Some dogs just have to be crated. We adopted an 8 year old rescue dachshund years ago. We tried to not crate her, but every time she was so anxious she would tear up the house. She had severe separation anxiety. We chose not to have her on anxiety meds.

She was a full-time kennel dog when we got her, so she was used to being confined I suspect. After a while, a couple years after getting her, we just left the crate out and the door open, and she would still be in there all day. She was pretty mellow but when we left she would freak out.

A shepard hound mix will likely have high exercise needs, see if more exercise and runs will calm her down (i.e. tire her out) and correct some of those problems.

I had a problem with my dog's excessive licking, but it turned out to be allergies. Here's a good article on excessive licking and it's causes. There are some good suggestions on stuff to try.

Here is a link that might be useful: EXcessive Licking

DIL's Min-Pin does the same thing..........it's allergies and he's on an otc allergy med.

I'd look at diet and allergies before I'd medicate for anxiety, and I'd definitely leave the crate and 'never' remove it since it's a place she's secure in.

How much exercise does this dog get? Most hound breeds need at least 45 min/day.

Thanks everyone for your quick response!

Kai gets tons of exercise. At least two walks a day, plus play with humans plus play with my other two dogs.

The vet made her diagnosis based on the past issues dealt with. The plan is to have her on the med about 2-3 months, then gradually taper off. I brought up allergies, both food and other. That was ruled out, again, due to past history. Separation anxiety has not been a severe issue, although, it is one that I have worked with over a long period using a great deal of patience. This dog is very sensitive. Using techniques that were successful for my other dogs were not applicable to her. I was forced many times to back track and take little baby steps forward to correct problems.

I don't really have an issue with the crate. Vet also said that some dogs simply cannot go without one. I may consider moving it at some point to another room. Right now it's not in the way in a separate cool room mostly dark.

Thanks again!!

SG

Did your vet do any testing for allergies??

Hounds commonly get skin allergies, and when I got my beagle one of the first thing the vet told me was to watch for licking or chewing around and on her paws, and to bring her in if she started because it was most likely an allergy.

Your vet may very well be right, but I'd still insist on some form of testing, be it through food or whatever. Either start to meds and do the testing during the course of treatment, or do it first.

Thanks Munkos for your response!!

Having had a dog with severe food allergies, this was the first thing I brought up to my vet. I asked about any type of allergies. This was ruled out due to the past history of the dog.

My vet has been consulted when ever I have had an issue with Kai. This has been more times than I would care to remember. It has been a huge challenge for all involved getting her where she is today.

If I didn't trust my vet so much (believe me I took a long time getting to this, she's my 8th vet in 16 years) I would insist on other testing, however, because of my trust I am inclined to go with what she thinks. She has given me a time table for what to look for as far as correction (2-3 months). She has also told me what to look for as far as negative side effects. If I didn't have the time table, I think I would be more concerned (I learned the hard way years ago to ask how long meds should take to show results).

Thanks again, I will keep you posted!

SG

don't know about dogs, but human beings can develop allergies that they didn't have in the past.

Ask me about poison ivy...

Would it hurt to use a topical on the area she's licking?

Thanks again everyone for your advice!

I am going to use a topical (50% Heat-50% bitter apple).

I also have an outstanding dermatology vet that I am due to take one of my other dogs in to for a check. I am considering taking Kai in just for her opinion.

Dealing with Kai's issues since last April when she came along has really been a challenge for all involved. If I didn't work from home so much and have the financial blessing, things would be quite different.

I am wondering how some people not as blessed take care of their pets if they can't afford it. Anyone posting a question here knows very well the $ involved, although I like to say my pets health is not about that, but in a lot of ways it is. This is especially true when the vet screws up and doesnt fix things. I really think that the profession should offer refunds, or we as consumers should be more active when things go wrong with diagnosis.

I know humans make mistakes, but I have spent thousands on misdiagnosis for my pets, came close to loosing my dog at least three times, and never even gotten an apology. This is the reason I'm on my 8th vet in 16 years.

Sorry, just venting,.

Thanks again everyone!!

SG

spiritual gardner, congratulations on coming so far with Kai. And for finding a vet you can trust.

FWIW, dogs I've had who licked their joints excessively did so because of joint pain. Would it hurt to investigate the possibility of inflammation/joint issues with Kai?

When dealing with vets, sooner or later I casually mention that a relative of mine is a lawyer. Sadly, this gets me better service and clearer explanations of every diagnosis and proposed treatment.

Thanks Anita22 for your response!!

I did bring up joint pain issue and it was ruled out. Kai is not showing lameness.

I like your technique about mentioning a lawyer, I only wish I had thought of it years ago when I was going through such pure hell with my old girl. I have learned tons from hands on experience though!

My current vet is loved, loved, loved and equally trusted by everyone I have talked to about. I have sent so many new clients to her, they all have the same feelings. She answers her own phone, calls back promptly, figures out her own charges, and in general really goes out of her way to accommodate her clients. Each client gets at least 30 minutes blocked in her schedule, she is never rushed. She does not work herself to death like other vets I had. She is not in her office after noon on Wednesdays and not at all on Saturday. Other weekdays she is away from the office from 2-5p.m. If an emergency comes up, she initially tells clients that they will need to go to an alternate emergency facility. I can live with that.

Thanks again,

SG

I've never had experience with anxiety in dogs. Though I must say I am a very laid back person and my dogs tend to reflect that.

It sounds like you are very happy with your vet, but I find anxiety an odd diagnosis. Are you an anxious and nervous person? I think if one thinks about the dogs that they know and their people, that many dog's general disposition reflects that of their humans.

I agree with some of the others that have posted here to really investigate the other alternatives of allergies and joint pain.

There is a specific diet protocol one can follow that costs virtually nothing (except food that you would be buying anyway). You carefully look at the ingredients in the diet that you are feeding now and change it for one month to something different and monitor for changes in behavior. You can change the diet once a month for three or four months and watch for changes in behavior. I would find it hard that a vet wouldn't recommend at least trying that.

My dogs keep their crates their entire lives. Don't get rid of your dog's crate.

Thanks for your response Joepyeweed,

I agree with you, dogs do reflect their masters personality etc. In this case, I don't think that could be the case (one of my friends one day commented that if I were any calmer, I'd be dead).

I have also had two dogs that have had food allergies, one with corn the other wheat and did the things you suggested to correct it.

I am going to call my vet today to find out how long it will be before I start to see results. I have noticed that her approach to strangers is more positive. She is very timid and this seems to have changed somewhat (this is also a reason some training has been such a huge challenge). I always do this with any meds, I just forgot. I already asked what side effects to look for.

In general, Kai is a "special needs" dog. Very sweet but very very demanding. I don't have a problem with this, but every time I am on the road to fixing an issue something new comes up that must be attended to, so it tends to get frustrating for all involved.

Thanks again, I will keep you posted!!

SG

One of my dogs is a rescue, and when we got him he would keep me up at night because he bit, licked and chewed at his front paws so much (he also had other allergy problems in addition). I did a lot of research on it because he seemed so miserable. It turned out to be food allergies with our dog, and I'm not saying that is the case with yours.

However, I remember something interesting from the reading I did back then. Our dog is also anxious, and I had read that once a dog starts chewing/licking his or her paws, it can become a nervous habit much like a human biting his or her fingernails. So I am wondering if that might be along the lines of what Kai is going through. It might be a nervous habit that is hard to break, from what I read before.

Hi Sarro, Thanks for the post!!

You basically said the same thing my vet did. I am using topical on the licking area. When she first looked at the affected area, she pointed out that the area around the sore was dark from dried saliva. She drew her diagnosis from past experience. I was/am concerned about a food allergy. I already have one dog on venison and potato (Meredyth). I may just switch Kai and the third dog (Anela) over and have everyone on it.

Thanks again!!!

SG

If you don't have luck with that food you have, the one that has been working wonders for us is Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato. They seem to think it's tasty and they have no allergic reaction to it either. They also LOVE the Wellness brand salmon and venison treats, which have been good for food allergies if you want to give those a try. Stick with whatever works because I find one bite of the wrong thing can set our guy into an itching frenzy. Those foods have been life savers for me. It might be worth trying. Good luck.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their post!

Things with Kai seem to be moving along in a positive direction. I am in contact with my vet when I need to be, and she is well aware of all of my concerns.

In the mean time, I am researching etc. everything I can find about her drug and overall situation.

Fortunately, I have tons of patience. Something that is desperately needed in this type of situation.

Thanks again!!

SG