16 replies to this topic

[JayneF]

Thank you all so much for your great suggestions and insights. I read the link to the article on struvite crystals (thanks MegsMom) and now I have a lot more info. And the link above from MattOleRiver also is great food for thought ! Might be worth making sure some of these phones / computers / etc are shut off too.

For an update on Ted, he has had a better week, not sure what is making the difference: the alarm shut down / or the amoxicillin / or the Reconcile (dog prozac). His behavior is more normal, but he is still a bit subdued at home. The licking is easier to distract him from now though. The last few days, it almost seems like he does it as a transitional behavior - I mean every day when I get home from work, he is very happy to see me (like always), I wait till he's calm to greet him (this is new behavior on my part and he calms down pretty quick after being ignored till calm), after I greet him / pet him, then he moves on to his normal doggy things, within a few minutes I see him floor licking! Not as obsessively, not like he's on a mission, but just kind of habitual, absent minded licking. Definitely not mad licking like before (used to be like his life depended on it), but still licking. Like he's transitioning from being without me / to being with me. So, I gently say No, then I leash him to my belt, and he hangs out where I hang out (sometimes at the sink doing dishes or whatever) and then releaes him in about 10 or 15 minutes and the licking kind of ends on its own. In the day times my boyfriend is in the house with him, and he tells me he's not licking at all at those times. Not sure if I contribute to his anxiety these days, I doubt it, but ??? Could be the same principle that works with toddlers - they're good all day for the sitter, then fall apart when Mom comes in the door. Cause it's safe.

Betsy, his tongue never bled or seemed raw, but there were days when he'd lick the sidewalk and I'm sure it must have hurt like crazy. If I was a more scientific person (or more detached) I would have / should have changed one thing at a time. Instead I got him onto Reconcile, the antibiotic and turned off the alarm all within 4 days. But, since he was so miserable, I wanted to try to change any facet of his life that could be making him miserable. In 13 more days, he goes for a recheck on the bladder infection / struvites in his urine. Then we can see if the physical side has gotten measurably better. And we get company soon, so I will see if that perks him up over the Christmas holidays (my Mom will stay with us).

Thanks very much to everyone for your insightful comments. I will add to this post as the situation unfolds.

[BetsyNoodle]

Jayne, I hope things continue to improve for little Ted. Wishing you and Ted the best in 2012!!