Mum to Emma Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 For about 12 months a friends mini schnauzer has gone through episodes of spinning around in an attempt to bite something that appears to be bothering her at the base of the tail. Sometimes it's the usual sort of calm licking we've all seen in our dogs. At another times the behaviour is quite frantic. She's been tested for a UTI, anal gland problems and is on v expensive flea treatment. But nothing seems to help. I should point out that she will spin around as if to bite her tail at least once an hour except, obviously, when asleep. AND she only ever spins in one direction, to the right. Personally I think they should sedate her to see if a coarse wiry hair is perhaps growing in the vagina or anus. The vet thinks it could possibly be mild seizure like behaviour. Does anyone have any ideas, or seen similar behaviour in a dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I would be looking for a good dog chiro or bowen person to ensure there isn't a muscle issue & the nerves are twitching hence the dog responding . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I would suggest anal gland issue, possible hair growing into the vulva area. Also if she is being clipped, are the groomer's cutting too short or with hot blades and burning her? My bitch has suffered from anal gland issues since rescued and I take her to vet to have them done about every 6 weeks. Another vet opinion needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Lots of good suggestions above. Anal gland issues can be irritating without obvious impaction and swelling. They are easy to express yourself - gloves and a tissue and some treats for the other end :laugh: - might be worth doing them regularly and seeing if it helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 it may not be, but I'd be worried that it is an O C D behaviour It would be interesting to see exactly what happens - is there any common factor ? A sound, action, time when it happens ....all that sort of thing . How many revolutions does the dog do -- one or two, then lose interest ..or can it go on for a couple of minutes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisys Mum Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 My Kelpie does it when she gets excited and ends up trying to catch the brown hairy snake (her tail) but she has emptied her glands on my bed (thank god for dog blankets) so an anal issue is possible as others have said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavsRcute Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Maybe it has become a learned behaviour, or as Perse says, a form of OCD. May need a behaviourist to help your friend redirect the behaviour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum to Emma Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 Thanks for all the feedback. There's no pattern to the behaviour in the sense that it's not brought on by any sort on stimulus, excitement, boredom etc. The only pattern is the turning in one direction. It's like she's suddenly pricked by something. Sometimes the response is more frantic and ongoing than others. The vet has emptied the anal glands and she's also been on antihistamines in case it was a grass allergy. I feel the only way to truly examine her is to anaesthetise her to have a thorough poke around but one doesn't like to knock her out without good reason. And unfortunately she doesn't need her teeth cleaned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Thanks for all the feedback. There's no pattern to the behaviour in the sense that it's not brought on by any sort on stimulus, excitement, boredom etc. The only pattern is the turning in one direction. It's like she's suddenly pricked by something. Sometimes the response is more frantic and ongoing than others. The vet has emptied the anal glands and she's also been on antihistamines in case it was a grass allergy. I feel the only way to truly examine her is to anaesthetise her to have a thorough poke around but one doesn't like to knock her out without good reason. And unfortunately she doesn't need her teeth cleaned! But how long ago were her glands done? The owners could clip/scissor around her vulva area and I am sure the vet (hopefully) has checked to see if there is hair in her vulva? Could be lots of reasons for the behaviour (if OCD) - is the dog walked enough and is it mentally stimulated? Schnauzers are easily bored:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavsRcute Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 My girl Would wake up from a deep sleep and act as though something had bitten her. She would run and try to bite her back end. We finally worked out that she had a muscle spasm and it used to twitch and really worry her. She went to a vet who worked on her trigger points and all was good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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