Heartburn

[LariP]

I was reading (on Cesar's site) about obsessive licking and someone posted that they discovered the reason their dog was licking constantly at night was heartburn after meals related.

Since we have discussed the problem before but not really linked heartburn as a cause I thought I'd put this out here for others to consider and check into.

We are considering getting some fruit flavored Tums to see if it helps curb the licking for HRH. She does it worst after meals, ( not immediately, but within half an hour of meals) that's why this made sense that it could be a possible cause.

Thoughts, input or experience welcome.

 

[Alice Kable]

I have not heard of this before. Mack does this lizard tonque thing, is it that kind of licking? Do they make doggie prilosec?

 

[bullmama]

I have never heard of that. I do know the most common factor of paw licking is allergies. This is why so many see a big improvement in paw licking once they find the right food.

I am curious if it works for you, keep us posted! Tums will also help with PH balance, which could actually be the reason it is helping too.

 

[TessaAndSamson]

That is very interesting! I know Samson does it because of allergies and as an obsessive thing but maybe it could have to do with heartburn. Let us know how it goes!

 

[izstigspunks]

Never heard of that too. Other than paw-licking, did the site list any other symptoms? Stig sometimes licks his paws after a meal, but I thought it was because he sometimes steps on where he ate, so there's a little 'flavour' left over.

 

[LariP]

[MENTION=1612]Alice Kable[/MENTION] yes it's an obsessive, very rapid licking the air thing that Gracie does. It can be rather annoying.

She has also licked her front legs to the point of staining and rash in the past. But we seem to have that mostly under control at the moment. We got bitter apple spray and it works to stop her leg licking.

We are going to give it a try. So far tonight it has not helped though. She ate a little bit ago. I gave her a Tums right after she finished her food. She's licking now. Perhaps it will take a few doses?

 

[Alice Kable]

@LaraP It will be interesting to see if the Tums help. Mack just licks the air, not his legs or paws. He takes doggie asprin (rimadyl) twice a day which could cause heartburn.

 

[BruceP]

SO far this evening the Tums seems to have helped but; she sometimes licks the air obsessively when we get in bed... that is yet to happen so we will see if the Tums continues to help later into the evening.

 

[Alice Kable]

Is there a reason for choosing the fruity tums over the mint [MENTION=1034]BruceP[/MENTION]?

 

[LariP]

We just thought she would try the fruit over the mint. She ate it.
We got a mint flavored dog toothpaste a few months ago, she didn't seem to care for it.

She did lick a bit tonight, but it didn't seem to last as long as usual, so perhaps it took a bit for the tums to begin working. "trying to be optimistic"