Hey Everyone,

So we are growing a little concerned about Queen Zola's licking habits. I know that Bs are self cleaners and lick both themselves and everything around them, but there is a particular area of her legs we are concerned about. She always licks her inner thighs (if dogs have thighs) of her back legs, where the skin has no hair. She licks and licks and licks and licks this area to the point of it changing to a deep purpleish color. Should we do something to make her stop licking this area? And if so, what? Or do we just let this go?

Also….. do your Bs growl at you? Not in a mad or aggressive way.... more like in a, "I am a dog and I can't use words to communicate to you" way? Zola sometimes growls at us when we come home, but it's not like she is mad. What is up with that???

My boy does the licking also - in his case I realized it was caused by dirt accumulating in the crease between his testicles and thigh. He would try (unsuccessfully) to clean himself and ended up causing redness from his licking. But it could be simply dry skin or a mild dermatitis or something else altogether. Check with your vet.

@ZolasMommy:

Also….. do your Bs growl at you? Not in a mad or aggressive way.... more like in a, "I am a dog and I can't use words to communicate to you" way? Zola sometimes growls at us when we come home, but it's not like she is mad. What is up with that???

This sounds like it might be chortle/yodel action. The happy sound my two make when we get home sounds a LOT like a growl, but it's a greeting. A very happy greeting

Sounds like some type of dermatitis. Does it look dry? Maybe add olive or fish oil to her diet.
Regarding the "growl" it most definitely sounds like the beginnings of a happy baroo or yodel. Both our dogs do this when we come home. Queen Zola is just trying to tell you how happy she is too see you!!!

Check out this thread, perhaps she has a yeast infection?
http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?7803-Obsessively-licking-stomach-raw/page3

@listeme:

This sounds like it might be chortle/yodel action. The happy sound my two make when we get home sounds a LOT like a growl, but it's a greeting. A very happy greeting

Yep, I get that sound right before I put the food bowl down. It's without a doubt a positive reaction.

We too get the 'growl' when we get home, but with the tail wagging so fiercely, it is just Kipawa's way to greet us and say that he missed us. It happens when we both go out together, or if we go out separately. It's actually quite funny, though we never laugh. It's like he is saying "how dare you stay away so long and I hope that you at least brought something back for me". Other special people that Kipawa likes get the same greeting when they come to visit.

It may be an allergy, perhaps food. What food are you feeding?

Jennifer

If the skin is not cracked or anything you can try dabbing a little bit of Vicks Vapo-Rub on her inner thighs, she will stay away from them for sure then. But make sure the skin is not damaged because it will hurt, a lot.

the licking cant answer but our girl talks to us all the time
welcomes us home talks to us when she gets up talks to us when she wants to play in that raaarr rraaarr kinda sound gentle and not loud and seems very happy as the little curl is wagging