Lunar Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 This isn't about the border collie in my house, but it's a general dog health issue... Zeeke has been obsessively licking his rear end for a couple of days. It is driving me NUTS (the sound.... ick). He's always licked his rear now and then, but it's become an issue... he'll be at it for 5 minutes and when I tell him to STOP he really looks like he's fighting the urge and sometimes resumes anyways. This happens several times a day. I don't SEE any issues around his anus, it looks the same as usual. He's been defecating as usual, nothing strange there, no diarrhea. He has been passing gas more frequently, so I'm wondering if that's what's causing this behavior. If it continues I'll take him to see the vet, but I'm just wondering if there's anything I should be looking for that would explain why he's so insistent on licking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Bring him in. GSD's can be prone to fistulas. He could have clogged anal glands, or, like my Nikke, have a tumor- which reared it's REALLY ugly head one day when I finally looked to see why she was licking herself so much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 I would take him to the vet and have the anal glands expressed. You never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Because he is a GSD I say take him to the vet! GSDs have lots and lots of issues in that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Ditto what everyone else said--it could be anything from anal glands to pain in the joints of his rear end. Let the vet have a look and see if y'all can figure out what's causing the discomfort. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar Posted January 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Oh great, I love hearing that GSDs are prone to more issues. Guess it's a trip to the vet for us. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Oh great, I love hearing that GSDs are prone to more issues. Guess it's a trip to the vet for us. Thanks everyone! Guess what my default answer is on exams when the question is, "In what breed is X disease found most often?" If I answer GSD I can be correct 90% of the time. LOVE the breed, couldn't bring myself to own one knowing what I know now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Guess what my default answer is on exams when the question is, "In what breed is X disease found most often?" If I answer GSD I can be correct 90% of the time. LOVE the breed, couldn't bring myself to own one knowing what I know now... I'm learning this. Every time we've ended up at the vet (with Zeeke, it's not infrequent - nor cheap) the vets have said, "Sounds normal for a Shepherd..." Hubby just says, "None of my other shepherds had X!" and I have to point out to him that he had mixed breeds. (Of course his GSD/Lab mix had HORRIBLE hips as well.) I am simply not used to this! Oreo barely had a cold all her life, and at nearly 13 years old she's still in wonderful health. Zoe got diarrhea once. Zeeke? Ummmm. He pukes near daily (froth), ANY deviation in his feeding results in diarrhea for a day, he gets sick in the car, he has bad hip displasia (which thankfully we do not see any outward evidence of anymore), he's had skin problems.... OMG. It's insane! And I just know hubby will want another GSD when he passes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 What about one of the many GSD like breeds, such as a Malinois or Tervuren? Or, you could get on the waiting list to adopt a seeing eye dog flunk out. They are VERY strictly bred for health and temperament and all the ones I've met are wonderful. Better get on the list sooner rather than later, I've heard it takes many years to get to the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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