When a Corgi itches

[Michael Romanos]

I have completed my article on When a Dog Itches and it is available to any Go Corgi member who requests an email version of it by sending me an email request.
The article covers virtually every possibility of why a dog would find it necessary to scratch and lick/bite specific parts of his/her body to the degree that would concern the owner.
I think it is reasonably interesting and informative article, a little different from others as it co-ordinates and summarises a spectrum of ailments, and it is written in terms that the general reader can understand.
The vet I have used for the article is one very nice guy and one of the most astute vets I know.

[Jane Austen]

In times of anxiety Duchess will lick her paws. Not to the point of causing any damage but I can tell when something is bothering her. Michael you have said before that licking was not just "nerves" so I am sending you an email requesting your article.
In the past I have owned dogs who have made their bodies raw with licking and chewing. Vets told me it was a nervous reaction. I will be very interested in what you have to say.

To make it easier for everyone to get your article wouldn't it be a good idea to post your email address on this thread? You used to have an email address on the home page but now I have to go looking for it.

[Michael Romanos]

Jane - that is so interesting. One of the last questions I asked my informant was do dogs lick and bite and scratch themselves from stress, habit, boredom - and he never did address this. I may pursue this matter with him and add it to the article - he will probably say no, dogs do not 'mutilate' themselves for these reasons.
Somehow I remenber you previously discussing this so called nervous reaction concerning Duchess and I seem to think that I did some scouting around and found that no vet etc here in NZ would agree with the diagnosis your vet produced.
However, foot licking is very common as a Contact allergy - and there you have the most likely reason for the actions of Duchess etc. Taylor recently had a week of foot licking to the point where he was limping, and it was obviously contact probably with wandering willy. So I gave him a couple of little pink pills to rid the allergy, made sure that he didn't come into contact with anymore ww, and took him to the beach to paddle in salt water. It worked.

[glencorgi]

Jane,

I've seen what your vet diagnosed with Duchess and yes stress or even boredom can result in excessive licking - the worse cases resulting in lick granules. It is kind of like biting one's nails or twisting one's hair in humans.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

I finally was able to complete the article today on When A Dog Itches including a piece on stress and boredom.

A few members on Go Corgi were of the opinion that food plays a large part in a dog itching - so they may be interested in the results I was able to come up with.

For a email version copy, email me at mjromanos@hotmail.com

[nrhareiner]

My Corgis big problem with ichy spots is when she tries to ich them she roles over. Funny to say the least.

Heidi

[Michael Romanos]

It is funny with Corgis playing rolly polly - but there is a serious side to it if the actions are because of constant itching. That't the point of my article. Thanks for bringing it up.

[Louwants]

I had a little Heinz 57 dog many years ago that licked and chewed her paws raw. I changed her food and everything I could think of. The vet asked if I was using any carpet deodorizers that were so popular at the time. Said some dogs are allergic to the chemicals producing the scent. Stop using it, and her paws just cleared right up.

[nrhareiner]

Living out in the country like I do with all the horses and recycled hay the dogs are always dirty not to mention all their added freinds the like to carry around at times. Once they get a bath it really stops most of the itchys.

My Saluki really had bad allergies to one of the feeds she was eating. Changed it and she stopped itching and pulling her hair out.

Heidi

[Michael Romanos]

Itchy feet is a sure sign of a Contact allergy. Not really the place for anything else unless the dog is carrying a foot injury. stepping onto chemicals, and certain vegetation in a grassy field could be the cause for an allergetic reaction in your Corgi's foot/feet.

[nrhareiner]

You should see Libby try and get the sand burrs out of her paws. She did not know what was going on the first time. Must say that those little legs can do some funny things and when she sits to try and get things she roles. That pup keeps everyone who meets her laghing.

Heidi

[Jane Austen]

Not to the point of injury but I have seen Duchess react to tension in the house by gently licking her paws. This is a normal everyday type of tension.
I attribute this sensitivity to her history, I only have had her for a year and a half, getting her at age seven.
The dogs we had years ago would lick their paws or scratch their tails raw and I can see that it must have been contact allergy.

[glencorgi]

I caught one of the morning news shows pet segment this week and the topic was pet allergies. Dr. Debbie Turner, DVM (she is also a part of the Westminister coverage team) was the guest. The four main causes of why dogs itch she gave were:

flea allergies
airborne allergens
food allergies (the four most common sources - corn, beef, wheat and soy)
contact allergies

I have known of dogs which react to stress and tension in the way Duchess does.

Debbie