Hello
If anyone can help me out here, I shall be forever grateful!  About 3 days ago my 4½ year old bitch started licking a lot and also it appears her jaw is chattering involuntary on ocassions.  Then of course I got on the internet and started to look for whatever could be the cause of this.  So I found it could be something like an ear infection, or some kind of substance she has come into contact with or it could be something more serious like a type of fit.  We took her to the vets today and were bascially told the same thing, we have to return for a scan on Monday if this continues over the weekend.  She is happy in herself and she still has her appetite.  Of course the thought of a young dog developing fits was very worrying for us.
Now here is the twist, our 6 year old male started doing the same thing tonight!  So that tells me it must be something they have come into contact with.  We also have a 5 month old puppy who as of yet has showed none of the above symptoms.
Has anyone heard of any substance having this type of reaction in a dog?  If so I would love to hear from you.
Thanks for your time
Kelly

This is normal behaviour in almost all dogs (and many bitches) when they lick urine.

I agree wholeheartedly with JG. At some point All dogs lick urine and it is a totally involuntary action.(licking urine, that is)
Also, when they lick their bums. Sorry to be so graphic but dogs don't differentiate and seeing as we are on a dog site, neither will I :D :D  But it is something to watch for, before you start panicking :)

I've finally managed to register and can reply to your responses to my query!!!

Well I can certainly say I know exactly what you mean by the urine sniffing and teeth chattering from that as my 6 year old male has done that for many years.  But my bitch has never done it and my male never in this way before and it is very different from the urine sniffing teeth chattering - if you get my meaning.

This is really quite hard chattering and nothing like I have seen before and if they haven't been near any urine to sniff for a period of time it is funny it should happen for example during the night!!!  The licking is licking as if there is a sore on the tongue or something - which there isn't.  I'm 99.9% sure it isn't the result of urine sniffing.

And there's a name for it too the 'Flehmen Reaction' - at least thats what its called in cats :D :D :D   They are 'making the most' of what they have tasted or smelled :D :D

The reaction in horses is also called that - it's when they curl their top lip up to block the nostrils.  I'd be wondering about some kind of infection.......

My bitch used to do this alot when she was in season. She also does it sometimes after she has been excited/scared of something, so really when there has been a raise in adrenaline.

Well the next stage in this weird behaviour, and I am saying it is weird because this surely cannot be the result of any smell, it that my female appears to have stopped the chattering but my male is doing it a lot now and is feeling quite sorry for himself.  He is also salavating a bit and his breath is absolutely vile - and this has come on the the last 24 hours.  He will be paying a visit to the vets first thing in the morning.
Doesn't anyone think this could be to do with some kind of mild poisoning perhaps?