Strange behavior. Any ideas?

Trab · 03-11-2010

Hello! I got this link from a friend of mine that was looking for a reason why my 6 year old sheltie is acting so strange lately. "Air licking" was discussed a while back with y'all and basically it was considered a nervous reaction.
Thing is...I don't know if that's what this is. I took a short video of her doing it today, when she caught me, she was rather embarrassed and stopped. The licking and movements really through me off. She has no redness or irritation on her bottom, no worms that we've been able to notice, and after a bath that we've given her there's no visible swelling that may indicate what someone else had mentioned, an anal sack issue. Now I'm not really familiar with anal sacks, so I may not even know what I should be looking for. Can you take a look and let me know if you've ever seen this behavior?

Ugh! Seems I can't post my video until I post 10 times. Guess I'll wonder around and chat for a bit. Ha!

Okay...let's try this again. Here's what she's doing: Now keep in mind, the entire time (you can't always see it...) she's licking.

MVI_3217.flv video by Trabby - Photobucket

Todd · 03-11-2010

Still could very well be anal sack issue. It may not be obvious because it doesn't neccessarily have to be an impaction. It may just need expressed. It's probably starting to seep out a bit and your dog's licking it. Gross, I know

. Here's a video explaining how to epress a dog's snal glands. Most people have this done at the vet however I do it myself. Really isn't very difficult at all.

YouTube- How to Groom a Dog : How to Express a Dog's Anal Gland

Trab · 03-11-2010

Oh Lord...you just made me a little ill...LOL! Man...maybe I can get my husband to do that for me. I know I don't have the stomach for it! I'm seriously praying that's not what the vet says it is though. LOL!

Todd · 03-11-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trab

Oh Lord...you just made me a little ill...LOL! Man...maybe I can get my husband to do that for me. I know I don't have the stomach for it! I'm seriously praying that's not what the vet says it is though. LOL!

Well, if you have it checked by the vet he or she can go ahead and do it for you. It is kinda gross! If you do end up doing it yourself, make sure to have someone hold the dog's tail. Trying to hold the tail up between your armpits while trying to express the glands at the same time isn't a good idea! trust me, I know from experience! This is what I did the first time and ended up a nice squirt of anla juice right in my face

Shrieker · 03-15-2010

My dog does this, but only when scratching a certain part on her body. Your dog doesn't seem to be scratching though. o.O I hope everything works out okay!

Lara's mom · 03-15-2010

From what I saw, the dog is licking air as opposed to any part of her body. I'd be more inclined to wonder if it's a dental issue.