my dog keeps chewing his tail

[tinkerbell23]

i dont know if hes nibbling it or just sucking it and its as if he is trying to get round to his bum?? i can hear him slobbering and hes been chasing his tail for about 5 days which i just thought was fun but now im wondering why hes still doing it!! ive had a look and it all looks fine?

any suggestions...is it just him playing? xxx

[LoftyLottie]

Fleas perhaps tinkerbell - they like the top of the tail and it's flea season. Or itchy anal glands perhaps.

[supersuezy24]

My dog chases his tail sometimes, it never worried me...until now..hope it's normal...

[LoftyLottie]

Can be a sign of a compulsive behavioural disorder if a dog spends a lot of time doing it.

[tinkerbell23]

its near the middle to base of his tail i think its nothing to worry over he likes chasing it ...alot lol....ill keep an eye though thank u xxxx

[jules77]

I would get his anal glands checked.

[tinkerbell23]

jules i was thinking that hes still at it now...and he had a haircut 2wks ago im wondering if they done anything to his gland then x

[tinkerbell23]

hes panting now and hes never away from his rear end... i think vets should be called 1st thing...x

[boxtops]

Vet, tinkerbell - just in case!

[tinkerbell23]

box defo first thing...hes crying now theres defo something annoying him im just trying to think how to soothe him for now....so far its been a cold wet (clean) dishcloth held onto his bum! x

[Meg]

If he's constantly licking his bum he could have worms or his anal glands are full and could need emptying. Is he pulling his bum along the floor? That would suggest worms.

Think a vet visit may be in order. Sure it's a minor thingxx

[tinkerbell23]

no meg hes not dragging his bum...but as i say constantly trying to get to it!! so u know where ill be 9:15 tomorrow!! ;0) thanks for the advice....x

[tinkerbell23]

vet cleaned his anal gland...but even walking home he was still chasing the tail and hes still doing it now...im going to give him a good bath, vet said to do so because his gland was cleaned and even though the fluid was healthy and clear that it may smell so im hoping hes just chasing it cos he can smell it now...and after a nice bath he will b back to normal ...x

[Meg]

Thanks for letting us know tinkerbell, hope the bath goes down well!!