Some weird questions about my dog....?

R

RACHEL

New member
So for the past few days he's been licking his feet, I figured it was because we went for a walk near some weeds and he got one stuck in between his toes, I got the weeds out and bathed him really well, but he's still licking his feet...? And it's all of his feet not just his one foot that had the weed stuck there. So...I don't really know what's up...?
The second thing that's been kind of strange is he, well..stinks. For the past two days he's had what I thought was gas because he got into the trash and helped himself to some tuna casserole (which contained no onion, by the way, there was nothing that could really hurt him) and I thought his tummy was just unsettled by it. That was the only thing he got out of the trash. But, there's just this constant smell coming from his bum, I bathed him really well and even trimmed his bum, but it's still there. What is it? Is it just gas...or what? Sorry for the disgusting question but..
I'm wondering if it might be his anal glands, but he's only 7 months old. I thought that only happened in older dogs.
He's acting totally normal otherwise, he's out running around as I'm typing this. I'm probably going to head to the vet monday unless things clear up or someone tells me there's nothing wrong and I'm just crazy, haha.
Thanks for any info. I appreciate it.
He is a 7 month old beagle/poodle mix, by the way. He's about 20 lbs.
I would get him to the vet sooner but they're closed until monday morning and he's really acting normal. Eating, drinking, playing, running all completely normal and he has been since the symptoms started.
 
You're not crazy, though sometimes the symptoms our dogs have can make us feel that way!! I have a paw licker/chewer and hers are from allergies. She can go at them constantly sometimes. The vet gave me a spray that I wet a towel with and wipe her paws off EVERY time we come inside from our grassy yard (she's allergic to grass). It's a hassle, but if I'm diligent about it then she doesn't lick as much.

As for the smell coming from the bum area...another gross question for you. Is it a fishy smell? Because that would be anal glands. My other dog doesn't express his so we have to either take him or my husband does it (Yuuuuuuuck!). I can't. Turns my stomach. I'd rather pay $25 to have someone else do it. It can happen at any age. The vet can tell you if you take him in. Or it could just be gas. Some dogs are just gassy. If I feed mine anything other than their high quality kibble or my husband sneaks them a treat they shouldn't have, we pay for it all evening with the smell (which I'm sure is uncomfortable for them as well). Sometimes the gas is so bad, it will wake us up in the middle of the night!

Vet isn't needed before Monday. His behavior sounds normal so there is no need to be concerned.


Anyways, enjoy your new pup!
 
If he has any hair between his toes he could be chewing or licking them because it makes his grip slippery on smooth surfaces. As for the stinking, a bath maybe, or a change of food. My dog smelled once because he decided to roll through a dead squirrel. I hope that is not your case. But if you trim the hair between his pads and toes it may help.
 
If he's running around and his paws don't look like they are hurting him (limping or not using a paw) then there probably is nothing wrong with his paws.

As for the smell - well - it's possible his tummy is upset or he needs expression of his glands.

In both cases - it seems like he is generally ok - get him to the vet on Monday and just keep an eye on him until then. If he stops eating, acting lethargic or limping - then get him in before Monday.
 
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