I recently adopted a 9 year old husky mix; and just recently she has been constantly licking her anus and vaginal? area. She probably spends about 70% of the time licking herself there. I can't tell if there is anything wrong with her skin in that area because she has so much fur. She also developed a tendency to scratch herself alot and sometimes nibbles at herself. Are these symptoms of fleas? How do I tell if she has fleas?
Thanks in advance.
2007-01-07 02:50:40 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
She maybe has swollen anal glands, you could squeeze them yourself but it's not very pleasant, take her to the vets and they will do it for you
2007-01-07 02:53:57 · answer #1 · answered by nat 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be a number of things..could be just cleaning herself often..or she could have fleas nibbling,licking,scratching are all signs of fleas/ticks. Especially in that area where fleas are common and hide. U can buy some flea medication from petmeds.com or go to your local drugstore and pick some up (flea collars do not work). It could also be worms. Probably not but it could be. They come out through the anus and the stools so after your dog has a bowel movemtn check through it with gloves or with utensils to see if there are any worms in there. If so go to your local pet clinic and they will give u some medicine to provide to your dog until the worms go away..usually this is very enexpensive. Either way when u get a chance take her to the vet to be checked out to make sure it isnt anything more serious.
2007-01-07 03:04:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There could be a few different things going on. First look for fleas. Put your dog on her back and look on the inside of her back legs, you may possibly see a flea or if you see any "dirt" look to see if it is comma shaped, if it is, it is flea manure. If it's not comma shaped take a moist cotton ball and rub it on it, if it turns rusty red it is flea dirt if it is brown it is just dirt. If your dog does have fleas they can get tape worms from that and they will have an itchy but. Look for small pieces of what looks like rice on the hair by the dogs anus. If you see this your dog has tape worm and will need to be dewormed. The other thing it could be is anal glands. Inside the anal opening are two sacs called anal glands and they can fill up with fluid. When a dog has a bowel movement some times this is emptied on it. They use to be used as scent glands for marking there territory. Sometimes they need to be expressed to empty them out or sometimes they can get infected and actually abscess out in that case you should take to your vet. Good luck!!
2007-01-07 03:16:16 · answer #3 · answered by PR 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chronic biting, scatching and licking may be caused by a skin disorder, or she may have blocked anal glands. A vet would be able to tell you right away if it's either of these.
Worms may be an issue of the dog has never been wormed; but usually it's puppies that have a big problem with intestinal worms. Take a sample of the dog's poop (stool) in a Ziploc bag to your vet and have them run a "Fecal float exam" on it to test for worms and other intestinal paracites.
She may also have fleas or a tick (they often like to attach themselves near the end of the dog's tail). You'll have to carefully go through her fur and look for traces. Fleas leave beind "flea dirt" -- flea feces -- which look like little black flecks, almost like tiny poppy seeds on the dog's skin. Ticks will look sort of like small swollen (usually brown or dark red) bumps on the skin. They feast on the dog's blood and swell when they've drunk a lot. Your vet can prescribe for your dog a simple flea/tick preventative that only needs to be put on once a month if this is her problem.
Don't delay in going to the vet. Skin problems are often precursors to other disorders; blocked anal glands can lead to infection; worms can interfere with digestion and other bodily functions; and fleas and ticks carry all sorts of diseases.
2007-01-07 03:14:50 · answer #4 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part the fur either in that area or in another area and search for small black insects. They wil crawl way from you if you try to pick them off and they jump pretty far. My fiance's cat had fleas and you could see them crawling around in his fur and it was terrible. If you are unsure of what to look for, take the dog to a vet for a proper exam. Your vet will tell you if the dog has fleas and prescribe flea medication if needed.
2007-01-07 02:59:51 · answer #5 · answered by Jay Bunny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I understand you are trying to get an idea of what is going on here. well it could be a few things. If she is real itch all over then get a good oatmeal shampoo and give her a bath. If you see fleas then treat her for fleas. If she is really bothered by her bottom it could be worms or she needs her anal glands cleaned out. Good luck hope this helps some.
2007-01-07 03:04:42 · answer #6 · answered by Lil lady 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
dogs have a gland in thier anus that becomes glogged and irritated a vet or a dog groomer can clear this out or tell you how to do it yourself . you want the rest of my oatmeal? I cant finish now
2007-01-07 03:02:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Thats not fleas, its worms. Does she also drag her a.s.s. across the floor sometimes? Worm medicine is relatively inexpensive. Get her some soon.
2007-01-07 02:53:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would take her to the vet and get her checked for worms.
2007-01-07 03:03:11 · answer #9 · answered by Bagpuss 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why would you ask strangers who cannot see her rather than taking her to a real, live veterinarian? Get yourself some help!
2007-01-07 02:53:26 · answer #10 · answered by heathen 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋