Samson needs ya advice
 

OK Samson is a mad doggie as we all know, he went for a swim yesterday in the nature reserve, clean water lake but still got stuff in it.

Today he has been biting the top of his tail near to his bum and it seems to be giving him some grief.

I have pressed all his tail and one finger tiped size area hurts, he squeeks when I touch it LOL.

Could he have been simply bitten, I can't see anything at all on his skins to indicate he has. Or do dogs use their tail alot when swimming, could he have strained his little stump?

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

My guess would be a little beastie has bitten him. I dont think he would be chewing it if it was a juscle strain, seems like more of an irritation.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

I think he`s probs been bitten Shell... My doberman had a bad habit of chewing the skin where her tail (well she didn`t have one but!) joined her back. Vet said it was just habit but the point is that to stop her chewing I used to put either lavender or tea tree oil on the area... worked a treat. Might stop him chewing the area and making it worse.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Thanx guys, I don't think he can actually reach the spot very easily so isnt chewing much. Just when he stop he runs in circles chasing his tail ROFL.

I am off out tonight and will be worrying ...... naughty insect biting my puppy.

I have put some bacterial powder in not that it will do anythin :(

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Lampshade?;)

Or find someone you know who's dog has had surgery and has a cone left over:cool:

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

worms?

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Hvae you checked to make sure there isn't a tick in that area? The cat had one we had to pull it out. If it is, make sure you get everything out don't leave the head behind casue it can be infected.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

If it is a tick, use a special hook-twister thing, very cheap from pet shops or vets, easy to fully remove the whole thing and not leave parts of the mouth or head behind. Small possibility is wet eczema, annoying and smells v bad, simple to treat with a soothing calamine lotion. Insect bite more likely.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Hi Shelly, there are actually quite a lot of things in water that can bite. Water boatmen can give quite a nasty bite for instance and they look totally harmless! Dragonfly Larvae can bite nastily, pond beetles etc. Whatever it is, if there's nothing visible in the area, it most probably was a bite.

Do you have any Hibiscrub? If you do, dilute it one part Hibiscrub to 10 parts water and use a clean cloth to work it into the area. You can dry it and put more antibacterial powder on it of you want, but you'd be better off leaving it open to the air. Keep an eye on it, keep checking for any swelling or heat and if any occurs, a quick trip to the vet Monday, £30-40 and you'll have some antibiotics and anti-inflamatories.

Most important thing I can say though is try not to let him chase his tail. He might be doing it for a reason now, but he can learn the behaviour. It can become an uncontrollable behaviour eventually and is really not good for them....as much as it can be funny to watch.

Hope he's ok chick and send him Cheryl, Dan, Stig, Hollie, Saffie & Squirrel cuddles!!! xxx

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Shell,

If he's a spinger sometimes they need to have a little sack by their bums drained if they get an infection. check there's no swelling in the area

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Thank you folks, Sam seems not to be chasing his tail today although he is very quiet. I have PM'd you gruntygiggles re another Samson issue (hope you don't mind) - may end up taking him the vet as I am a worrier LOL.

He has a docked tail and just seems to be holding it to one side :( still went to bite another dog walking past him today so he not totally poorly haha - he knew i wouldnt smack his bum.

the_runt - didnt know about little sack by his bum - off to feel his bum !

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

For gruntygiggles - hope you can see chick LOL

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/9361/cimg0380a.jpg

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

I can see where the gum is a little dark so I'd second what I said in the PM about a little trip to the vets just to nip it in the bud if he is getting a little gum disease, but it isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination.

If nothing else....if there's something starting, it''ll be a lot cheaper to deal with and prevent now than if it was allowed to get worse.

I'm not vet......so I always err on the side of caution!

HTH and big cuddles from the house of Stray (Stretch & Bray = Stray)...lol


xxx

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Samson thanks the house of stray xxxx LOL xxxx

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Most dogs need their sacks drained every so often... luckily non of mine have needed that yet.... YUCK!!!

Keep an eye on him, check through the fur thoroughly. Make sure it doesn't develop into a hotspot (wet eczema) and keep the area dry, no swimming for a while.

As for the gums, you can get them cleaned at a vet... raw marrow bones help loads!! Mine love them! but they must be raw... not the cooked ones you get in pet shops! If you go to your local butchers and ask for a postmans leg, they are usually only a few quid, saw in thirds and freeze two bits and just replace when bone is picked clean :D

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Fankoo !! Sacks ??? what these then or am I being a dumb dog owner?

As for his gums, I PM'd grunty as Sam has a broken tooth still in that looks a little dirty and I didnt want him to get gum infection. Wanted to know if I was being over protective getting it checked out.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_glands

I doubt this is the problem... you would know about it :)

sounds like a bite, but just make sure he can't scratch it or he will develop a hot spot - http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/hotspots.html

Not nice, Lupo had one once on his neck, lasted about 2 weeks and we used hibbi scrub and athletes foot powder to treat it :)

They occur anywhere on the dog but typically at the base of the tail and on the neck under the collar. When mine get wet i dry them thoroughly after.

He could have also had a tick on there that may have left him sore.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Thanks Samnooshka, he defo not got hot spot and luckily he not paying so much attention to his tail .... infact he not doing alot :( just sitting under the table and won't come out.

I have checked for ticks, nothing.

He has just eaten sausage and gravy, wolfed it down so he eating he just very lethargic. I will go vet and get his gum checked out and have a word while I am there.

Anal glands look and feel OK and not smelly.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

You should be ablt to get a vet to see him tomorrow, but if not, go to the chemists and get a digital thermometer and take his temp if he'll let you. It should be between 100.5 degrees and 102.5 degrees, out of that range and call your vet back to get in sooner.

My four are all being lethargic in this heat and humidity. Is he drinking plenty? Make sure his water isn't too cold.

Vets is a good idea, they can give him the once over after you tell them about your concerns and treat anything necessary and put your mind at ease.

Let us know how it goes hun x

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

My lounge is lovely and cool, fan on to keep temp down, he had lots of short walks so he don't overheat. Water is room temp, not drinking alot but I have just taken him for a short burst and he had a good drink after :)
I keep lookin at his gums to see if they usual colour, I am now just looking for stuff so I will call vet in morning. My vet closed down so I gotta pick a new one, got 2 recommended so whoever can see him gets our business LOL

I will let ya know how he is, bet its nothing at all ! He probably narked as I got all the attention y'day and went out last night ha ha ha

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

I'm pretty sure it's nothing too....there's only one little darkish bit of gim and it's small.

Hope your new vets are nice x

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Got appointment with vets tomorrow at 9.10, until then I have his best friend round who is keeping him happy.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._8357443_n.jpg

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

not sure if the original question has been answered, read a few replies ref tics. if it is a tic as has been said be very careful in removing it. i'd actually tell you not to remove it for fear of leaving nasties behind.

if you see a tic, cover the nasty b'stard in vaseline. they dont like the petrol and it will kill them and fall off without harming poochie.

might be hard getting him to leave it tho

if you're already sorted, ignore this!!!

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

I never knew this, always good to know as they get ticks so frequently thanks xx

Taking him to vet re his broken tooth and gum but he seems to have left his tail alone, still holding it to one side so will mention when there.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

It's not the petrol in it, it suffocates them. But they can survive for ages without air, up to 48 hours.

Also some sources reckon burning, or suffocating them off can make them regurgitate all the nasties back into the bloodstream.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Anyone that wants to get a tick out a any animal.....or even yourself should go and buy this...


http://www.ticktwister.co.uk/tick-remover-pets.html

For less than a tenner, you get one of these packs delivered to your door and you can keep it with your other dog stuff....I have a basket with general doggy first aid things and that's where I keep mine. There are two sizes depending on the size of the tick which is really useful.

DO NOT use these without having a piece of kitchen towel or tissue to put the tick on.

Slide the bent end under the tick so the tick goes between the forks and turn gently three times clockwise. Then you just lift the tick away as it will have totally let go and brought it's head out of your dog. Test it like I did.....put the tick on the paper towel and watch it search for it's next meal. You can put your finger on one side of the paper and it will turn and try to find your finger....horrible, but at least it lets you see that these tine bits of simple plastic WORK REALLY WELL!

I cannot reccommend them enough........so there!

Oh......make sure you wrap the tick up and flush it down the loo. If it's big and you take it outside to step on it, it makes the most god awful noise and mess!

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Stick it in a plastic bag and microwave it.
You will know when it's dead lol.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

This has been quite well documented in recent years. I'd rather leave a tick on than use those kind of methods as you cannot guarantee leaving something behind and that is when infections start.

Using the tick twister and we've had to on all the dogs, you can do it so easily.

Also, I looked after a friends Yorkie once and it had 7 on its upper and lower eyelids. Nothing other than the tick twister would have worked there in such a sensitive place and it was so easy. Within 10 minutes, there was no sign at all!

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Eeeeewwww, but haha!

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

i f*****g hate ticks!! nasty evil horrible things! serve no purpose other than to be evil nasty and horrible!!

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Apparently it's not the head being left behind which causes the issues as the body can reject that quite easily. It is the tick getting stressed and puking up the dogs (or your!) blood along with lots of bacterial nasties.

Tick twister thing looks like a cracking idea.


The other good thing about microwaving them is you know the tick along with all the aforementioned bacterial nasties are well nuked. And making things go BANG is quite cool...

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Very true....I think that's why I so enjoy taunting them a little when I take them off.......Hmmmm, nice warm finger full of blood over here.......Oh....there you go down the loo!!!

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

I aint putting them in my microwave .... errrrr

I have just purchased a tick remover, ideal for my doggy first aid box. no use wanting one when you have a tick feeding on ya dog.

Cheers gruntyg xx

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Yay.....I should have sorted commission out with them...lol

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Well Samson has been to the vets this morning, temp etc all OK. His tail is fine so I don't know what he is making a fuss over LOL

As for the tooth, well mmmmm gotta come out, which I gathered. The vet said "we have an offer on at the moment and there is 25% off all treatment" - me grins - she taps away at the computer and says ..................................... "that'll make it £104 for today and the extraction, is that ok?"

25% off, bloomin ekkkkkk

I smiled and said "gonna have to be " and stuck Sam back on the floor.

Bonus is I get a days rest from him tomorrow as he is going in at 8.30am.

Thanks GG for your advice, apparently he is in some discomfort with it as it is down to the nerve ending and that is maybe why he wants to chew all other dogs faces off (even the Staffy bull in the waiting room :( )

Ohh and rang pet insurance who don't pay out for dental treatment within the 1st 2 years. :(

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

I have to point out that one disease ticks can carry is Lyme disease. Its not very nice. If you are to go out walking with doggie in long grass, make sure your troosers are tucked in your socks, and if you can wear long sleeves. Doggies and humans can get Lyme disease.

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

I have a tic-twister thing and it works to remove the tics. However I rarely need to use it as I use that Frontline stuff on my dog. I really rate this stuff as the dog never has fleas and rarely tics.

On another tic note, I had to use the tic-twister on me when I returned from GMII - there was one chomping on my shoulder! (Yes I am looking out for signs of Lyme disease).

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Stronghold does the same thing. No fleas, no ticks, no earmites, no roundworms and many others 8)

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Lymes disease is quite prevalent in America, not quite so much so here. In fact it is rather uncommon here with people that have ticks because we notice them and remove them quickly. It is important to mention that not all ticks carry Lymes disease, in fact not that many do and I think if you google it, you can find the UK regions most likely to have carrier ticks. Dogs and animals are more prone to it as the ticks are usually allowed to stay attached for longer so be vigilant.

Now......a little more info that not everyone knows about Lymes disease is that it can also be carried by spiders and yes....spidrers do bite! I knew this could happen, most likely with the small brown field/garden spiders you always see running around on logs or in hay fields. These will bite if they feel threatened but it doesn't hurt at all aparently, just like a scratch. I know this because 3 years ago, my ex was bitten twice by the same spider on his leg while baling hay in the field. He saw the spider, tried to flick it off and missed and it bit him....he tried again and it bit him again before he then flattened it. The bites were about 4 inches apart and no one thought any more of it. A week later, two red lumps, a week after that, the lumps were so big that they had come together, stuck about an inch proud of the shin and had a hard white, glowing centre. After another week of this getting worse, I finally got the idiot to go to the doctors, where he was told he had the early stages of Lymes disease. He came home calling the doctor a drama queen until he looked it up on google and realised that sometimes when your missus tells you to go to the doctors.....you should. He had a week of meds and all sorted.

Nasty little critters all of them!!!

Re: Samson needs ya advice
 

Shelly, I think £104 is not a bad price at all and that sounds typical of insurance. I now always read right through the fine print.......glad I did it before stig had his toe taken off.......4 months of exploratory operations and a final amputation are not cheap!

I'm glad he's getting it sorted and give him LOADS of cuddles tomorrow night. It'so sad, yet funny when dogs have had a GA. They're so cuddly and clingy for the next day or two.

A tip for you...if you're given tinned food to take home for him that's easy on the digestive system (most vets do after an op)........it's like glue. The first time Stig had it, it kept sticking to the roof of his mouth and he got in a right state trying to get it off before I got it for him. Mix a spoonful or two of hot water into it. Looks gross but they love it and it doesn't stick inside their mouths!

Give him Stray cuddles xxx