Busderpuddle Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I was not sure if I should put this in this forum or the medical one. For the past several days, Ruby has been jerking herself awake like something is biting her. She then chews on her skin for a second and then goes back to sleep. Some times this will happen many times in a row. It is like she sees a ghost or gets bit by something. She does not have fleas, has not had a bath recently, does not seem to be itchy, no dry skin or dandruff, and sometimes she will go for several hours and not do it. I would say on average she does this 15-20 times a night. She also does not have any new foods and we have not sprayed the yard or house. This jerking wakes her up and she is almost in attack mode to get to the spot. She settles down almost instantly until it hits her again. She does not go after the same spot each time. Any ideas ? Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 She's itchy for whatever the reason. Some guys get rather itchy when they start to shed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Could it be nerve pain? Gabapentin? Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BellaBean Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Could it be nerve pain? Gabapentin? pain was my first thought too. My boy with bad arthritis in his back leg will do this from time to time. Quote **Shellie with GiGi aka: Good Girl (Abita Raginflame X Ace High Heart) and two honorary hounds Butter and Bella** https://www.etsy.com/shop/GiGisCloset2?ref=si_shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Is she only biting her stomach/toward her back end? If so, could be hookworms. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I second the pain theory - I speculate it's some sort of "pins-and-needles" type of pain when mine do this behavior. I have it myself from time to time and it's quite annoying, like getting stung. You should have your vet evaluate her for spinal issues like lumbar stenosis and artthritic changes that could cause nerve impingement. Gabapentin may indeed help her. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Nerve pain. Or fleas. Just because you haven't seen one, doesn't mean it's impossible. Do you own a flea comb? If so, go over her from top to bottom with it. Just ONE flea can drive some dogs nuts. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Yes I own a flea comb and she does not have any. I have checked, my husband has and also a friend. She is also on a monthly treatment. Nerve pain ? I hadn't thought of that. Would there be any other signs ? I have rubbed all over her body to see if there is any kind of sore spots or reaction and I do not get any. She is not biting only the back end or tail, it seems to be all over her. She was tested for worms a couple months ago and was clear. She is also on the monthly treatment. She is not currently shedding as she did that about 2 months ago. She is starting to get arthritis and has trouble getting started after a long nap. Thank you all for the replies. Sounds like it is time for a vet visit. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firegypsy Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 FWIW, my guy did this, and still will on occasion if I stop giving him fish oil. The amount that works for him is 2 gelcaps twice a day. The biting stops. If it starts again I investigate and find out that a. we are out of fish oil and no one told me, or b. people have been slacking with the fish oil. I can't say 100% why it's helped (inflammation? Dry skin?) but it has. I also have no idea if it would help your hound, but there it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Many people are reporting that many of the flea treatments don't seem to be working any more. Just FYI. Yes, a vet visit is probably a good idea. Nerve pain is weird--I have it. Often there is no pain at all, and then suddenly out of the blue it's like miniature bolts of lightening. It could also be itching--I'm not trying to pick a fight about fleas--but that really is exactly how a dog with a bug on it typically acts. I switched to a Seresto collar this year--kills AND repels fleas and ticks and lasts for 8 months. I hate those oily drops. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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