Return of Excessive Licking

[ndolehan]

The beginning of December I posted about Dakota on TN about her excessively licking her leg. She ended up on Prozac until Feb. The Vet said she was bored, not getting enough attention, etc. etc. The Prozac did work for the licking.

Well - she's been off Prozac for 4/5 months now and this past week she started licking the SAME spot. I really don't think this is boredom related. Mostly because it is in the SAME spot, right on her joint - and she's getting so much more activity and attention now that it's summer and we've moved to a place with a fenced yard.

She does have a "spot" or a "sore" with no hair where she keeps licking. I think she needs to see the vet again. H is saying no, we just need a new prozac scrip.

Does anyone know what else might be causing this? I honestly thing there is an underlying issue that the Prozac is not fixing. I also don't care for the vet but H doesn't want to take her to a new one (H gets to pick the dogs vet since they're "his").

And thoughts/advice would be great! TIA!

[kellbell191]

When Darwin had excessive licking and nausea we were also told it was anxiety. It wound up being a food allergy. We switched him from taste of the wild to natural balance bison and sweet potato and he has been fine ever since. $3,000 in vet bills later, lol.

[kellbell191]

Oh and it can also be environmental allergies, I would wipe her down with a wet wash cloth when she comes in from outside.

[darkling_glory]

If there is a sore there, you need to double check that it's not infected. Some dogs are prone to hotspots in the same area.

But, my first thought was the same as Kellbell's - it's probably an allergy. Allergy dogs tend to lick themselves quite often. Sometimes to the point of bleeding and sores.

Honestly, I'd find a new vet. I wouldn't think anybody's first reaction to licking is Prozac. It seems (from my own experience with fosters and the like) that it is almost always allergies that causes the initial licking and the OCD only kicks in if it's gone untreated.

[Deleted]

Sounds like an allergy to me too. Our lab an excessive licker and it has to do with food and environmental allergies.