maybe? I knew a dog once that would get into an anxious state and start licking the floors and because he felt sick from licking up all the dirt and fibers from the floor he would feel sick and he would vomit. Maybe plug a DAP unit in your house or consult a professional.

I just thought I would put the behavioral side out there :banghead:

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Thank you, it might be this.

He has settled but is still coughing occasionally, swallowing a bit more than usual and licking the floor when let out of his crate. So I have him in his crate at the moment.

I haven't fed him tonight, I don't know if I should. His stomach might need a break.

He seems calm and happy though.

Edited by Baby Dragon
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I would still think of a grass seed - they can lodge in the throat - it happens to our dogs .. they swallow, eat grass and lick a bit ....Most times the seed moves..but we have had them get the odd abscess when one stayed put :) it might be an idea to think of/write down what has happened the past day or so- in case it is anxiety based? A D A P diffuser may be handy when he's feeling ill, anyway- just to help him relax :)

Edited by persephone
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