Dog scratching/biting same area

zaksmum

My dog is regularly wormed and flea treated and I get compliments about his lovely glossy coat.

But for the last 2 weeks he's been biting and scratching at an area on the side of his body. He wasn't quite due his flea treatment but I gave him it anyway, but the scratching hasn't stopped.

I've examined him minutely but can't see anything there. I've combed out his fur onto damp blotting paper to see if there are any specks of blood (flea dirt) but nothing.

It's only this part of him that seems to be bothering him.

I'm using Frontline Spot On, which I've always used for all my dogs with good effect...I've never seen fleas, but use it as a preventative measure.

So if it's not fleas or a skin problem, what else could it be?

kitschkitty

He may need his anal glands cleaning out. Although the scratching and nibbling is on a different area it could be this, my mums dog has this sometimes. Also it could be an allergy, or a habit (mums dog's experienced this too). Worth checking with the vet. Also could be diet related?

Mayflower10cat

I'm a cat person but I've also heard something about 'hot spots' as a friends doggy used to get these??

zaksmum

kitschkitty wrote: »

He may need his anal glands cleaning out. Although the scratching and nibbling is on a different area it could be this, my mums dog has this sometimes. Also it could be an allergy, or a habit (mums dog's experienced this too). Worth checking with the vet. Also could be diet related?

Don't think it's the anal glands as it's like halfway down his side - my old dog was a martyr to his anal glands and he used to "scoot" his bottom along the ground when he needed "doing".

I'm going to see if he's still at himself in a couple more days then off to the vet. He was very prone to chasing rabbits into undergrowth in the summer so I'm wondering if he has something like a thorn under the skin - but then that would leave a little lump.

zaksmum

Mayflower10cat wrote: »

I'm a cat person but I've also heard something about 'hot spots' as a friends doggy used to get these??

I don't know what hot spots are - do you mean like hives?

motherbear

Can't really help much but doubt its hot spot. Hot spot is an area of skin inflammation and infection, redness, oozing, pain, and itchiness are common signs.
Hope he's feeling better soon.

Shelldean

will be watching this with interest as Clint our dog has a similar problem.
Clint has been to the vet a few times now. Vet orginally it was thought Clint has an allergy to cereal, so we put him on a cereal free diet ( do you know just how much dog food has cereal in it???) As he'd bitten himself as well as scratched he was put on steriods and anitbiotics to stop the itching and to get him to leave himself alone.
He was fine for a while then the scratching started again, few trips to the vet. Last visit quite a few wks after the previous one, was becuase he'd bitten and scratched himself raw. Back on to steriods and anitbiotics again. which quickly stopped the scratching and he healed. Vet now thinks he may have a flea allergy and while Clint doesn't hae fleas, one bite if he's allergic is all thats needed. Or possibly he's picked up mange from the foxes.
His treatment has just stopped and it looks like the scratching is slowly starting again. Actually I lie his tablets have finished, but he still has drops to put on is fur ( last lot due next wk)

when Clint is in full scratch mode he looks like he's riddled with fleas as he scratches SO much. He scratches his sides but gnaws the base of his tail until it bleeds, which is heartbreaking to witness.
Oh and he bum shuffles very occassionally

Shelldean

If he's been thru the undergrowth has he picked something up from the rabbits or even the foxes like the Vet thinks Clint has??

kitschkitty

My mums dog also has a flea allergy, and has in the past had to change food, but the biting scratching can also become a bad/nervous habit.

When her dog needed his anal glands doing, he wasn't scooting around, but would nibble his haunch (habit?)

Artytarty

My dog behaves like this when she has about of folliculitis to which she seems prone. She will nibble the skin then I notice a pink tinge through her blond fur. It then goes redder and weeps sometimes. Thevet prescribed antibiotics and Fuciderm cream. Finished all that and she was still at it. I've stsarted putting aloe vera on it and the taste keeps her away from it while the healing properties sooth it. So far, after a few days, things are looking much better.
edit: at first I thought it was the anal glands as this is quite nearby, but it isnt.

Shelldean

kitschkitty wrote: »

My mums dog also has a flea allergy, and has in the past had to change food, but the biting scratching can also become a bad/nervous habit.

When her dog needed his anal glands doing, he wasn't scooting around, but would nibble his haunch (habit?)

When you say nibble his haunch do you mean around the base of his tail??? Clint doesn't nibble tho he chews this area