Dog Licking...all of a sudden??

We usually bath my dog about every 3 months or so...and of course if she gets filthy, we wash her.
For the past few nights...(My dog sleeps with us on the bed) She has been waking us up. She is licking/cleaning her paws and front legs. Like, non stop...licking. Soaking wet. In fact, sometimes she licks my comforter (I just washed it too) and it gets soooo wet, it soaks through and I can feel my pajamas get a little wet.
Why is she doing this, all of a sudden??
She does not have fleas...or any kid of cut, rash, infection..dirt...nothing. All seems to be OK.
Should I bath her now??
Ask my Vet when we go next week for her yearly physical & shots??
Please write back!!
Thanks...
Debbie

 

sounds like a hot spot. Possibly allergies to something, maybe overbathing, or boredom. Molly does that when she's bored.
Bathing can cause the essential skin oils to be removed.

 

It could be some sort of allergies. Have you changed detergent, food, anything like that?

 

Geez. I dunno. :?:
She has been eating the same food for 2 months or so...(SHe was very picky..and finally, we got her on a good food)
We bathed her about 2 months ago- maybe 3.....I will bathe her tonight, get her all clean again- maybe its from the rain we've been having- you know, her rolling in the grass...maybe she is dusty & I don't know it?!?! Anything is possible. She has a Vet appt On the 30th....I will ask the Vet to check her out & see what she thinks. Maybe its from boredom. I think she sleeps all day (being both of us work) and when we're asleep--she is up licking. Maybe its OCD....who knows??
Thanks for your help. Keep writign with more info if you have any.
THANKS!! :y_the_best:

 

It might even be an obsessive compulsive behavior. It's just a weird quirk that some dogs get. Example: tail chasing and self mutilation.

Mild cases can be treated from a behavioral aspect. Severe cases have to be treated with anti-depressants and tranqulizers.

 

I agree with all of the above, one thing I would add to the list just to rule out is if there are any specific pain issues....bone related, usually you would see some sign of limping and it would be more likely to be just on one leg/foot not both at the same but not always..... depending on age and breed there could be something, it would definately be worth ruling out though.

Personally if I had to guess, some kind of irritant that triggered off the behaviour and its now become a habit (as love da pits mentioned),

 

My older dog Pepsi licks her legs and paws obsessivly, like a cat does. I have to tell her to stop all the time as it gets annoying. She may have pain issues due to age but she has pretty much done it all her life.
Duncan licks his paws during seasonal allergy attacks. One thing that makes Pepsi stop with out offending her is just to pet her and scratch her head.

 

I think eliza could be on the right track. Have you shampooed your rugs? Any new rugs? You said that you recently washed your comforter?????

Is it possible that there is soap that didn't get completely rinsed away?

Sometimes home washers can't wash or rinse thoroughly a queen or king comforter. If you suspect soap residue -- take the comfortor to the laundry mat and use one of those big jumbo machines. They really do a much better job anyway. There's more room for the comforter to swish around. And there's nothing like those big dryers to fluff up a comforter!

Besides these thoughts --- call your vet!

 

I don't know where you're located, but you mentioned a lot of rain. In many parts of the U.S. this spring has been one of the worst allergy seasons in years. Mold counts are through the roof, and pollen is very bad, too.

Bathing isn't going to hurt anything, but it probably won't help much, either. Bathing every three months or so isn't even close to overbathing. We bathe show dogs weekly and don't have any problems with it causing itching, or anything else. If you can use a shampoo with tea tree oil, that might offer some relief. Be sure to rinse, rinse, rinse. Shampoo residue will cause itching.

Definately mention it to the vet. It could be alleries, arthritis, or behavioral, among other things.

 

There may be nothing to what I am about to say, but here goes.

My Crossbreed gets Frontlined every month and she does not have fleas either (that I can see). However, I have noticed that she starts licking her paws about 25 days after being Frontlined (ie, almost time for the next dose) and stops as soon as she has been done.

I missed a month of Frontline and she licked incessantly. When I asked the vet about it, he said that she could have a flea allergy. I thought this was strange as she is Frontlined, but then thought about it and realised that A) she was licking none stop for the month that she was not done, and B) she starts at about the time that she needs to be done again.

So, perhaps it is a flea allergy, even though she "doesn't have fleas"?

Just a thought - like I said, could be nothing to it?

Jean

 

Hmmm! Funny you say that about the Frontiline.
My dog was just due for her Frontiline. Gave it to her (as always) on the exact day it is due. I will have to see how she is now with the licking. That is interesting- a Flea allergy. Never know.... :?:
I will talk to my Vet on the 30th. :!: :!:
Also- yes, I live in NY and it has rained a lot. Also- my car and just about everything else- is covered in lime green pollen. She loves to be outside (in my fenced in yard) she bathe in the sun (when we have sun) and loves to run in the grass and roll around. :y_the_best:
I think it all makes sense- its just hard to pinpoint what it is that is causing the licking.
Thanks for ALL of your help- I really apprecaite it. :y_the_best:

 

Is the area between her toes a red rusty color? If so, it could be yeast.