Is this cause for alarm?

candyraver · #1 01-25-2007, 01:17 AM

My 10 year old dog has been licking a lot lately.I don't mean licking people,I mean licking pillows,carpets,blankets,the couch,the floor,you get the idea. There's ALWAYS fresh water.Whether shes upstairs or in my apartment (I have water in my bedroom & kitchen for her& my other dog.& upstairs it's in the kitchen.Not just a dish,those automatic waterers,so it's always full & cleaned daily so fresh!)
She been doing this more so last few weeks.
I'm starting to worry there could be something wrong with her.Especially since she "hacks" up white "spit" from time to time.Worrying it could be a fluid problem.Didn't put this in the emergency section,as I don't know if it belongs there or not.
What do you guys think?
Should I make an appointment ASAP???

Mel · #2 01-25-2007, 01:20 AM

I'd just call my vet and ask if we needed to come in. They're usually pretty good about telling me oh, its nothing, or um, maybe you should come in.

CoCo Chanel · #3 01-25-2007, 01:25 AM

I have read about this, and when it becomes excessive to the point of an obession compulsive disorder, then yes. it should be a cause for an alarm.

heres one i reseached:
"Lots of dogs lick floors, walls, concrete, metal, etc. I do not know of a consistent link to any particular problem that underlies this behavior. There are a lot of things that might cause these problems in a particular patient, though. Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease), hypoadrenocorticism, liver failure, obsessive-compulsive disorders, seizures, hydrocephalus and other neurologic disease and probably a number of other conditions have occasionally been linked with this behavior.

Dogs that have been stressed or that are excessively bored seem to develop obsessive disorders at times. With your dog's histories this seems possible. If they can be distracted from the licking and if it really isn't excessive it might be easiest just to live with it. If it really does seem excessive to you, your vet or a veterinary behaviorist may be able to help design a behavioral modification program and medical therapy to help alleviate the condition, if one of the medical causes doesn't seem to fit, of course. "

my friend has a maltese that would lick everything too...she would litterally lick spots out in the carpet etc..... her's is linked to a seperation anxiety disorder.

my suggestion to you is to get it checked out by the doctor.

candyraver · #4 01-25-2007, 01:55 AM

I think it may be something to do with her heart. "Fluid around the heart?" That would explain the "hacking" spit. She was obese for a small dog,but that's changed.She got help for that (more exercising like you'd never believe,without the younger dog for awhile,she really couldn't keep up with him).
I seriously think i'm going to contact the vet.I'd rather know exactly whats wrong with her because it's making me paranoid.I've had her 10 years,without a problem,so seeing a change in her behaviour now is freaking me out

candyraver · #5 01-28-2007, 05:36 AM

I called & was told it WASN'T cause for alarm. She been ok the past couple days,no licking.No "hacking".She wasn't "ill" besides that.I still don't think it's normal though.I'm keeping my eye on her& if she starts doing it again,I'm getting another opinion!

I go with my gut feeling.As soon as she starts again,another vet will be called& i'm bringing her in to get checked out!

Carissa · #6 01-28-2007, 08:26 AM

Well im glad she's doing better!

Kendalle · #7 01-29-2007, 12:04 AM

check the inside of her mouth, she may have had a stick stuck in the top of her mouth and got it out or a sore or something. my dog had a stick stuck in his mouth before and was spitting alot and licking alot i dont know if it could be that with out it being a serious problem and noticing it soon, we noticed ours but it could be in a place that it didnt effect eating and such

candyraver · #8 01-29-2007, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kendalle


	check the inside of her mouth, she may have had a stick stuck in the top of her mouth and got it out or a sore or something. my dog had a stick stuck in his mouth before and was spitting alot and licking alot i dont know if it could be that with out it being a serious problem and noticing it soon, we noticed ours but it could be in a place that it didnt effect eating and such

Sounds likely.As there don't seem to be anything wrong with her now,but I don't see anything inside her mouth to show that there was something stuck there.hmmm...

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