Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums banner

Sucking/hickies, nibbling

1K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  Mindi's mom 
#1 ·
So, this week Mindi has started sucking on her "thumb" (I guess it is the pad that is beside her dew claw), nibbling her feet, and giving herself hickies on her belly. I haven't changed her food, snacks, shampoo or anything. What could be causing this strange behavior. Everything else seems to be fine (eating, sleeping, going potty, mood).
 
#4 ·
I haven't been online in a couple days. She has stopped sucking her belly. I think she may have been itchy from me shaving her stomach. I didn't shave it to the skin but maybe it was itching her? Also, I noticed she had a flea. Since she can't bend and reach to nibble where that flea was biting she was just scratching/nibbling what she could reach. I bathed her in flea shampoo yesterday and that seems to have solved the problem.

My mom has yorkies and gave me a dose of her flea preventative. I used it and then did some research and ordered revolution. There has been a 2 week lapse in medication (it is on the way in the mail). So, I guess she picked up a flea or two in the yard.

I guess I was worrying about nothing.
 
#6 ·
Alright, back to my issue.... after it got better it gradually got worse... she nibbled part of 1 of her pads off last night. We went to the vet this morning. She has a fungal and bacterial infection from her nibbling her feet (moist conditions). Plus a little bacteria in her ears. The vet said there wasn't much but it could be an infection starting up since that is common in dogs with allergies. We are starting the elimination diet tonight. The vet said to do that first and see if it helps. Since I have only had Mindi since the last week of July and I don't know her history the vet said she may have seasonal allergies. He said it was unlikely that it is a food allergy (said only 10% of dog allergies are from food). Anyways, I am upset that my baby isn't feeling well. And not sure if I will know what made her better if she gets better. She got a steroid shot, anti fungal, antibiotic, & antibiotic ear drops (not sure why the oral wouldn't resolve the ear infection) season is changing, new flea meds, changed to hypoallergenic shampoo, got rid of all of my carpet & my room smell goods & this new diet.... The vet said the easiest for me to do from home would probably be pork, carrots & sweet potatoes + some veg oil (preferred sunflower), bone meal, KCI (not sure what that is yet), 1/2 an unflavored human multivitamin & Omega 3 supplement.

I am sure I have read a few threads on this site about meals and allergies. What do you guys think about my situation & the vets advice? This is only the second time I have seen this vet. I chose him from the good reviews on kudzu.com.

Sorry if that is hard to read. I feel like I jumped around a lot while writing.
 
#7 ·
I, personally, would see a specialist if you can. Allergies are dreadful, uncomfortable and can seriously impact a humans or a fluffs life - very badly.

If you think of how terrible you feel when you have a cold - allergies are far more uncomfortable, and that’s what your baby is feeling, most likely.

Poor baby - I hope that you are able to find someone who will work with you on this medical issue - so that you and she can live "happily ever after"

Your vet told you to feed your puppy pork? I don't think that I have ever heard of that.

Best of luck.
 
#8 ·
Your vet told you to feed your puppy pork? I don't think that I have ever heard of that.

Best of luck.
I thought it seemed a little strange too. I'm about to head to the grocery store. I'll look and see if my market has duck or rabbit maybe I can substitute. And I was also thinking canned pumpkin would be less work than potatoes. I'd love some easy recipes from you guys though. I want to start her on it tonight.
 
#9 ·
It might be worth a consult with a veterinary behaviorist.

Dogs with obsessive compulsive behaviors will sometimes suck their flanks or items such as blankets. I was thinking it's typically large breed dogs which are affected with the "sucking type" of obsessive compulsive behaviors but I'm not certain about this.

Nick Dodman at Tufts has been doing research on the genetic aspect canine obsessive behaviors:

Dr. Nicholas Dodman and scientists at Tufts University discover shared gene in dogs with obsessive disorders | NJ.com


There's a video of a flank sucking Doberman on this link. Does Mindi's behavior look anything like this:

Obsessive compulsive disorders: An interactive learning experience with Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman | NJ.com




Joy
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top