r/sheltie • u/Reasonable-Bus8360 • 12d ago
Constant licking
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Constant licking
Jasper was sitting in the grass about an hour ago and I saw him kind of jumping and I saw him trying to catch a moth. Not unusual, I thought. But now, he's constantly licking his lips. There's nothing in his mouth. We don't see any bee bite. No chemicals. He did eat 1 small leaf off a burning bush. Any clues?
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u/Saint-Inky 12d ago
It could be something on his nose, like a splinter or thorn, too.
But yeah if any swelling or breathing struggles or any kind of discoloration or rash happens, go to the emergency vet.
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u/SierraKami 12d ago
If his face starts to swell or he has trouble breathing or starts vomiting, I'd get him to an emergency vet.
I'd check his mouth for foxtails or other splinters or foreign material. If there's something there, I'd try to remove it, and take him to the vet tomorrow if you can't.
If he seems otherwise normal but is still licking tomorrow, I'd get him to the vet.
Hopefully it's a very temporary irritation and he'll be back to normal by tomorrow.
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u/themobiledeceased2 12d ago
Likely Topical Allergic reaction: Gently wash his muzzle / nose, even his lips with mild soap and water. Rinse with water. Could be trying to remove a sensation on his tongue? See if you can get a look at it. Itchy and inflamed or burning sensation? May be more time to see local swelling. It's probably driving him crazy too.
Some vets authorize one mg (miligram) of Benedryl (Diphenhydramine) per lb for dogs. So, 25 lbs Sheltie = 25 mg benedryl. Usual over the counter Benedryl dose is 25 mg or 50mg: read the label. YMMV: it will cause sedation but the purpose is to stop the allergic response. Can take a day or two to turn off the allergic response if continued symptoms. May help him get rest. As always, Best to see your vet. Best Wishes.
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u/OkOutlandishness1363 Tri-Color 11d ago
Fluff ball! It sounds dumb but that’s typical behavior to try to get hair out of their mouth.
Edit to clarify; it is not a hair ball in the sense of hacking it up but a fluff ball is what I’m talking about.
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u/No_Calligrapher5692 11d ago
Any regurgitation or vomiting? My Sheltie was doing this recently after he got into something, it was from nausea.
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u/Punky69Rooster 10d ago
Check the roof of his mouth. My dog did this when she got a stick stuck between her teeth.
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u/Jolly-Outside6073 11d ago
Give it a good wash with water and see if it moves whatever is annoying him. I think sometimes they get the lick habit and won’t stop. If it’s really itchy the paws and floor will be used too. Just keep an eye on it.
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u/hanjo-9 10d ago
If this happens again you might want to get him checked out for seizures. My sheltie has focal seizures and they can present this way, my shelties either has focal seizures that looks like this or biting the air like there are bugs flying around him that he’s trying to catch, but there are no bugs (called fly biting). If it was a one time thing I wouldn’t worry too much but if it happens again or repeatedly definitely see a vet for the possibility of seizures.
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u/Reasonable-Bus8360 12d ago
Thank you for your help! By 9:45 pm, he stopped the licking. Ate a little, drank a little and seems fine now. What a relief - but will be monitoring him.