Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:42 am Post subject: OCD???
My Cocoa chews her feet nonstop, rips out hair and also scratches her chin until she bleeds... I thought at first it was allergies, so I have her on an anti-allergy food and the vet told me to give her Benedryll every day but it doesn't seem like it's working. She chews her feet until there are huge slobber stains all over the furniture and her feet are soaking wet. She also smears blood everywhere from her chin. It's starting to really worry me.
One of my coworkers suggested that she might have obsessive compulsive disorder and might need to be on doggie prozac. Is this a common thing for labs???
No, nothing like that... I'm not sure if it is an environmental allergen but she's been doing it since she was a puppy and I've moved almost a year ago and it didn't really make it worse or better...
How bizarre it does sound like she is allergic to something (sounds pretty similar to my (human) eczema).
It does seem strange that it has continued after your move - what about things such as washing powder for bedding?
Is there something in her diet that could be irritating her? (although you would think that would affect more than the feet).
Have you tried maybe an alternative old style antihistamine such as Piriton (obviously speak to your vet first) - which can help itching and cause a bit of drowsiness which might give her some respite.
Touch wood, I can't say I've come across anything like this on a dog (although I relate as a human from my eczema, and it must be doubly hard for her and you as she can't tell you what's going on ) - I do hope you manage to sort it out. The members here are diverse and have encountered many different situations - so hopefully someone will be able to offer more constructive tips and advice
Is there anyway your vet can refer you to an Allergy Specialist for testing, as at least if you can find out exactly what she is allergic to, you can then try to avoid her contact with it?
It could be that she is allergic to something, really simple. We had a lister here a while ago whose dog had an allergy to Chicken and Chicken products, which of course many hypoallergenic foods contain. I know of another dog allergic to something used in the process of making kibble, so it wouldn't matter which kibble the dog was fed, it still had a reaction.
Unless you know what she is reacting to, she will probably always be uncomfortable and itchy.
And just to add, just because one Anti Histamine doesn't work, it doesn't mean it isn't an allergic reaction. I get Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis), yet only one or two brands of Anti Histamines make any impact on the symptoms, many have no impact at all.
Hi my Charlie has eptopic eczema he chews his feet and has had problems under his chin and his ears he’s had blood test done he has allergies to dust mites i have to wet his food keep it covered in a bin wash his chin and feet after he has eaten i also use ibiscrub he is also on steroids for live with this condition he gets very depressed we struggle to keep the weight on him while the investigations were going on he lost 6kl he looked terrible he has how ever since being on steroids has but a bit of weight on he is a little better but this is how he will be for life we did think he had some sort of cancer he was quit ill, ask your vet for blood test its very common skin problem
Thanks for the advice! I asked a friend of mine who is a vet tech and she said that it could have started out as allergies (from before I had her on hypoallergenic food - her food doesn't have any grains and it is a duck and potato formula) and then it just became a nervous behavior/habit (Cocoa is very neurotic).
I haven't tried any other types of antihistamine besides benedryll so that might be a good option too... I was supposed to be giving her 9 a day which I find extremely excessive so I only give her 3 in the morning and 3 at night.
I am going to ask the vet their opinion and hopefully get her allergy tested in the beginning of March.
My friend has English Setters - 2 from same litter - they have grass & grain allergies, she has spent hundreds of hours and thousands of pounds diagnosing and trying to cure their problems. Their ears and paws sound extremely similar to the symptons your girl is experiencing - I believe they are now on Hills special veterinary sensitive diet or something similiar - it is very pricey but is the only thing that suits them. Have you considered trying Coco on a natural diet - veg and raw meat etc? I really sympathise with you - I know that my friend has been close to pulling her hair out at times and it took several years before she and the dogs were happy individuals - Good Luck!
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