Dog Biting and Licking Self
Answered by: Kerry Hackett
Question from: Annette
Posted on: February 27, 2007

About a month ago I adopted a 10 month old neutered lab cross and at that time I noticed he bit his hindquarters/tail and licked inner thigh areas. I took him to vet and he was negative for fleas/worms/mites. I put him on a homemade mostly raw diet, no grains or root veggies or dairy. I haven’t seen any improvement in fact I almost feel he got worse :( I have been giving salmon oil/borage oil/vitamins E/B/C and zinc plus cod liver oil. Also making a strong nettle tea infusion and putting it in his food. Also licorice glycerite: a dropperful 2 times a day. Also added a non dairy probiotic. I have been spritzing or swabbing him with herbal tea infusions/aloe gel. Any other ideas welcome, taking him to holistic vet next week.

It is hard to say what is going on as often the symptoms you describe are indicative of a food allergy. As for the diet you describe: over the years I have seen animals on grain-inclusive diets as well as those with no grain whatsoever. In my experience, the grain-free animals appear to do worse than those with some grain added as most animals usually require some source of soluable fibre to help clear toxins from the body. Did you try a diet with some grain (oats, barley, etc) first? If so was there a reaction? In additon, some subjects to raise with your holistic veterinarian would be diet variations, liver support and prior immune load due to early vaccines and/or other medications before his adoption. You may also want to look at the work of Richard Pitcairn, "Natural Health for Dogs and Cats", "The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat" by Juliette de Bairacli Levy and "The Barf Diet" by Ian Billinghurst for further thoughts and ideas on diet. In addition, please see the posting on this website (www.richters.com) entitled, "Dog and Diet".

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