[BookerMoose]

I did a quick search here and didn't really find anything helpful, so I decided to start a new thread.

Moosie has decided to practice some OCD behaviour and lick (and lick and lick) his front leg into a nice big hot spot... The vet has wrapped it up to try to stop the licking cycle but he keeps licking regardless, and trying (sometimes successfully) to take off the bandage. A cone really won't work because he could still reach the spot (unless we used an enormous cone, perhaps...) so I'm wondering if anyone has any other suggestions...

Thanks!

 

[beaglesmom]

I assume you've ruled out allergies or some other physical problem as the "cause" since you've obviously had a vet involved.
I have a friend in Canada who had this problem with one of her dogs - and her vet used some sort of liquid bandage on the spot - apparently it has a NASTY taste and it stopped the licking. You might ask your vet about that. He must not have a problem with bandaging it - so perhaps that might work. If you don't mind, I'll post this on BB to see if anyone there has any suggestions.

 

[BookerMoose]

Quote:Originally posted by beaglesmom:
If you don't mind, I'll post this on BB to see if anyone there has any suggestions.

Sure - that would be great. Thanks!

 

[beaglesmom]

Reading another post on here reminded me of something I should have thought about. I had a keeshond when I lived in Sacramento who had an allergy to FLEAS. The poor girl was so allergic if one came even CLOSE to her she would chew herself raw. It was years ago before they had all the new treatments that are so effective - and I spent so much time and money with "flea control". At least once a month I'd take the dogs to the groomer, while they were there I'd "flea bomb" the house, and use yard and kennel spray in the yards. It was a never-ending fight because the neighborhood cats would come into the yard at night and drop their little "visitors" all over. Poor Sasha had so many vet visits - steroids would give her some relief, but I hate prednisone because of all the side effects. The post that reminded me of this was about Summer's skin problems - partially caused by fleas - many dogs are highly allergic to fleas and will chew/lick themselves constantly. Just a thought. There are some prescription ointments that are soothing and very effective. As soon as I hear from my group I'll let you know.

 

[beaglesmom]

One of my Assistant Managers on Beagle Bay wrote the following - she'd had experience with a "licker" - plus she's had a lot of "dog experience" and she has good advice.

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Vets kill me.....why didn't spray the area with the bandage spray that will stop the licking.

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If this is a new behavior you have to figure out what has changed in his environment or habit with and without you...have there been changes in your lifestyle etc. sometimes this is a nervous condition and finding the change will solve the problem.

to find out if allergy try giving a benadryl tablet...if that helps you know what you are dealing with.

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helpful hints...

-everytime you see licking occuring give him something else to chew on a treat, an icecube, etc

- try saying NO very firmly everytime he licks it works for my Beagle...Lewie will still lick on occasion but a firm don't do that stops him.

- Glenda has found tabasco sauce very helpful for some of her dogs bad habits but hasn't used it on skin...if the skin is open I don't think I'd use it.

- your vet should also have something called 'cool spot' (or something like that) it is a spray used to calm hot spots.


There are probably more things but at the moment can't think of them...if I do I'll post them

hugs

k
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NOTE: I did find tobasco sauce stopped chewing on walls - but I wouldn't want to apply it to skin - especially "irritated" skin. I bought something recently that is supposed to stop "chewing" (I have a puppy who's part "moth" and chews every blanket I give her - or whatever I cover the couch with). It's called "Bitter Yuck!" - and is supposed to have a really NASTY taste to dogs - and is safe to use on hot spots, sores, wounds, as well as fabric, wood, plants, etc. Unfortunately, Angel just tries to find another spot to chew
I hope some of this is helpful to you. If anyone else responds, I'll post it for you.
Glenda

 

[BookerMoose]

Thanks - those are great suggestions and we'll definitely try them. One of my friends at work also suggested teetree (sp?) oil. We did get the tabasco sauce out tonight - we didn't put it on his skin but tried a bit on the outside bandage to see if that would work... but unfortunately it seems that Moosie kinda likes tabasco sauce!

He has done this a couple of times before on his paws - last time was a few years ago and that time we did try the bitter spray (which he didn't even seem to notice and just kept licking). Eventually we ended up getting a set of those Muttluck (sp?) boots that velcro on - and he couldn't get them off. Unfortunately this spot is further up his leg so the boots won't cover it.

Thanks again. Moosie - stop licking!!!

 

[Buddy's Ma]

Quote:Originally posted by beaglesmom:
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NOTE: I did find tobasco sauce stopped chewing on walls - but I wouldn't want to apply it to skin - especially "irritated" skin. I bought something recently that is supposed to stop "chewing" (I have a puppy who's part "moth" and chews every blanket I give her - or whatever I cover the couch with). It's called "Bitter Yuck!" - and is supposed to have a really NASTY taste to dogs - and is safe to use on hot spots, sores, wounds, as well as fabric, wood, plants, etc. Unfortunately, Angel just tries to find another spot to chew
I hope some of this is helpful to you. If anyone else responds, I'll post it for you.
Glenda [/QB]

I use the "bitter yuck" to stop Buddy from chewing the metal screen door to his room...it didn't really work, since it didn't really stay on the metal. But even after washing my hands of the stuff (and it says it is all natural)...i touched my mouth and tasted it still and it is NASTY! I have to wash several times if i touch it..and i am afraid of the taste. Can't even explain it. I can see how it works on dogs.

 

[beaglesmom]

The clerk at the Grange where I bought the "Bitter Yuck" said she'd gotten some on her hand too - and it was REALLY NASTY - I've sprayed it on the quilt I use to cover the futon and chair - as I said, my little girl is "beagle/moth" and chewed up the last futon cover and I don't know HOW many quilts and other covers. I'd have to thoroughly drench everything in it - and that would take more than a bottle!! When Romeo was a puppy and chewed on the WALLS, he developed a taste for "Bitter Apple" - that's when I resorted to Tobasco Sauce - which DID work.
That brings up one of my favorite beagle stories.
When Roms was a few months old he had a habit of "chewing" on the walls in my upstairs hallway - I tried everything - USED lots of bitter apple, which didn't bother him at all - finally during Beagle Bay "chat" one night someone suggested "tobasco sauce" - so the next time he started chewing, I grabbed the BIG bottle and sprinkled it liberally around both the holes in the wall (and they were PLATE SIZED HOLES) - the next time he decided to "have a bite of wall", he walked to the first hole - "sniff sniff sniff" - walked to the second hole, "sniff sniff sniff" - walked back to the first hole - hiked his leg and PEED on it - then turned and looked at me as if to say, "THERE, THAT'S WHAT I THINK OF THAT" - and walked away - but NEVER chewed on the wall again!

 

[Murphys Dad]

Quote:Originally posted by beaglesmom:
When Romeo was a puppy and chewed on the WALLS, he developed a taste for "Bitter Apple" - that's when I resorted to Tobasco Sauce - which DID work.

That's funny, it worked exactly the opposite with Chloe. She chewed everything even witht he Tobasco sauce, and I didn't like that it stained everything. The bitter apple worked great after that!

 

[Buddy's Ma]

Quote:Originally posted by beaglesmom:
The clerk at the Grange where I bought the "Bitter Yuck" said she'd gotten some on her hand too - and it was REALLY NASTY - I've sprayed it on the quilt I use to cover the futon and chair - as I said, my little girl is "beagle/moth" and chewed up the last futon cover and I don't know HOW many quilts and other covers. I'd have to thoroughly drench everything in it - and that would take more than a bottle!! When Romeo was a puppy and chewed on the WALLS, he developed a taste for "Bitter Apple" - that's when I resorted to Tobasco Sauce - which DID work.
That brings up one of my favorite beagle stories.
When Roms was a few months old he had a habit of "chewing" on the walls in my upstairs hallway - I tried everything - USED lots of bitter apple, which didn't bother him at all - finally during Beagle Bay "chat" one night someone suggested "tobasco sauce" - so the next time he started chewing, I grabbed the BIG bottle and sprinkled it liberally around both the holes in the wall (and they were PLATE SIZED HOLES) - the next time he decided to "have a bite of wall", he walked to the first hole - "sniff sniff sniff" - walked to the second hole, "sniff sniff sniff" - walked back to the first hole - hiked his leg and PEED on it - then turned and looked at me as if to say, "THERE, THAT'S WHAT I THINK OF THAT" - and walked away - but NEVER chewed on the wall again!

That story is hilarious! I love it! That reminds me of recently my husband bought a used pool table and was putting it together, re-felting it for weeks. When it was finally done Buddy walked right up to and lifted his leg and peed on one of the legs. We weren't sure if he was saying "Yep, this is mine" or "Dad, you have been neglecting me, so there"...how can you be mad at them when are so cute and dear. We could only laugh!

 

[beaglesmom]

He was just "christening" it for his dad! They are so funny. Another one of my favorite beagle stories also involves Romeo, but also my "Chloe", who is 3 weeks older than Roms, but less than half his size. They were pretty young at the time, about 3 months. My granddaughter lived with me at the time, and she had a kitten about the same age. One night when I was on the computer, I heard this awful YOWLING and ran to see what was wrong - here was one beagle puppy firmly attached to each kitty ear - playing tug of war! After rescuing kitty and making sure she was all right, I had to laugh - she wasn't hurt, but boy was she MAD! They weren't too happy with mom either, I took away their TOY :lol2: ! What one beagle pup can't think of the other can. And I've raised several together. My two boys, Joe and Jack are littermates - and now have Bella and Angel - who aren't littermates, but half sisters - Bella will be 2 May 1st, and Angel is almost 10 months. Joe, Jack and Angel are full brothers/sister, (same parents), while Bella has the same father, but different mother. There's never a dull moment with this pack!

 

[MyKale]

Quote:Originally posted by Buddy's Ma:

Quote:Originally posted by beaglesmom:
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Glenda

I use the "bitter yuck" to stop Buddy from chewing the metal screen door to his room...it didn't really work, since it didn't really stay on the metal. But even after washing my hands of the stuff (and it says it is all natural)...i touched my mouth and tasted it still and it is NASTY! I have to wash several times if i touch it..and i am afraid of the taste. Can't even explain it. I can see how it works on dogs. [/QB]

i bought the bitter yuck stuff from my pets mart and it works wonders with diesel. he is starting to get his adult teeth and he is chewing everything. i did notice he chews on his feet and legs a lot so i used it there too and he stopped.

and im telling you what that bitter yuck stuff is really nasty. i sprayed it in the air so see if it smelled bad and accidentally inhaled a little of it and it was so grose. i now know why it worked so well (and there is no smell to it either)