I have a cocker spaniel and when I got home from work today he is going nuts on his tail. He has pulled out most of the longer hairs and won't quit chewing on it and now he is groaning. I looked at the tail and I can see nothing wrong with it. Could it be fleas? Isn't it too cold for fleas? I live in Northern MN. Am I going to have to bring him to the Vet?
2007-01-29 14:00:48 · 22 answers · asked by Kookie M 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
How did he get them? He never goes anywhere and we aren't pigs
2007-01-29 14:05:31 · update #1
we have a fenced in back yard and no other dogs come in here
2007-01-29 14:16:40 · update #2
It's never too cold for fleas ;) But he has to be around something that had fleas - another dog, dog's blanket, in a house with fleas, etc. and that's unlikely in Northern MN in January. Plus they don't usually inhabit the tail.
Is he chewing on the end of the tail or closer to the base? He may have compacted anal glands that need to be expressed. (If you've never done it before, you might want to see the vet - they smell bad. BAD!)
Is it possible that he caught the tail and broke the tip? Or is having a skin reaction?
2007-01-29 14:07:00 · answer #1 · answered by Colin M 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It most likely is fleas. Poor little dog, get him some frontline, advantage, revolution, or advantix (only use advantix if you don't have cats as it is very toxic to them).
You could buy a single dose from your vet which will cost you about 15 dollars just to see if that's the problem. Most of these products kill the fleas in a matter of hours. Just avoid the stuff you can buy at Wal Mart etc. They are ineffective and can cause serious problems.
If this doesn't stop your dog's tail destruction, take him to the vet. Fleas are the #1 cause of hot spots.
It's not your fault that your dog got fleas, it happens. As long as you get him treated, no problem.
Good luck
2007-01-29 22:10:10 · answer #2 · answered by Ann 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to be pigs for your dog to have fleas. The dog can get fleas from one trip outside. Especially if he has had any kind of contact with another animal. There is a medicine you can purchase at retail stores such as Walmart for fleas, that is easily applied. You put it on their backs from the neck to the tail, right down the spine. If that doesnt work, I would take some of the previous suggestions, and go to a vet. Shouldn't cost too much. 30-50 bucks for a visit.
2007-01-29 22:14:21 · answer #3 · answered by alcontch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably fleas....My daughter just went through the same thing with their dog...took her to the vet and they gave her a shot to kill the fleas...then put some stuff on the back of her neck to keep fleas from reinfecting her...they also had to treat the house...Fleas love the area at the top of the tail area where it meets the buttocks....you need to take him to the vet.
Has nothing to do with being unclean...fleas live in the soil...and when a dog goes outside...they jump on them.
Please...your dog is suffering...take him to the vet.
2007-01-29 22:07:38 · answer #4 · answered by ticklemeblue 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is possibly flees ... However there is a thing called HOT SPOT . It's like a allergic reaction . The more it is irritated the worse it gets ... If it is , the area would show redness . Just make sure it stays clean and put some Neosporin on it . Also Benedril has anti inflammatory ... Try a half a pill to start ... Good luck
2007-01-29 22:08:10 · answer #5 · answered by Bobbo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its flea's all you dog has to do is go out side to get them..It also could be worms..You can treat both very east....For flea's bath your dog with Dawn dish soap lots of it lather..You will see the flea's quick with the soap and water..If you see them, get Frontline..Works the best... If it's worms, well you know where to look...(poop). Sounds like flea's to me...Oh, it's not to cold for flea's.. The dog will bring them in the house...(Even if your house is spotless) Good Luck !!
2007-01-29 22:13:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are prone to mites in the winter, well all year round but dry winter air makes them more irritating to dogs. I suggest taking him to a vet to double check cause it could also be just dry skin.
But if it is mites you vet can put you onto a good brand of mite controll, i think there is a shampoo for it but im not sure.
2007-01-29 22:06:10 · answer #7 · answered by i am corban 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds like fleas - go to the vet, get frontline on him today and get them to give him a hydrocortisone injection to stop the itch until the frontline works. If he is infested with them, get the injection and bath him in anti -flea shampoo, dry him with hair dyer and then put on frontline tonight
2007-01-29 22:05:53 · answer #8 · answered by rose_merrick 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check out my cocker too!! Her name is Coco. What I can tell you by experience, it could very well be dry skin. You could try to get a conditioning shampoo, or better yet.....have your vet give him a good check up. Im sure it's nothing to worry about. Im glad to see your love for your pup.
2007-01-29 22:07:14 · answer #9 · answered by LARGE MARGE 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, bring him to a vet, My dog is a Husky, and she started biting on her paw alot and we took her to the vet and she had little bacteria on her paw...and ti makes her chew until she breaks skin..and then will create a lick spot..and and open wound for an infection...get it checked out
2007-01-29 22:05:50 · answer #10 · answered by Proud GF of Marine 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋