Schnauzer keeps licking himself - how can we stop it?


(Mrs D Wilson)

Our 7 year old Schnauzer constantly licked his front leg causing a lump which had to be surgically removed. Once one was removed he then started on his other leg and this lump too has recently been removed.
It sounds to me from reading your article that he suffers from an inhalent allergy as he is constantly nibbling at himself and displays the other patterns of behaviour.
He is still wearing his "cone" about 3 weeks after his op because this is the only way we can stop him hurting himself.
I don't think this is seasonal because this has been going on for about 18 months now.
Please can you help.

Comments for Schnauzer keeps licking himself - how can we stop it?

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Sep 27, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		CONSTANTLY LICKING FOREARMS
by: Anonymous

...SO MUCH SO THAT ALL THE HAIR HE BIT DOWN ON ENDED UP LODGING DEEPLY INTO HIS BOTTOM FRONT GUMS. TO THE POINT THAT HE LOOSENED THE FOUR LITTLE PEARLY WHITES IN HIS LOWER FRONT MOUTH TO THE DEGREE THAT THE VET SAID THE TEETH HAD TO COME OUT. TUCKER IS A RESCUE - GOT HIM AS A 1 YEAR OLD IN 2012. HIS FOSTER DROPPED HIM OFF AND HE ARRIVED WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL VERSION OF AN ALLIGATOR THAT HAD IT'S SHORT GREEN "HAIR/FUR" RIPPED OUT IN NEAT ROWS DOWN IT'S BACK. THE FOSTER'S KID DIDN'T WANT HER STUFFED ANIMAL BACK. THAT SHOULD HAVE CLUED ME IN. BUT I'M SO HAPPY I HAVE HIM, BECAUSE IN EVERY OTHER WAY HE IS THE BEST DOG EVER! SO, I'M NOT PERFECT. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EITHER.

NOTE FROM LINDA ANX MAX:Good luck with him. Has your vet not been able to help with the licking and biting? Can you try him with a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter to keep him occupies?
Jun 02, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		what is causing the licking?
by: Linda and Max

Dear Mrs Wilson,
Have you asked the vet what is the root cause of the licking?
Is it a skin irritation or an allergy?
From the website, it apprearsd that skin complaints and seasonal allergies are not unusual in schnauzers.
We put some omega oil into Max's morning feed - it is called Yumega and this has definitely improved his coat and skin. you can but it on ther internet in the UK.
Max has allergies which start every spring. We seem to have got tjhis under control. He was on Atopica (a non-steroid treatment), which you get from the vet's for a xcouple of years. This seemed to work quite well for a while.
Now he is on Piriton allergy tablets and although he still scratches, it is under control and his skin is OK.
Are the bumps caused by his constant licking?
I thionk you should try and get to the root cause of the problem id=f you can,. the licking is a symptom, not a cause. In the meantime, I would try a fish oil.
Good luck.
Jun 01, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		constant licking
by: Betsy

Our approx 7 yr old mini, Spiffy had always licked and scratched herself more than is normal.
When I recently switched vets, the new vet thought this was due to airborne allergies and possible some grains in her food. Also, when he carefully examined her, he noted that her skin was very! dry.
The result is that she suggested switching foods to a fished based food with little or no grains , adding some fish oil to her food. We are currently switching the foods so don't know the results yet but after much reading, this all makes sense.
If this does not work, he wants us to dry using benadryl. Something I would rather not do until all other options are tries.
Hope this helps

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