mom2paige
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Jun 25, 2014 23:59:17 GMT
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Post by mom2paige on Jul 2, 2014 0:27:06 GMT
As a former lurker I'm trying my best to participate more... I've learned so much over the years and am hoping you all can help me out... Our cocker,Tucker, has recently (about a month) Started 'air licking' I don't know really how to explain it but I'll try my best.... He literally stretches his tongue all the way out of his mouth like he's pushing peanut butter or something off of the roof of his mouth, he does it repeatedly (it makes a slapping sound)... it can be any time of day and I can't get him to stop it. He'll do it for 2 minutes or so and then stop and then a few hours later do it again. DH is at the end of his rope because Tucker will do it intermittently at night (and he sleeps in our room). I looked it up and it says it can be an indicator of nausea, anxiety, some kind of toothache or that he's got something stuck in his throat. I've checked his mouth and don't see anything in/on his mouth (oh and it mentioned some kind of obsessive compulsive disorder too). Any ideas?  I think I'll have to take him in if it continues- it's driving me batty. I did take a few videos of him to show the vet just in case. UPDATE: Hi all- I took Tucker into the vet this morning. After lots of questions, showing the vet the few videos, and a quick exam, the vet decided that he thinks it's likely allergies. He's thinking that the upward licking is actually a version of wiping his nose (he had some clear drainage). This combined with his episodes of sneezing and overall itching (Tucker will rub up agains rose bushes, the side of the house on the stucco, etc). He says that with Tucker's looong, droopy, cocker ears, it keeps whatever he's allergic too right around his face. He prescribed a low dose of daily prednisone for the allergies/itching/sneezing/nasal drainage, as well as an antibiotic for 'lip fold dermatitis' to help reduce the inflammation. I hadn't even noticed this spot on his lower lip. So all in all- I'm glad it's something that sounds fixable (and isn't a behavior/OCD thing) and hopefully the licking will quit. Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I'll try and add a photo to the bottom. |
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Post by lovetodigi on Jul 2, 2014 0:37:50 GMT
I would take the videos and go ahead and take him to the vet. You will just get guesses here and at best, educated guesses, but he needs to be checked by a vet. If he does have something wrong, like choking, I am sure that you would not want him to be suffering. The doc can probably check him and have him fixed up in no time. Please keep us updated.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,267 
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Post by lindas on Jul 2, 2014 0:40:14 GMT
I've got 2 'air kickers' and 1 that's starting to do it just because he sees the other 2. I'm convinced it's OCD, there's no other problem to cause it.
None of them make any noise thank goodness, I can only imagine how annoying that could be. Wish I had a better answer for you but I really think it just becomes a bad habit with them.
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Post by pynke on Jul 2, 2014 0:42:57 GMT
My Jack Russell can't hold her licker either. For her it is a neurotic vice.
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Post by hop2 on Jul 2, 2014 0:46:20 GMT
Yea, I'd go ahead and bring him to the vet. My dog does this when he has something that bothers him that he can't reach to lick. ( sore, pimple burr, bug, or his ears are bothering him. ) thankfully my dog is pretty flexible so he doesn't do it much. I never really knew what it was until he had a hot spot he was licking and we had to put the cone of Shame in him to stop him from making it worse. So he wiggled around and air licked in the cone of shame. But they are all different so that might not be the case for your pup.
That's all I've got.
Hope you figure it out for your dog.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Jul 2, 2014 0:46:27 GMT
Stella does that occasionally but it's right after I catch her helping herself to the bottle of water I usually have on the table beside the couch. It's almost as if she's saying, "I wasn't just licking water out of your bottle, I was just licking the air. See?" Lol!
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Post by Outspoken on Jul 2, 2014 0:50:23 GMT
My Yorkie mix does it. It's like an old person when they don't have their dentures in! She doesn't do it every day and I always think she is trying to get leftover food out of her cheeks or something.
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Post by my2apps2 on Jul 2, 2014 1:27:17 GMT
I agree with taking your pup to the vet to be on the safe side, but take a good look at his back or the top of his bum.
I have had dogs do that if they have a tick or fleas (or a sore or burr or, well, anything irritating) on their back or above their tail that they can't reach.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,823
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jul 2, 2014 1:30:34 GMT
I have no advice, but wanted to say your dd's are beautiful!
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momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,153
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Jul 2, 2014 1:44:53 GMT
Ours doesn't air lick, but she licks AT the puppy. I swear she has ocd...she sits there lapping at him, but not touching him. And he in turn tries to catch her tongue. Some day it's all going to end very badly!
Hope your pup is ok!
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mom2paige
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Jun 25, 2014 23:59:17 GMT
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Post by mom2paige on Jul 2, 2014 1:56:55 GMT
Thank you all for the advice- I'll call the vet first thing in the AM. We're semi-new dog owners; I'll admit I was hoping for a quick fix, lol! I really love our vet, but it's $50 to walk in the door. I did do another look into his mouth with a strong flashlight (used my thumb to hold his tongue down), and I can't see squat. I'm almost hoping it's a tiny stick stuck in his palate or something- rather than GERD that will require meds or some kind of new anxiety/OCD behavior. I have no advice, but wanted to say your dd's are beautiful! You're too kind  I joined 2peas in 2004 When my oldest daughter was 1 (thus my user name 'Mom2Paige') she's now 11 and my youngest DD is 8. In my nearly ten years as a member I had a mere 310 posts, haha! I didn't share too many photos then because it kinda creeped me out. I figured the least I could do now in my effort to post/contribute more is to have a real avatar. This photo was one of the out takes from my rushed attempt to get a good Christmas card photo last year. The moons and stars aligned that day and I got some good ones. |
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Jul 2, 2014 2:01:10 GMT
They really are lovely. My dog does this when she has fuzz or a chunk of rawhide stuck in her teeth. She usually comes over to us and "asks" for help though. |
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Post by elaine on Jul 2, 2014 2:05:14 GMT
Mine licks the air when I put lotion on myself. She really wants to lick it off of me, but I won't let her (bad mommy).
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my3freaks
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,206
Location: NH girl living in Colorado
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Post by my3freaks on Jul 2, 2014 4:12:32 GMT
Our dog doesn't do this, although she does like her "chops" and nose a lot.
I was actually going to start a thread about strange things your dog does. Ours will be 1 year old later this week. We've had her since October. She has been spayed, has all her shots and everything. For about the last month, she has started trying to hump people! (I need the shocked smiley). We say she's a confused trans-gender puppy. But it's SO weird...and it's disturbing when she does it...but of course, when she does it to my kids or husband I can't stop laughing.
Melanie
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Post by AussieMeg on Jul 2, 2014 4:19:56 GMT
Oh, I know the feeling! My dog (who is nearly 12) starting making old-person chop licking noises a year or so ago. It was so annoying at night that we ended up having to close our bedroom door and make him sleep in the lounge room. I feel really quite guilty seeing that he has slept in our room all his life, but I just could not stand the noise any longer. With my dog I put it down to old age.
OP, I hope your dog is OK. It's best to take him to the vet just to get everything checked out.
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mom2paige
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Jun 25, 2014 23:59:17 GMT
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Post by mom2paige on Jul 2, 2014 18:19:01 GMT
OP, I hope your dog is OK. It's best to take him to the vet just to get everything checked out. Thanks! I got an appointment for tmw morning at 9- I'll keep you all posted |
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mom2paige
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Jun 25, 2014 23:59:17 GMT
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Post by mom2paige on Jul 3, 2014 18:04:08 GMT
UPDATE in OP. I figured out how to add the video I showed the vet (if you click the link it should take you to the quick video)  And here's my cutie resting after this morning's visit  |
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Post by hop2 on Jul 3, 2014 18:08:12 GMT
Glad he's on the road to feeling better. Good thing he found a way to tell you.
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Post by Sam on Jul 3, 2014 18:17:27 GMT
It's good to be able to address it and help the poor little guy feel better - and he's a real cutie! |
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 3, 2014 18:19:33 GMT
My malti-poo has allergies and he licks all the time. Not the air, but his paws. We have to wipe his paws down to get the pollen off of them. He will lick them raw. Our vet told us to give him a benadryl. Glad you were able to figure it out.
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Post by BeckyTech on Jul 3, 2014 18:21:39 GMT
That makes sense, glad you got a diagnosis. You might want to consider NZymes granules for the allergies. At some point you may be able to get him off the predisone. I take the people version and they have been a real life-changer for me. I also give Lacey the pet ganules - not because she has any allergies, but just for general health. The first comment I always hear from people is how soft her fur is. |
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I think I'll have to take him in if it continues- it's driving me batty. I did take a few videos of him to show the vet just in case.
I joined 2peas in 2004 When my oldest daughter was 1 (thus my user name 'Mom2Paige') she's now 11 and my youngest DD is 8. In my nearly ten years as a member I had a mere 310 posts, haha! I didn't share too many photos then because it kinda creeped me out. I figured the least I could do now in my effort to post/contribute more is to have a real avatar. This photo was one of the out takes from my rushed attempt to get a good Christmas card photo last year. The moons and stars aligned that day and I got some good ones.
