hi, I have a 14 month old male cairn, he is just about perfect however he is biting and chewing the hair off of his legs. He has chewed two legs just about bald and it is driving us crazy.
I have taken him to the vet, they have suggested perhaps it is from airborn pollen, mold etc. I think he just has developed this habit. We are trying a clear halo to put on him when he is alone, but I feel bad for him. It was interesting to read another post that suggested it could be a food allergy. Can anyone elaborate on this? He is currently eating a chicken, rice based Pro-plan diet. I have tried bitter apple and he seemed to like it. He was fine up unti he was about 6 months old. At that time he was attacked by a greyhound (yes a greyhound) while we were walking in the woods (my dog was on a leash, the greyhoud was not). He did have to go to the vet for lacerations. I believe this is when it started. He started gnawing at the spot where they gave him the sedative injection, it has progressed from there. Maybe it was a coincidence. I would appreciate any help.
Nancy

Hi Nancy

Your dog could be chewing his legs for a number of reasons. Did the vets not take a skin scrape to eliminate any mites etc...? It could be a food allergy making him itch - you could try feeding him a totally bland diet for a couple of weeks like just plain boiled rice and seeing if that makes any difference - or just switch to a ready made hypoallergenic diet as there are several on the market.
It could be as you suggest a reaction to the injection site which has now become a habit. You could try binding his legs with a cohesive bandage to stop him getting to the skin and distracting him with a game, a tasty chew or taking him for a walk. Anything which prevents him mutilating himself!
How long is he left alone - he may be chewing his legs from boredom.
Canine chemists stock a neck brace which supports the neck and stops the dog being able to chew wounds etc... it's much better than the Elizabethan Collar as it doesn't surround the head so it causes less distress. That's just my personal opinion though as I absolutely hate Elizabethan collars but still recognise that they serve a purpose!
Has he had his anal glands emptied? If they are impacted then the dog will sometimes chew his legs or his feet.
Hope he sorts himself out soon
Lara :)

Hi, I also have a Cairn and she also used to chew her legs. Thankfully she has stopped now.
Your Cairn my be doing it for many reasons, it could be medical, but in my own case it was habit. My Cairn started doing it when she was a puppy, it turned out to be because she was copying my cats cleaning themselves! She sometimes used to have virtually no hair on her front legs. I tried numerous thing prescribed by my vet and eventually we came to the conclusion that she was doing it out of habit.
I had to be firm with her when she was caught chewing them, shouting 'Leave' when seen in the act! She has now, thankfully, got out of this habit.
I dont know if you have cats and this is could be a reason for it. If it is habit then could very well have started off from the irritation of the sedative injection.
Good Luck
Aren't Cairns the cutest!

Welcome to the forum :-)