Holly has spent the last few days almost constantly licking her bits. It's horrible and she spends hours slurping and slobbering then when she sits on us we end up with a wet patch in our laps!!

She's not due in season, and she doesn't have fleas. I can't see any irritation on her skin and her anal glands don't need emptying.

Is there any medical reason why she's doing this or is it just something dogs do?

Fiona
x x x

Could she have an irritation around that area?

Theresa :)

I can't see anything, but she's a hairy black spaniel so it's not very easy to see.

I've not changed her food recently and she's not been in the laundry cupboard for months now, so it's not the tea tree oil or the washing powder falling on her coat.

She's not down or upset but I can't help wondering about it and worrying if I'm missing something that could be making her itch. I'd hate to think that it's something I couls be treating.

Fiona
x x x

Hi Fiona

What date was her season - iif within last 2 months she could have a discharge - keep checking by pressing clean white piece of tissue on her and if any evidence suggest take to vet.

Christine

She came into season on 13th July so it's nearly 3mths since she started. I'll check later for a discharge just to make sure.

I've decided to take her to the vets on Friday for a check up. I want to get her weighed anyway so I'll ask to see the vet as well.

Fiona
x x x

Molly is in the last few days of her season so is still licking herself BUT she always licks herself after she has a pee which is quite a lot at the moment. Baby wipes at the ready before the kissing starts :D
Gina

our dog does this all the time !Steve says if he could do it he'd never leave the house :D
Liz

Naughty Steve!!!!!!!!!!

If this is just a dog thing, then I'll live with it but I'd hate to think that I just assumed it was and it was something we could have treated.

Fiona
x x x

I'm sorry,I was joking about something your concerned about ,my friend has a bull terrier bitch and she seems to do it alot the noise is horrific !!! my dog does it but I guess thats just because he can.but if she's only just started then you're right to get it checked out --just athought she's not been away from you has she --only when we got murph back from the kennel he had a lick sore on his leg and it took about a week to break the habit -once they start then its a vicious circle
Liz :)

Don't worry - I was fully expecting the jokes :D In fact I'm really hoping that it is just a habit as I'm dreading going to the vets because she keeps licking herself. The vet is a young Australian who's always making terrible jokes, usually at his clients expense :D

Fiona
x x x

Fiona

Does she seem to be weeing more than usual? Could she have a urinary infection, something like cystitis that's causing her irritation?

Hope you find what it is soon.

Pam n the boys

Hi Pam I thought that too but wouldnt give advice just yet dont no enuff :D
Asked the vet if Molly had one because of all the cleaning but she was okay.

Sorry Fiona didnt mean to make fun earlier and Molly make such a racket too :D :D

im sure id steve bribed the dog with a titbit it would let him do it :D

LOL @ dizzy :D
Liz

I knew of a bitch recently that kept doing the same. It turned
out she had a bacteria infection. Their was no obvious
signs of discharge. But she was forever licking herself. In the
end the vet had to wash her vulva with hibiscrub, and inside,
YOU CANT DO THIS yourself.
It has to be done by the vet. She also had
to have anitibiotics. So it could be something that the eye
cant see. Ask your vet as something must be the cause.

OW!!!!!!

That hibiscrub is awful stuff.

I'll definitely mention it tomorrow.

Thanks for letting me know,

Fiona
x x x

Problem solved - the poor little thing had a thorn sticking right in her personal bits. It brought tears to my eyes when the vets said what it was.

It didn't look as if it was infected but we've got to go back next friday just to make sure.

Thanks for all the advice and replies,

Fiona
x x x

Fiona,

Gosh - poor Holly. Bet you're glad you took her to the vet. Glad it's sorted.
Dot

Oh Fiona.....OUCH!!!!!!
Poor wee girlie.
Best,
Megan

oooh poor Holly--glad it's sorted :)
Liz

Ouch...for Holly...poor mite :(

Glad its sorted Fiona..
Nat

OUCH!! Poor little soul she must feel a lot better now
Anne

So glad you got it sorted .. poor Holly ... but nice to know she is okay now
Gina x