Expert: Have4Paws - 2/2/2009

Question
We have a male beagle that is 5 years old. The last six months he started chewing his tail. He will chew it until the hair is gone and he bleeds. He went from the tail to his lower back and does the same thing. We have tried a muzzle and a cone. Also we give him benadryl and use medicated shampoos and none of this seems to work. We cannot get him to stop. He is a inside dog that goes out just to use the bathroom. He will sometimes stay out a little longer to play.

Answer
Hi there, your poor little guy! You didnt say if you have taken him to the vet or not and what he has said about it. There are several things that come to mind for me. one would be sarcoptic mange or some other type of infestation that is driving him nuts and making him chew. I think it s time to go to a vet dermaltologist. Another possibility is that it could be behavioral. This type of thing can be sort of like obssesive compulsive disorder in people. If it is determined that it is behavioral vets do use things like prozac for dogs to control it. It is important though that all medical issues are ruled out first. There are other internal diseases that could cause the itching as well.

MOre importantly, I don't know what area you live in or if it is snowy there right now but a beagle needs vigorous excercise at least once a day for a prolonged period. These are very active dogs with a high need for stress relieving outlets. IF they don't get it they will become destructive to themselves or other objects. I am concerned that he only goes out usually to go to the bathroom, this is not the normal lifestyle of a beagle.

Please write me back and fill in the missing pieces so we can continue to try and figure this out.

Have4Paws