sammy is biting his arms ? what could ause this - YorkieTalk.com Forums

elle57 · 10-11-2009, 01:26 AM

hi,
maybe some of you know what is going on, sammy keeps biting his arms , right near the top of arms and his front feet. there is nothing there, i have checked for flea bites and rash, but nothing, he keeps biting till the hair is about 1/4 inch or less. he is always wet. he has a puppy cut, with no mats.
should there be a concern for this?
is he bored or ocd?
thanks for your help

jacksonsmum · 10-11-2009, 04:10 AM

Gee I dont know really if you cant see anything. Maybe it is a nervous habit? Can you distract him with a chewy toy ?

You will get a lot of input on here for sure. I am thinking you might have to take him to the vet as well if he keeps it up.

chestermama · 10-11-2009, 04:53 PM

have you tried rinsing him off when he comes in from outside, is it a food allergy, have you taken him to the vet to see what he or she thinks. they are sensitive little burgers, I have one myself

JeanieK · 10-11-2009, 05:10 PM

It could be food alergies. Does thwe food that you are feeding him have corn in it?

kelsie123186 · 10-11-2009, 05:14 PM

Is he displaying any other unusual habits like running into things? Not to worry you but My vet told me once that biting the hair on their feet could be a sign of liver shunt disease. Its probably nothing but if hes displaying any other odd habits you might want to consult your vet.

Princes mom · 10-12-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elle57

hi,
maybe some of you know what is going on, sammy keeps biting his arms , right near the top of arms and his front feet. there is nothing there, i have checked for flea bites and rash, but nothing, he keeps biting till the hair is about 1/4 inch or less. he is always wet. he has a puppy cut, with no mats.
should there be a concern for this?
is he bored or ocd?
thanks for your help

It may be a habit or an allergic reaction to something . (I thought you saying "arms" was very cute!!

)

newmommy · 10-12-2009, 08:52 AM

It is more than likely an allergy. Could be to food, could be to outside allergens. I would take him to the vet. In the meantime it is safe to give him benadryl. How much does he weigh? Benadryl is safe at 1mg per Lb.

MeganS · 10-12-2009, 09:34 AM

I'm guessing that he might be allergic to his food. What do you feed him?

Tucker did the same thing for AGES - except he'd chew down by his paws. We fed him Royal Canin, and while it's top-quality food, he was allergic to all of the corn they used in it. We switched him to Natural Balance (which uses little (or no?) corn) and he hasn't had a problem since.

Good luck!! Hope you can figure out what the problem is!!

Mom to Hot Rod · 10-12-2009, 10:07 AM

It probably is food allergies. We just discovered Hot Rod is allergic to chicken. He will gnaw at his front paws after he eats some.

He loves chicken and turkey.

elle57 · 10-13-2009, 05:30 PM

thanks for all your input, but i do feed him the honest kitchen hydrated food and raw meat. so i just dont think it could be food allergies.
tonight he licked and licked his arms and feet soaking wet, plus the bed sheets. do you think it could be ocd ? i am concerned about this habit, otherwise he is good and everything is just wonderful with him. he seems healthy and eats well and plays well.

joeyandtanksmom · 10-13-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newmommy

It is more than likely an allergy. Could be to food, could be to outside allergens. I would take him to the vet. In the meantime it is safe to give him benadryl. How much does he weigh? Benadryl is safe at 1mg per Lb.

wait, human benadryl? My Joey chews on his back legs, like, the "thigh" area...I think it's a nervous habit, but I would be curious to try this to see if it were an allergy. Joey does have pretty severe separation anxiety. Last time I had my boys at the vet, she said that it could just be dry skin, and that I could use a special shampoo. I end up having to use some bitter spray on his legs ALL the time, and I would love to find a solution to the problem instead of treating the symptoms, you know? I'm gonna keep up on this, see if I can find some solutions for myself too!

elle57 · 10-13-2009, 06:34 PM

i just bathed him , blowed dried him and he was laying on the couch with me and started biting his arms and then his legs. i really dont know what to do. someone mentioned it could be a sign of liver shunt, but i do not see any other signs. it is making me crazy with the constant licking and biting. should i try benedryl and how much should i give him . he is 8 lbs.

newmommy · 10-14-2009, 07:34 PM

yes human benadryl and it usually comes in 25 mgs. if he is 8lbs then he could have 1mg per lb twice to three times daily. So I would start with 1/3 tablet twice daily and see how he does... its important to make sure that you are consistent with him getting it for like 3 weeks... however if the dose makes him too groggy you can decrease this.

elle57 · 10-15-2009, 08:38 PM

i am going to take him for a bile acid test as soon as i can. i am in the middle of going for pre op testing, as i need my gallbladder removed.
everytime he starts licking and biting ( kinda like nibbling) himself or his toy or my clothes, i stop him by paying attention to him and he stops.
my other concern is he likes metal ? like he runs over to my metal kitchen chairs and gives them a quick lick? weird, right?
or he will look for the throw pillow that has a metal zipper and bites it off?
i do not know if this is sign of something wrong, but i have never had him bile tested before and he is over 4 yrs old.
any input from someone ?

elle57 · 10-16-2009, 02:20 PM

hi, i am taking sammy to the vet on oct 22nd which is next week. i called and they said there are a few different bile acid tests that they could run.
does anyone know exactly what the test is called to find out anything about liver issues. i have never had blood work done on him, but because of the problem of licking, biting and licking metal objects, i am concerned. otherwise he seems normal to me.
i live on long island ny, does anyone have a ball park figure what these costs? i know vets like to run unnessasary tests sometimes, and i dont need to pay for things that he doesnt need.
also they said i have to drop him off and then they feed him and draw more blood. what do they feed him, because he eats on raw meat and the honest kitchen.
sorry to go on and on, but with me going into surgery soon for gallbladder and liver biopsy, it is all a bit much !

10-11-2009, 01:26 AM	#1
elle57 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: douglaston ny Posts: 498	sammy is biting his arms ? what could ause this hi, maybe some of you know what is going on, sammy keeps biting his arms , right near the top of arms and his front feet. there is nothing there, i have checked for flea bites and rash, but nothing, he keeps biting till the hair is about 1/4 inch or less. he is always wet. he has a puppy cut, with no mats. should there be a concern for this? is he bored or ocd? thanks for your help

10-11-2009, 05:14 PM	#5
kelsie123186 YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: nevada Posts: 323	Is he displaying any other unusual habits like running into things? Not to worry you but My vet told me once that biting the hair on their feet could be a sign of liver shunt disease. Its probably nothing but if hes displaying any other odd habits you might want to consult your vet. __________________ Kelsie, Bailey and Layla

10-12-2009, 08:52 AM	#7
newmommy Keep Me Away From eBay Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,109	allergies It is more than likely an allergy. Could be to food, could be to outside allergens. I would take him to the vet. In the meantime it is safe to give him benadryl. How much does he weigh? Benadryl is safe at 1mg per Lb. __________________ There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face!!

10-12-2009, 09:34 AM	#8
MeganS Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12,016 Blog Entries: 1	I'm guessing that he might be allergic to his food. What do you feed him? Tucker did the same thing for AGES - except he'd chew down by his paws. We fed him Royal Canin, and while it's top-quality food, he was allergic to all of the corn they used in it. We switched him to Natural Balance (which uses little (or no?) corn) and he hasn't had a problem since. Good luck!! Hope you can figure out what the problem is!! __________________ Megan "I have my dreams, I have made plans." - The Pirate Queen All Gave Some; Some Gave All

10-12-2009, 10:07 AM	#9
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	It probably is food allergies. We just discovered Hot Rod is allergic to chicken. He will gnaw at his front paws after he eats some. He loves chicken and turkey. __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10

10-11-2009, 04:10 AM	#2
jacksonsmum Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario/Canada Posts: 248	Gee I dont know really if you cant see anything. Maybe it is a nervous habit? Can you distract him with a chewy toy ? You will get a lot of input on here for sure. I am thinking you might have to take him to the vet as well if he keeps it up.

10-11-2009, 04:53 PM	#3
chestermama YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: washington Posts: 3,383 Blog Entries: 1	have you tried rinsing him off when he comes in from outside, is it a food allergy, have you taken him to the vet to see what he or she thinks. they are sensitive little burgers, I have one myself

10-11-2009, 05:10 PM	#4
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	It could be food alergies. Does thwe food that you are feeding him have corn in it?

10-13-2009, 05:30 PM	#10
elle57 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: douglaston ny Posts: 498	thanks for all your input, but i do feed him the honest kitchen hydrated food and raw meat. so i just dont think it could be food allergies. tonight he licked and licked his arms and feet soaking wet, plus the bed sheets. do you think it could be ocd ? i am concerned about this habit, otherwise he is good and everything is just wonderful with him. he seems healthy and eats well and plays well.

10-13-2009, 06:34 PM	#12
elle57 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: douglaston ny Posts: 498	i just bathed him , blowed dried him and he was laying on the couch with me and started biting his arms and then his legs. i really dont know what to do. someone mentioned it could be a sign of liver shunt, but i do not see any other signs. it is making me crazy with the constant licking and biting. should i try benedryl and how much should i give him . he is 8 lbs.

10-14-2009, 07:34 PM	#13
newmommy Keep Me Away From eBay Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,109	Benadryl yes human benadryl and it usually comes in 25 mgs. if he is 8lbs then he could have 1mg per lb twice to three times daily. So I would start with 1/3 tablet twice daily and see how he does... its important to make sure that you are consistent with him getting it for like 3 weeks... however if the dose makes him too groggy you can decrease this. __________________ There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face!!

10-15-2009, 08:38 PM	#14
elle57 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: douglaston ny Posts: 498	i am going to take him for a bile acid test as soon as i can. i am in the middle of going for pre op testing, as i need my gallbladder removed. everytime he starts licking and biting ( kinda like nibbling) himself or his toy or my clothes, i stop him by paying attention to him and he stops. my other concern is he likes metal ? like he runs over to my metal kitchen chairs and gives them a quick lick? weird, right? or he will look for the throw pillow that has a metal zipper and bites it off? i do not know if this is sign of something wrong, but i have never had him bile tested before and he is over 4 yrs old. any input from someone ?

10-16-2009, 02:20 PM	#15
elle57 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: douglaston ny Posts: 498	hi, i am taking sammy to the vet on oct 22nd which is next week. i called and they said there are a few different bile acid tests that they could run. does anyone know exactly what the test is called to find out anything about liver issues. i have never had blood work done on him, but because of the problem of licking, biting and licking metal objects, i am concerned. otherwise he seems normal to me. i live on long island ny, does anyone have a ball park figure what these costs? i know vets like to run unnessasary tests sometimes, and i dont need to pay for things that he doesnt need. also they said i have to drop him off and then they feed him and draw more blood. what do they feed him, because he eats on raw meat and the honest kitchen. sorry to go on and on, but with me going into surgery soon for gallbladder and liver biopsy, it is all a bit much !