Canine Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

[its_a_gas]

I'm at my wit's end with Mack. I want to help him but I'm clueless as to what to do.

Mack has been on Phenobarbitol (sp?) for epilepsy for over a year and a half now. While it's helped tremendously in preventing seizures, it's a very harsh drug and most dogs that are on it do not live nearly as long as non-epileptic dogs. While I hate the idea of him being on any kind of drug, it's essential for his condition and I'd rather him have a better life than a longer life.

My problem with him right now is that he is obsessive compulsive. I suspected it for a long time, but there's no question in my mind now. Unfortunately, his behaviors have gotten much worse very recently. His legs are swollen and red with sores from licking them so much and he scratches himself until he bleeds. I've just been using Bitter Apple and Neosporin on him, but it's gotten out of control. I've spoken to the vet and the only thing he suggests is putting him on another medication. The thought of having to keep Mack on another harsh drug for the rest of his life just kills me. He's only 4 years old and the idea of only having him around for another couple of years is horrible. I want him to die of old age, not because all of his organs start failing on him.

I just don't know what to do. I don't want to slowly kill him. Does anyone have any advice that they could offer me? I'm really reluctant to go to a holistic vet because I'm currently unemployed and I'm barely able to pay my rent. If it's necessary though, I'm sure my sister will pay for it. Do you guys think this sounds like the answer?

Help!

[petaske'kwe']

I'm sorry to hear about Mack's problem :cry: , I wish I knew of some solution to offer. I don't know much about dogs but I am learning since I got a puppy about a month and a half ago. One thing I would suggest (and a holistic vet may suggest the same thing) is maybe to try using flower essence therapy, such as Bach's Rescue Remedy. A bottle usually costs about $11 and lasts forever since you just add a few drops to your dog's drinking water every day. If you do an online search for "dog flower essence" you might find some helpful info, such as which remedy to choose although a holistic professional would probably be the best one to consult. When my pup had some anxiety issues it seemed to help him and it definitely helps me when I am stressed although when I first heard about flower essences I was extremely sceptical.
Another thing to keep in mind, which I know is extremely hard and I myself can't really do it when I need to, is the power of keeping a positive mental attitude. If when you think about your dog you are always worried, stressed, sad, and thinking about how unhealthy he is and how much worse he could get, that may be affecting him negatively. Try to send him positive loving healing calming energy as much as you can! :) Good luck and I will try to send some positivity your way!!! :)

[jenzie]

Hey Kelly!

One of my dogs, Chocolate, had (has?) obsessive compulsive behavior. He would do the lick lick licking until it's bleeding/raw thing, and he'd freak out in a way I can't quite describe over little things. There was also the insane barking.

He's a pretty high-strung dog to being with (just ask Emiloid or Vegit-8 :p), but he used to be muuuuch worse. He'd even ram his head into the glass door if you attempted to leave him outside for a potty break.

Anywho, he was on 'puppy prozac,' and while that calmed him down, it resulted in a dog that looked miserable, and I couldn't bear that. It also made him more tempermental. But anywho, I took him off of that and dealt with it until I came across what petaske'kwe' already mentioned - Bach's Rescue Remedy. That stuff is pure gold!!! Pick some up, and see if it helps Mack at all. I'm really hoping it does! :) Chocolate is so much better on that.

Oh, and another thing... with the licking, two additional things helped Chocolate stop that habit. 1) Even more exercise/activity/play time which seemed unnecessary when it was suggested to me, but ended up helping. And 2) Put socks on him until he breaks that habit! Hee! I put long mens socks on each of Chocolate's legs, 'tied' and the top with a scrunchie, and only took them off when I was there to supervise. After a little less than two weeks he stopped trying to lick when I was around, so I took them off and still no sores! This was before the Rescue Remedy too. ;)

Anywho. Good luck finding something that helps and please do keep us updated! *hugs* If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to let you know.

[its_a_gas]

I can't thank you guys enough for that excellent advice! I'll definitely pick up some Rescue Remedy. I'll also try the sock thing as well. The only problem I see with that is I know it'll make him totally miserable, and I cave so ridiculously easy!:p

I'll let ya know how these things work.

[misanthropy]

Kelly, also check out Wellpet and join their email list. While most of the people advocate a raw meat diet for their dogs vs. commercial food (and I'm sure they are dead set against vegan/vegetarian diets for dogs), they do have extensive knowledge and experience with holistic approaches to things.

http://www.majordomo.net/wellpet/

[herbi]

Hmmm... I will look into this more over the next couple days, but off the top of my head (besides what others have said):
-- Could the phenobarb be making him itchy, thus helping set off the licking cycles? or could he have a food allergy, etc? Not all of the licking may be OCD-related, some of it could just be atopy! Maybe explore alternative epilepsy meds...
-- In addition to more exercise, novel mental stimulation can sometimes lessen mild OCD, so think up random tricks and have a hardcore clicker session every night? (I know, I know, that's my answer to everything... ;))
hm, not having the mental wherewithal to devote full brainstorm ability to this problem at the moment, but I will keep you in mind, call some folks around here, see if I can dig up anything helpful? Meanwhile, my best Vibes to Mack!