Body Curling
by Lori & Chipper
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Our new addition is the joy of our lives. He is very intelligent and we are happy with our choice. He has recently started curling his tail and butt around almost to the point of curling in half. He even walks around like that. He is 3 1/2 months old and had his first grooming which resulted in being shaved because the matts were so bad (The recommended brush caused more damage than help). And being inexperienced in such a high maintentance dog didn't help. Back to the original subject, is this curling of his body normal? This is also the first male dog in my family, could it be his testicles falling? Or do we have a worm or parasite problem? Any suggestions or ideas?
DISCUSSION:
Lori, Have you asked your vet? That's the first thing I would do. The next thing I would do is call the breeder, have you done that yet? I have never heard of this before, or seen it before. I don't think worms or testicles would cause this. It does not sound "right" to me. Let us know what the vet and breeder has said about this.
Robin M. & Taffy
Was he doing this both before and after being shaved? The only two SIMPLE causes that I can think of would be badly matted hair pulling his skin so much that he was trying to relieve the pressure, or - like my Gizmo used to do, chasing his own tail. If it's neither of those, a vet visit would definitely be in order, I would think. As far as the matting goes, I use a pin brush on both my furbabies (Niki with hair to the floor and Gizmo in more of a puppy cut), but that doesn't really seem to get all the way to the skin. I also use three different combs on them - a "detangler" with rotating teeth, a metal comb with pretty narrow teeth, then a flea comb to get out those last tiny traces of the knot (when combing, be sure to hold the hair between your fingers on the skin side of any mats, combing toward the ends of the hair so that it doesn't hurt). And I use a conditioning spray to dampen the hair every time I brush or comb. The cleaner they are, the less they mat - a bath every week to ten days seems about right for my two, with a good conditioner. I sure hope that the "curling" problem is not something serious - please let us know.
Tricia R.
Lori: I don't like the sound of this at all. I have females, but don't think that has any thing to do with this curling thing. It sounds like he is in pain. Run do not Walk to your vet on Monday. Good luck and let us know what he says. Our prayers are with you. Hugs, Sniffs, Tail Wags, & Licks. From KoKo & Shayna
Shelley
I was hoping Dr.Mark would reply to this but the above advice is good. It doesnot sound right to me, more like a neurologic problem. I would get to the vet fast. I doubt that your pup could be that badly matted with hair. Please let us know because we will be thinking of you both and wondering.
Mary Lou
Lori, some of these responses sounded quite serious, however, when I got my little guy and he reached that age, I was amazed to see him reach around, bite his tail and proceed to run around the room like that. It amazed me that he could run in a straight line with his head behind him like that, and especially not smack into any walls or furniture. It was hilarious. I confess it never occurred to me something might be wrong. He's 2 now and every once in a while will reach around and grab his tail and give me a look like it's a game (he growls softly if I'm not paying attention). It only lasts for a second or two because at that point I grab one of his toys and then he goes for that instead. I think now he feels he has me trained so he'll do that everytime he wants me to play with him!
siobhan
Thank you everyone for your responses. I did take Chipper to the vet the same day I posted my question. I was too worried to let it go until Monday. As it turns out the vet did an "Anal Gland Express" on him, it was very stinky. It appears that when a male dog raises his leg to "Mark" his area he is actually spraying from this anal gland. And Chipper can't release his normally. She said when we see him curling it isn't an emergency but he does need to come in and get the gland emptied.
Thanks again.
Lori
Lori, Thank you soooo much for posting back! I am so glad to hear that you found out what that was about! I am especially glad that Chipper is well now! We learn so much here. I wish everyone would post back like this instead of leaving us hanging!!! Big hugs to you and Chipper!
Robin M. & Taffy
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise. |
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