Can anybody suggest why my Dal sometimes throws her self to the
ground and licks the base of her tail.

She is of course up todate with worm treatment etc.

Thanks

She could possibly need her anal glands emptying.

I've noticed the same with my 7 month old - who still eats anything from bandages to plastic bottles despite our endless hours of supervision :rolleyes:  I have found that if she is about to (or just has) passed anything 'irregular' it must irritate her bum and she tries to munch it - I know in my case it isn't anal glands because she had them checked out but as Snoopy said that is a possibilty!
Sarah :)

Hi ,as Lola seemed to spend an awful lot of time with her nose up her bottom !! we too wondered what the problem was ,the groomer told me she had checked out her anal glands and they were almost empty ,so were ok ,if so ..then why when she has had a poo (only when we are out ,& only seems to do this on tarmac ),does she pull herself along as if to clean her bum??????? she does this regularly , any ideas ? thanks in advance Sue & Lola xx

Some dogs actually empty them themselves.
I know in the case of my mother's dog, who is very nervous, she empties them herself, but you can always smell it when she's done it.

My dog does also licks too, it's a dog thing.

However, an itchy bum can also be an allergic reaction.  Excessive paw licking and licking at the base of the tail can be from allergic reactions to pollen, foods, household cleaners .. and the list goes on.

Stacey

IT could also be that her scent glands in her tail are bothering her..................

Tohme,

Anal glands are scent glands.  If the efferent ducts become blocked the gland can become inflamed. 

What scent glands are there in a dog's tail?

Stacey

Stacey, there is a gland on the top of a dog's tail, just short of halfway down its length.
:)

There is?  Never heard losing the gland as part of the anti-docking brigrade's arguments, surprised if that's the case.  I better restudy my dog anatomy book. :-)

Stacey

You'll notice that many dogs have an oilier patch of hair on their tail at this point, because of the gland.
:)

Many thanks for all your help

Looks like it might be the anal glands, but how do you empty them and how can you tell how full they are.

Thanks

Take your dog to the vets, the vet nurse will be able to do it, and also show you how to do it, so that you are able to do it yourself in future. But be warned, it's not a pleasant job.
You can normally tell when they need emptying, the dog can scoot across the floor on it's bum, or lick like yours is doing.

The anal glands are in the 4 and 8 o'clock positions around the anus.   You position your fingers next to the anus and press - with a tissue!   As suggested, best to have the vet or vet nurse show you how to do it.   If it is impacted or the fluid is very thick they might need to insert a finger into the anus, which you certainly should not attempt to do yourself without instruction.  (And personally, I would never want to do it *with* instruction!)

Stacey

Hi Snoopy ,this "scooting along on her bum " is this because of the anal glands being "full" ? sorry to sound so vague but i was not even aware of them filling up  !! Lola drags herself across the tarmac after a poo ! never at any other time , (as i said before only does this on hard ground !) but the groomer says her Anal glands were fine & that she emptied only a small amount from them !Why do these glands fill up & what with ? Thanks Sue & Lola xx

Hiya sue, i'm no expert, but it can be because of the diet.
One of mine regurlarly walks along on his bum, yet never has much comes out. Another has never showed any signs of needing his glands emptying, yet got an infection. Chances are it's just something you'll have to do regularly.
You could try adding a bit of bran to your dogs diet, this might help.
I suppose scooting along on the hard ground gives more relief than, say doing it on the grass.
But definitely go to the vets, the nurse should be more than happy to show you how to do it.
By the way, i don't do my dogs. I get my freind to do them, cos it really is a nasty job. Lol.

Hi Snoopy ,thanks for your help ,have to admit after reading Stacey's post (great post Stacey very knowledgable ,& VERY graphic !!,)i was secretly chewing on a Crunchie whilst reading it .....not for long !!!!! much as i love Lola ,my finger is going nowhere near her bottom !!!! i will definatly leave it to the experts !! have a nice day &take care Sue & a hopefully UN bunged up Lola ! xx