Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. After many months of worrying about constant licking, (taking note from others experiences in this group) worrying that I had brought up either an insecure or extremely bored dog, whilst watching my rotti lick his feet almost hairless I have cracked it! It's stinging nettles!
Proved beyond doubt over the past few weeks of new growth. Whenever he makes a mistake and treads on one (as we all can) he comes home and proceeds to tap dance round the house for at least 2 hours.
Then later in the day, usually when we settle down to watch TV the itching starts - I know, I've been there -followed by constant licking.
I put the American bought Hydrocortisone cream on me, but I can't have him licking this stuff, so PLEASE can anybody suggest anything else that will help him?
Many thanks, Jan

Years ago whenever I walked a Dalmatian I had in those days he developed spots (bumps) immediatly after. It took a time for me to assocate it with nettles but that was what it was. It never seemed to bother him and would be gone in half an hour or so. It's something I have never encountered since with the heavier coated Labradors.

Regards, John

Nettle rash is basically a "common name" for any red spotted rash that appears as a reaction to something. I got nettle rash after taking a brand of cough medicine and believe me it's blooming itchy. I was giving anti-histamines for the itch and it worked but having an itchy red rash over the palms of your hands etc. isn't much fun.

Several years ago, Asti, my eldest dog would get a Spring itch and one year I gave her the homeopathic cure Urtica. Within 3 days she had gone from rampantly scratching to nothing. Urtica is the Latin name for Nettle. I was given a week's supply of Urtica from a homepathic chemsit, one pill 3 times a day, given at least an hour before or after eating/drinking. Crush the pill(Never touch it)between 2 spoons and then put onto the back of the tongue. It worked for her, cost me about £3 odds...not saying it will for everyone but it doesn't have the side effects of steroids.

Thanks, I will try that ASAP. I wanted to mention this problem for other owners of lickers. Last summer it got so bad we ended at our Vets. I like and trust my Vet but allergy was never mentioned. He had injections for Fox mange because "he's a country dog" and had to be bathed every 4 weeks, with foot and leg washes every other day.
Obviously dogs, like people, react in different ways. Poor Monty has quite an extreme reaction even though his breed has thick hair. My previous rots were never affected, but I did notice their reluctance to walk anywhere suspicious! Unfortunately Monty's life ambition is to catch himself a deer and his excitement gets the better of him!
Jan

Janet
on our local Shoot Labradors & springers go through nettles with out much trouble except one Emma a black Labrador who usually goes and lays in the nearest puddle or Drinking Trough for the Pheasants but she is the only one
and the trouble appears on her Stomach and round her eyes