Shelley
Bristol, UK
MH
Posts:693
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| 03/04/2010 12:27 PM |
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Sorry to keep asking so many questions! I need some more advice.
Hogan is what I would call "grumbly" - when he's settling himself down on a blanket, getting up, moaning etc, nothing out of the ordinary I thought. He also chews on his legs, paws and tail on a regular basis.
We have just got back from the yard, and he fell asleep on my lap, but kept fidgeting and grumbling. I put him down on the blanket by the fire and he was grumbling loudly to himself - even to the extent of barking at himself (which he's never done before) whilst chewing on his paws.
Is this normal? Could it be allergies? Any advice would be great. I have taken a video of what he's doing - it's just uploading to youtube then you guys can see for yourself.
Thanks |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 03/04/2010 1:02 PM |
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| Chewing on feet/legs or tails is often a sign of allergies. Was it Hogan who had the ear infection or one of the other puppies on the board? If it was Hogan, it may just be that his ears are still bothering him a bit. If not, then check his ears for any dark wax or redness. Does he have goopy eye discharge? How about any rash or redness on his belly? When did this start? Think about anything that may have changed a few days before you noticed this behavior. Did you change bedding, food, was he in the grass? Just some things to think about, things the vet may ask if you end up taking him to the vet for the problem. If the behavior persists, for more than a few days I would probably take him to the vet, but you will have to be the detective here so be prepared with answers if you can as that will help them figure out the problem. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
     
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Shelley
Bristol, UK
MH
Posts:693
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Shelley
Bristol, UK
MH
Posts:693
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| 03/04/2010 1:14 PM |
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Was it Hogan who had the ear infection or one of the other puppies on the board? If it was Hogan, it may just be that his ears are still bothering him a bit.
Yes, it was him - I think he still suffers a little, so maybe it could be that?
Does he have goopy eye discharge?
He does have a little "sleep" but I wouldn't call it goopy discharge.. I assumed it was a normal amount, like you or I would have.
How about any rash or redness on his belly?
No visible rash/redness that I can see
When did this start?
He has chewed his feet/tail since I had him - althought he has gradually done it more and more, but tonight was the first time he acted like he did in the video.
Nothing has changed - feed or bedding - that I can think of, he is on a hypoallergenic additive free food. He has been down the yard this week (hasn't been before) - so experiencing grass, horse poo, mud, hay (come to think of it he likes to roll/eat the hay).
Thanks!
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 03/04/2010 1:59 PM |
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That is certainly odd behavior and it is definitely showing something is bothering him. I know my vet who used to treat my cockers for ear problems always told me that frantically liking feet was often a behavior associated with ear infections. How do his ears look? Are they still producing brown waxy stuff? Do they still smell? If so you might want to take him back to the vet and have them relook at his ears. The brown waxy stuff is indicative of a yeast infection which itches horribly. Yeast infections often lead to bacterial infections which make it worse. They are not easy to clear up either. Usually you use an ear cleaner that raises the ph in the ear and combine that with an antibiotic. How long has he been on his treatment for his ears?
So, if it isn't ears I would think it might be something he got into, maybe the hay.
Poor baby. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Shelley
Bristol, UK
MH
Posts:693
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| 03/04/2010 2:01 PM |
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I know, my poor little man. At least he is asleep now.
He went to the vets on monday, since then he has been on the ear treatment twice a day. His ear does look better, but still looks a bit sore.
She told me to give it to him twice a day for a week, then not do it for a week, then do it for another week. That way we could tell if it was infested with mites too? |
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lfb
UK
MH
Posts:183
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| 03/04/2010 2:23 PM |
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| Poor thing. He looks like something's bothering him and can't get settled. As the owner of a very itchy GSP, I wish you luck! She has a recurring ear infection which vet has linked to her 'allergies' (still no real idea what, though food is the main culprit - she is on a strict gluten-free etc diet and NO treats). We have spent a fortune on tests but no real luck. I would definitely mention it to vet. Does he have his dew claws removed? The scars used to bother her when she had a flare up and she would lick her paws then. |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3916
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| 03/04/2010 2:25 PM |
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Did he do this before the medication? Maybe it can be a reaction to it?
Poor little guy. How can he have peace if he's always annoyed by itching?
Good luck and good sleeping,
Francine |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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carlower1
Kansas
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Posts:1253
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| 03/04/2010 2:30 PM |
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Try washing off his paws.. you may want to talk to the vet about giving him benedryl and see if that helps, Also with the snowy weather you had.. there is a chance he was walking in salted snow.. that can dry out pads, so try massaging some Vit E oil or bag balm, the chewing the tail could be because he hit it, as it heals it could "itch"
Carrie |
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Shelley
Bristol, UK
MH
Posts:693
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| 03/04/2010 2:33 PM |
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He doesn't have his dew claws removed. I think that video looks worse than it is - he literally only did that for 3/4 minutes - but he does chew his paws/tail a lot.
He's on James Wellbeloved feed - thats gluten/wheat/dairy/additive free, and th only other thing he gets is coachies - one calorie per treat training treats. He gets nothing else - i'm very particular about that.
I'm hoping it's his ear bothering him. I think I will leave it until monday - if he hasn't improved I will take him back to the vet.
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:2439
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| 03/04/2010 3:26 PM |
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I don't have any experience with dogs and ear infections but his moaning reminds me of how my son was/is with his ear infections...
Dogs will chew a little at their paws now and then but if it is pretty often it sounds like an allergic reaction...
I would question the medication for his ears...maybe he is allergic to that...???... |
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http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2553
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2554 |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:2737
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| 03/04/2010 4:18 PM |
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I agree with the others -- probably related to the ear infection or allergies. If it's any consolation, Bogey makes similar noises sometimes when he's bored or tired (he's a very talkative boy -- in fact he is doing it right now since he is waiting for dinner and not getting his way.  Razzie is a grumbler and makes a tonne of noise when she is really tired and out to the world. It makes me smile  |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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cdansan
Northwestern, Vermont
MH
Posts:125
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| 03/04/2010 6:55 PM |
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Mine has had reactions to some flea/tick meds which have had some of the same type symptoms. My golden retreiver is a chronic ear infection case, but my flatcoat retreiver never gets them. The golden's first sign of infection is repeadtly shaking his head, then scratching at his ears.
Has he had any vaccinations or eaten anything out of the ordinary? |
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Shelley
Bristol, UK
MH
Posts:693
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| 03/05/2010 12:32 AM |
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Funnily enough, at 8 weeks Hogan had his first jab, at the same time he was treated with Stronghold - a flea/tick medicine, he's due to have the second bout in 2 weeks. I wonder if it could be that?
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keanmu
Czech Republic
MH
Posts:304
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| 03/05/2010 12:40 AM |
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| Poor pup, definately something bothering him. I am guessing it's a reaction to the medication too. Personally I would stop giving it and take him back to the vets immediately. Hope he's better soon. |
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Shelley
Bristol, UK
MH
Posts:693
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| 03/05/2010 2:22 AM |
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He's got a vets appointment tonight at 6pm so I will tell you guys what they say  |
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Shelley
Bristol, UK
MH
Posts:693
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| 03/05/2010 1:45 PM |
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We are back from the vets.
Good news I think - she looked at his ear, cleaned it out properly and gave me some cleaning solution to use on a daily basis to get rid of the discharge and grime.
She said chewing his paws is most likely to be a contact allergy - but hopefully due to him going out and about and he should improve soon.
He's going back in a week to check up on his ear. She said if he starts biting, give him a bath with puppy shampoo.
We bathed him tonight, and so far, no biting. I hope we don't find he's allergic to something at the yard - what a nightmare than will be!
For those interested, here is the best picture I could get of his ear.
(WARNING: VERY GRAPHIC PIC!)
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 03/05/2010 2:10 PM |
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| Good to hear the ears are improving. He probably just got into something that bothered him a little. Hopefully, it won't happen again. His ears look good, no redness. The brown gunk should go away entirely with the cleanings. Just keep an eye out on the brown gunk because if it doesn't go away you want to take him back to the vet. The brown gunk is usually a pretty good indicator that he has a yeast infection and that is very itchy. The good news is shorthairs typically don't have ear issues even though they have long ears because they are shorthaired and the ear canal is pretty big and open so the moisture drys. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 03/05/2010 2:21 PM |
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| That is one grumbling pup! I think I would find that unsettling too, but I have no idea what it could be. Tessa doesn't grumble. She does chew her toes sometimes - seems to be her late-night ritual. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1051
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| 03/05/2010 5:54 PM |
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You might also wish to add a spoonful of yogurt (full fat) to his regular food...if he's on antibiotics, especially for a yeast infection the meds will also destroy all the good bacterial flora in the intestines Yogurt will correct that. Just add a dollop on top...it won't hurt.
Also, I think someone mentioned it briefly but a reddish brown stinky exudate in the ear may be very indicative of ear mites....more fun!
Hope things continue to improve...
Phyllis and the Singltrak Furtribe
Las Cruces, NM USA |
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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