Sappiness

MrsMyrtle

We have a large tree in our backyard that drops a TON of sap. We can't use our patio or patio furniture because it's covered in it. This also means that whenever Toby goes outside, he's covered in sap, as well.

He's always had seasonal allergies and takes some medicine for it, but now he licks himself CON.STANT.LY. He licks his paws, he licks his belly, he licks his butt, and when he's not licking, he's itching. We use baby wipes to wipe off his paws when he comes inside, but it doesn't seem to make any difference. He gets a bath once/week now because of it.

WWYD? Does anyone else deal with a sappy, itchy, weiner-licking dog?

MrsMyrtle

Actually, zilla, we used to think the same thing about baths drying out their coats. Our vets told us that's an old wives tale, and that dogs need to be bathed and conditioned just like we do to maintain their natural oils. 

MinM

Fonzie was a licker, but not because of sap. I was going to take him to the doc for allergy meds (because that is was I suspected it to be), but he got adopted too fast.

Finnigan was also a licker, but I think he just liked to lick. I finally got him to target certain areas that weren't gross. Like he could lick his feel or my feet, but not his peen and then my face. I think it was a comfort thing for him.

MrsMyrtle

I wish we could train him to only lick certain places, but he's an equal-opportunity licker. And I can't tell you how many times he's woken us up with his slurping. Yesterday he was up at 5am slurping on his weiner. Damn dog.

*Barbie*

Rogue is allergic to EVERYTHING, and she'll lick/bite at her paws until the pads are ripped open. We give her steriods to help counteract the allergies, allergy shots, and will give her another medicine if she gets a bad flare up. 

Bitter apple spray could help discourage licking, but you might want to look into treating the allergy if you can. 

have you looked into food allergies too? one symptom is constant licking of paws. 

MrsMyrtle

Hmm.... no, we've never even thought of food allergies, Barbie. God, I hope that's not the problem.

*Barbie*

we did a full panel allergy test on Rogue, and were amazed at the amount of stuff she was allergic to - beef and ragweed are her top 2, but she's allergic to 3/5 most abundant grasses in our area, various types of pollen, molds, lamb, venison (that's a killer because most allergy dog foods have lamb or venison), soy products, grain products, barley, etc. 

Toby may also be reacting to new environmental triggers, since you're in a different climate/region in LA.