Excessive licking on paws

My 2.5 year old Bichon has been excessively licking on his paws, usually a back foot non stop.  We can't see anything wrong with his foot.  Any ideas on why he would do this?

Also, he pees in the house sometimes.  I notice that on the weekends that we have the kids, he seems to do this more than on the weekends that it's just my husband and I.  Last night the two of us were watching a movie and he was laying on the couch with us and started circling and pulling at the blanket, I thought he was just tired and was going to sleep, instead he squatted and started to pee right next to me.  I don't understand this odd behavior.

Any help, suggestions??

[scaredjo]

my weimeraner constantly licks her paws it drives me nuts, so long as you have had a good look and there is nothing stuck in there theres not much you can do, i use an anti scratch spray if it gets too much.
as for the weeing my friends ***** does it usually for attention she especially does it if my friend has people round or is playing with the hamster!!! its like shes saying whoo hoo look at me!!!! she doesn do it as often now, all i can suggest is as soon as you see any odd behaviour from him put him outside or were ever he usually wees

[Misfits4Me]

Lucky you....You have my favorite Breed.....The foot: Is it larger than the other's? Any redness or inflammation? Look underneath between his pads. Are any of them swollen? Smell it,is there any odor? Push on it, does he flinch? Check his nails, do they appear OK?  Let me know....Karla
P.S. Can't help you with the potty thing.....I'm not too good at any of that!  Sorry.  ;)

[noworries22]

I just checked it and it's easy to see his nails now since he was licking on it.  I have checked in the past and nothing, but today one toenail is discolored.

What does it mean?  A trip to the vet, I bet.

Thanks-
Vicki

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Vicki....How is the discoloration different.? Check where the nail meets the toe. See anything odd?  Red, swollen or yellow? Wiggle the toenail, is it loose? He may have got it caught in something  & pulled the nail away from the toe or possibly cracked it. It may be causing him pain & he can't leave it alone. If you see any inflammation, you can apply an over the counter antibiotic ointment (Preferably with a painkiller in it). His licking is going to irritate it more. I'd watch it a few days. The two times we've had nail problems here, were both bloodbaths and I had to have the Vet remove them. :(    Let me know what you find...Karla

[noworries22]

Karla,

it looks like when we smash our nail and there is blood under it something like that.  It's odd.  

Let me know what you think.

Vicki

[Mandapanda17]

my 4 1/2 year old pit bull licks her paws constanstly.. doesn't seem to hurt anything except that she leaves wet spots wherever she decides to do it. ???

[Mandapanda17]

my 4 1/2 year old pit bull licks her paws constanstly.. doesn't seem to hurt anything except that she leaves wet spots wherever she decides to do it. ???

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Vicki, OK, I bet he's got it caught in something and irritated the nail. Can be something as simple as getting it stuck in a piece of carpet or hit it wrong when he landed from a jump. Here's what I'd do: The nail will tighten up (If loose) and/or the bruising will grow out as the nail grows. If you don't see any redness or swelling, then it's not infected. (Watch for this as it can happen). Wash it with soap and water and dry it real good. Your biggest problem is going to be to get him to leave it alone so it can heal. During the day, put a baby sock over it. You will have to tape the top of the sock to keep it on. At night, let it air out while he's asleep. He can take benedryl (1mg. per lb) OR baby aspirin (81mg.) to ease the irritation. It should be better in a week...................Good luck.................. Karla
P.S. If it gets infected, he will need antibiotics from the Vet.

[flynn126]

You have probably long since resolved your dog's problems. My comment is more toward the odd urination behavior, this is a red flag symptom of diabetes. And the animal needs to be seen by a vet.
My dog's initial diabetes symptoms were the inappropriate urination, along with excessive thirst. He was diagnosed having diabetes, and is on daily insulin injections. The current issue is excessive paw licking. I know that human diabetics have issues with their feet, circulation and healing. So, I'm concerned that Sparky now has foot or circulation complications related to his diabetes.

[magua_8]

Same thing happened to my dog. He has diabetes and is on insulin twice a day. But I also noticed him licking paws excessively. I also had the same concern about circulation in his feet. What ever happened to your dog and the paw licking?

[magua_8]

Same thing happened to my dog. He has diabetes and is on insulin twice a day. But I also noticed him licking paws excessively. I also had the same concern about circulation in his feet. What ever happened to your dog and the paw licking?