Is my dog sleep walking?

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little726
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by little726 »

Ok folks, this is a strange question. In the middle of the night my dog jumps off the bed and starts licking the floor around the edges. Does anyone know why he would be doing this ?

Thanks,

Robin
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valerie
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by valerie »

Gotta admit, I'm stumped. For the first time in a long time.



I have some questions that might help give me a direction to go with

this, though.



When do you feed your dog? How old is he? What type of area do you

live in? I ask because if you are in the country and an older house, there

might be (sorry to creep you out!) vermin that come out at night that

he might be going after.



How long has this been going on? The licking can be a sign of bloat but

you would know that very early on.



Is your dog healthy? Has he had regular vet checks?



There are a couple other dog knowledgeable people on here, I'm sure if

they see your post they will respond. They could have a much better

idea than I do of what's going on!



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abbey
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by abbey »

Licking the floor around the edges of what? the bed? the room?
Frederick
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by Frederick »

little726 wrote: Ok folks, this is a strange question. In the middle of the night my dog jumps off the bed and starts licking the floor around the edges. Does anyone know why he would be doing this ?

Thanks,

Robin


Valerie was pretty close. You have a nightly visitor - probably a mouse. You can't see or hear it, and you certainly can't smell it, but your dog can. The reason he licks the floor is the same reason a dog will sniff round a pamp post. It's tounge is every bit as sensitive as it's nose, so it is picking up it's scent. A mouse trap should do the trick.
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pina
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by pina »

My dog will lick the floor sometimes when she is feeling sick, we don't have a lot of rye grass around here for her to eat so I think she licks the dust or sand off the tiled floor before being sick.

I don't know if its a good thing or not.















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valerie
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by valerie »

Frederick wrote: Valerie was pretty close. You have a nightly visitor - probably a mouse. You can't see or hear it, and you certainly can't smell it, but your dog can. The reason he licks the floor is the same reason a dog will sniff round a pamp post. It's tounge is every bit as sensitive as it's nose, so it is picking up it's scent. A mouse trap should do the trick.


What's "pretty close" about "VERMIN"? :confused:



If you do decide to place mouse traps, please make very sure they are in

a location where puppers can't get to them. They can pinch inquisitive

little toes, for sure!





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BabyRider
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by BabyRider »

Frederick wrote: Valerie was pretty close. You have a nightly visitor - probably a mouse. You can't see or hear it, and you certainly can't smell it, but your dog can. The reason he licks the floor is the same reason a dog will sniff round a pamp post. It's tounge is every bit as sensitive as it's nose, so it is picking up it's scent. A mouse trap should do the trick.
While the suggestion that this is a mouse could be right, the opinion that a dog's tongue is as sensitive as it's nose is not. Not by a long shot!

The reason dogs sniff around lamp posts, (that's what I assume you meant, not "pamp" posts) is to pick up the "messages" left by other dogs lifting their legs against that lamp post.
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Frederick
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by Frederick »

valerie wrote: What's "pretty close" about "VERMIN"? :confused:



If you do decide to place mouse traps, please make very sure they are in

a location where puppers can't get to them. They can pinch inquisitive

little toes, for sure!








It's almost certainly a mouse, but don't waste time with cheese - that's rubbish. The easiest thing to catch a mouse is a raisin - dead cert. Alternatively, buy mouse adhesive. It's like very thick treacle which you put onto a piece of cardboard. When the mouse stands on it, it's feet stick fast. It's a bit cruel, because it usually dies of shock after falling over into it, being unable to move.
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Lil~Basco
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by Lil~Basco »

Frederick wrote: It's almost certainly a mouse, but don't waste time with cheese - that's rubbish. The easiest thing to catch a mouse is a raisin - dead cert. Alternatively, buy mouse adhesive. It's like very thick treacle which you put onto a piece of cardboard. When the mouse stands on it, it's feet stick fast. It's a bit cruel, because it usually dies of shock after falling over into it, being unable to move.
Those glue mouse traps are so cruel....I'd never use them. :(
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BabyRider
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by BabyRider »

Frederick wrote: It's almost certainly a mouse, but don't waste time with cheese - that's rubbish. The easiest thing to catch a mouse is a raisin - dead cert. Alternatively, buy mouse adhesive. It's like very thick treacle which you put onto a piece of cardboard. When the mouse stands on it, it's feet stick fast. It's a bit cruel, because it usually dies of shock after falling over into it, being unable to move.
Again, this is wrong. The mouse adhesive is one of the cruelest ways to capture mice. There are live traps, there are instant kill traps, and 50 other ways to catch mice. The mice do not die of shock quickly, I have seen this method used in the Blue Angels clubhouse and the mouse can survive, panicked and freaking out for literally days. If it doesn't die of shock, (which takes several hours or more) it dies of starvation. If you need to capture a mouse please do not use this method.
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valerie
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by valerie »

To the OP: If you do in fact have a mouse you need to set a trap for,

ANY bait will work. Cheese works just fine, as does peanut butter, bacon

bits, or jelly. I've used them all at various times, excellent results.



I want to add in addition to the advice against the glue traps, do not

use any poisoned "bait". Not only could your dog ingest it, but it could

also ingest the mouse after it has consumed the bait, both having dire

consequences for the health of your pet. Not to mention if the mouse

gets into the walls of your house and dies. That could involve quite a

sum of money to get rid of the smell, ripping out walls and what have

you!
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little726
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by little726 »

I do live in the city, but i have a wooden lot behind me. And there are mice. I haven't seen any in the house though.

I readwhat pita said about licking the dust. My dog has a very bad stomach and is always eating the grass outside. When he gets sick, it is a yellow color (sorry to be graphic). Also, right before he gets sick, he crys like he's in pain.

I appreciate all your answers.

Thank you,

Robin
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valerie
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Post by valerie »

The yellow color is bile. When you say "bad stomach" what do you mean

exactly?



Some dogs need to be fed more frequent, smaller meals to avoid the

bile barf problems. Try a good quality kibble and don't overfeed.



Do you remove water at night at a certain time? If so, you might

consider letting him have access even if it means more potty trips

for you.



How long has this been going on? And when was the last vet check?

You really shouldn't let the poor guy cry in pain. It's quite possible

something can be done...
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BabyRider
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Post by BabyRider »

Does your dog keep his food down, or just bring up bile? This could be so SO many things, your best bet is to get him to the vet and quickly. Something could be seriously wrong that could turn for the worse in a matter of hours. I'm thinking of all the things it could be, from an innasuception, (not sure of the spelling on that one) to something he got into, to liver or kidney disease or failure....so many things. Please, get your dog to the vet right away!! And let us know how things work out, would you please? Val and I hate hearing of pets suffering.
[FONT=Arial Black]I hope you cherish this sweet way of life, and I hope you know that it comes with a price.
~Darrel Worley~
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randall
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by randall »

:-6

randall venturing into uncharted waters,

'evening all. I hope someone can offer advice to us as my wife is beside herself with worry over the Lhasa Apso (8 years old) which she was given in a present by our next door neighbour - we have very, very good neighbours or else I would have managed to persuade my wife to get out of this house long ago.

TOBY's brother lives next door and is called "Dudley"

When we arrived back from our sojourn in Tamp on the 10th January he had a bare patch which looked like a crater on the moon on his right flank.

The first vet we attended did nothing but give us ointments which did no good and took large fees.

We went to a country vet and she gave him injections and ointment and we saw a difference within days.

Oddly the hair that has grown back on the patch is jet black as the day he was born.

But we cannot stop him from licking at it all the time and of course the hair comes out and bare skin appears.

It would seem to me that he is suffering some intolerable itch or burning in that one area and we just do not know what else to do for him/

In the cold weather his woolly coat stopped him from, getting at the spot. We have even tried that stuff you put on children's fingernails to stop them from biting them but nothing seems to work but a steady dose of steroids and even the vet does not want than to go on indefinitely.

Hope someone can help.

God Bless,

randall

:-3
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BabyRider
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Post by BabyRider »

Randall, this is probably one of two things, although it could be something else entirely. But what you've described sounds to me like what we called "hot spots". It could also be a food allergy. For hot spots, there is a wash that your vet can get you along with a topical ointment, (I have to go look back in my old records to get the names for you). For a food allergy, you could try a fish and potato based diet. Eukanuba makes a very good one, but be sure, if you're going to change your dogs diet to do it gradually. A bit of the new food mixed with the old, gradually changing it to entirely the new food. And don't change your dogs diet without first consulting your vet, to be sure that this is actually the problem. Have they run allergy tests?
[FONT=Arial Black]I hope you cherish this sweet way of life, and I hope you know that it comes with a price.
~Darrel Worley~
[/FONT]










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We won't be punished for our sins, but BY them.




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abbey
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Is my dog sleep walking?

Post by abbey »

randall wrote: :-6

randall venturing into uncharted waters,

'evening all. I hope someone can offer advice to us as my wife is beside herself with worry over the Lhasa Apso (8 years old) which she was given in a present by our next door neighbour - we have very, very good neighbours or else I would have managed to persuade my wife to get out of this house long ago.

TOBY's brother lives next door and is called "Dudley"

When we arrived back from our sojourn in Tamp on the 10th January he had a bare patch which looked like a crater on the moon on his right flank.

The first vet we attended did nothing but give us ointments which did no good and took large fees.

We went to a country vet and she gave him injections and ointment and we saw a difference within days.

Oddly the hair that has grown back on the patch is jet black as the day he was born.

But we cannot stop him from licking at it all the time and of course the hair comes out and bare skin appears.

It would seem to me that he is suffering some intolerable itch or burning in that one area and we just do not know what else to do for him/

In the cold weather his woolly coat stopped him from, getting at the spot. We have even tried that stuff you put on children's fingernails to stop them from biting them but nothing seems to work but a steady dose of steroids and even the vet does not want than to go on indefinitely.

Hope someone can help.

God Bless,

randall

:-3Hiya Randall, i dont have as much experience as BR & Val but i also have a Lhaso Apso and my mum has her brother Charlie, Charlie is the same, he also has a patch that he cant leave alone, the vet says its similar to exzma (sp?) we use liverine paste on it, its similar to germoline in texture but without the smell, i buy it from the pet shop, its the only thing that stops the patch flaring up again.
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valerie
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Post by valerie »

It does sound like might be a hot spot. I wonder if he isn't licking at

somewhere else, maybe between toes/feet? And are his ears okay? No

flapping, head tilt to one side?



Not sure what topically applied meds are available to you there in the

UK but when BR gets a chance I'm sure she'll help with that, but Abbey

does sound like she's got a good suggestion.



The foods BR was talking about are called "Single Source Protein" and

"Single Source Carb" foods. Basically it is a way to narrow down what

your dog is eating to avoid allergies. Even if (maybe ESPECIALLY if!)

your dog has been quite happy and well with a food for years, they

can become sensitive to a particular ingredient. The usual likely culprit

is corn. BR is right, the switch should be made slowly (avoids the poops!)

and after you've completely switched over give it another couple weeks

before you decide to keep the new food.



If you can't get the Euke, Natural Balance makes a Potato and Duck

Formula. At 8 years old I would also consider a Senior diet. My 13

year old girl gets Bil-Jac Chicken and Oatmeal Senior Formula. Easy on

the oldster's tummies.



Having said all that, I'm going to give you a bit of a "home remedy"

that works but has a couple of drawbacks. Wet a cotton ball with

hydrogen peroxide and dab the spot thoroughly. This should be a ONE

TIME application, since the hp can be cyto-toxic. (Kills cells) It is also

a "bleach" and the black hair will turn rusty brown. (I know, happened

to my black and red gsd!) Use an old towel underneath puppers and

maybe on the kitchen floor, to avoid ruining carpets, etc. This might

cause your dog to feel a little "tingle" but it does not have a bad

sting like rubbing alcohol would.



Once the spot seems to be healed, you might try an application of

"Bag Balm" (dairy farmers use it on their cows) to soothe itchy dry

skin.



Good luck, and do report back and let us know how it goes.



:-6
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randall
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Post by randall »

:-6

randall again,

Many, many thanks for all the posts sent to us on our dog's condition.

We haven't had time to got the vet yet - some sixteen miles away - as I've said before we live in a rural area.

However, I did try "GERMOLINE" cream today which contains a local anesthetic as well.

He seem to be a bit more settled but I think that, as some of you said, he should be tested for allergies.

The vet did offer to send us to a local skin specialist somewhere in Buchan but she didn't say where but I think we will go back and ask her for a referalll.

Many thanks again.

God bless.

randall.

:)

"If yopu smile the whole world smiles with you. If you cry, you cry alone."???????
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randall
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Post by randall »

:-6

randall here with his thanks,

Many, many thanks for all the replies and offers of advice to "TOBY" recently.

I printed out some seven pages of A4 to my wife.

On the more practical side we did stop his tinned food from Lidl that he has been using for many yeras along with a dried food from the same source - Lidl is a very cheap line of German supemarkets appearing all over Britsin and very popular among the "RICH" folk who queue up before eight in the morning before the old age pensioners can get there. Another group appearing is Aldi.

I started sharing my srdine sandwiches with him and then gave him meals of sardine - he has always licked the tins anyway.

My wife treated his sore with cream from the vet and then tried TreeTea Oil on the advice of a friend. I added Cod Liver oil and Halibut Liver Oil along with a rop of Virgin Olive Oil to various meals.

The most obvious and rapid change was in his behaviour.

He stopped running around the house rubbing himself against the chair and settee throws. Stopped making sudden and irritating snaps at various parts of the body and it certainly looks as if he is "cooling down"

Anyway, sleet and snow are forecast tonight!:cool:

I shall let you know how he progress and thank you all again most profusely for all your genuine interest and volumes of advice.

Even my wife's friends who think I am a bit "queer" always "playing with a computer" are impressed at the rapid responce I received from all of you from all over the world in twentyfour hours.

God Bless.

randall.

:)
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valerie
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Post by valerie »

Glad to hear some good news... and thank you so much for the update!



:-6
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abbey
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Post by abbey »

So glad that Toby's a little better Randall, forgot to tell you we also put a sulpher block in charlie's water,

it helps keep him cool for some reason!.

Here's a picture of my pretty little Lhasa, Raspberry.

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randall
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Post by randall »

:-6

randall here,

TOBY's improvement has just gone so far and seems to have stalled.

Bought more "Vetzymn" tablets from the Pet Shop and the lady suggested "SUDACREM" - we did and are trying it but after the holiday Monday he is definitely going to the vets.

Just thought I would keep you up to date.

God bless.

randall

:)
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valerie
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Post by valerie »

That happens sometimes. All you can do is keep trying. Thanks for

letting us know.



I'm sure you can conquer this.



Hugs!
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randall
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Post by randall »

:-6

Dear Valerie,

Another update on TOBY.

He started to get worse again.

Not biting at the old place on his right rump - incidentally, the absolutely bare circle of about one and a half inches has now got thick black - jet black - hair growing healthily there now.

The intolerable itch seemed to be coming from between the two hind legs and up his belly. It was bare and almost raw.

He was beside himself with itch/pain/heat - who knows; isn't it a pity they can't talk.

I had tried the "Germoline" then the Pet Shop lady suggested "SUDACREM" used for babies nappy rash.

THEN the "postie" (POSTMAN) who has avery bad stutter, suggested a treatment his wife had discovered in desperation with their dog - roughly the same symptons - she started to use "Head And Shoulder" hair shampoo - I have used it all my life because it had a strong antiseptic smell and every day, coming home from my apprenticeship working all day in the tiny engierooms of fishing boats, you literally stank of fishy smells and diesel oil (gas oil some call it)

Not at all nice.

It was the only thing that not only seemed to get my hair clean but the "clean smell" that went with its use made you feel confidentally clean; important to a teenager, I suppose.

But, all of a sudden after trying all these things, my wife decided to take him back to the vet that had produced the best results.

Everything we had used she claimed was very good (including the cream for cows udders but, of course, being a farmers daughter, she used a different name.) depending on the severity of the condition - the white flakes were pouring off him.

She said that basicaly it was a yeast growing on his skin and that likely he would have to be on tablets for the rest of his life.

She gave him an ijection for immediate relief and said that the shampoo she gave was almost exactly like "Head And Shoulders" only about twice as strong.

So we have a calm, happy, contented doggy,sleeping on the bed with my wife at the present moment- - Easter Sunday, no Sunday School (which is actually in a ordinary school at the back of our house in the middle of a housing estate - school holidays means it is not available for Sunday School either.

So she is getting a well deserved lie in as she has spent most of the week either going to funerals (I said that everyone around us seems to be dying lately) and driving friends to Aberdeeen Royal Infirmary or Woolmanhill Hospital to see their husbands, mothers or friends. etc.

Thanks again for your interest and I hope that these other treatments mentioned above and definitely approved by a vet may help some other person with their doggy troubles..

PS Concerning the jet black patch the vet said that some of her acquaintances who lost their hair through chemotherapy treatment for cancer also found that their hair grew back jet black no matter what the original colour was???? Fist I've heard of it.

God bless

randall.

:)
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randall
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Post by randall »

:-6

Here is an update on TOBY'S condition.

You really all deserve it after all the efforts you put into advising us what to do.

There is little doubt we went to the right vet at last.

He is coming on fine in the past few months on a very low dose, half a tablet every two days of some steroid named (on the bottle ) "MEDRONE V 2MG TABLETS"

Yesterday his hairdresser, the lady cuts and washes him with "Head And Shoulders" shampoo once a month, mentioned that his coat was coming back very much thicker.

He certainly looks as if he is having a much happier life.

Thanks for all your kind advice.

God bless you all.

randall

:)
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cherandbuster
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Post by cherandbuster »

Oh Randall

I just finished reading this complete thread

I'm so glad your Toby is feeling better!

I have a chihuahua named Buster. He is a short-haired fawn-colored 4 1/2 pound little boy. I too would do anything to keep him healthy and comfortable.

After all, he's my best buddy :-4

And may God bless you too, Randall :-6
Live Life with

PASSION
!:guitarist





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