My Pit Bull terrier uses his paws to rub his face as though...

Answer by Hotharley
Submitted on 6/14/2004
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Have you talked to the vet about it? My Pit Bull has thin hair on his chest and his collar has rubbed most of it off. If he wears his collar often you may see his skin where the hair is thin from the collar rubbing the hair off. My Pit also broke out in a rash when I started to leave his collar on more often. If there are flies or mosquitoes where you live, you may want to spray him with some e Flies Off. It works. Where his skin is exposed, I would spray more because it gives the the insects easy access to his flesh to bite him. Also, if he is always messing with his anal area, you may want to have him checked for Tape Worms. These are worms caused by fleas that break off in the digestive system and can come out while the dog is sleeping, eating, or drinking. They are very hard to get rid of and can be quite annoying. if you find little dried up rice pellets in his bed, you need to take him to your vet to have him wormed. After you have him wormed, keep him on Advantage or what your vet recommends to keep the fleas off.

Answer by Dormarth
Submitted on 3/5/2005
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The behavior that you described may be normal, but I would suggest using a q-tip and running it through the area where the apparent irritation is, if little brown/black specks show up, that's probably flea feces. Also, sorry to split hairs, but tapeworms are a completely different specimen, and the dog would exhibit eating abnormalities or weight loss if it had them. Other than that, the heavy breathing might just mean your dog is a snorer, and the redness and irritation, if not fleas, may just be normal coloration, it's hard to tell without a photo to see what you're talking about, but the coloration of the skin may just be different in those places. And the butt licking... either he's really a clean-freak, he has some minor irritation, or he's trying to get the taste of his dog-food out of his mouth.

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Question by coachlong
Submitted on 12/3/2003
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My Pit Bull terrier uses his paws to rub his face as though he's trying to rub something off, and then he'll turn over and slide his backside along the floor. Also, either related or unrelated, the skin on his chest and neck area is more pink than the rest of his body, and recently I spotted a raised red area seemingly from irritation. He also breathes heavy when he sleeps, and licks his anal area excessively. Is this normal for dogs or this types of dog?

Answer by Katie
Submitted on 12/19/2004
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All dogs rubbe their face with their paws because,theirs no other way to rubbe their faces.And some times they rubbe their faces with their paw because,maby their just itchy,or maby they have fleas.

Answer by Cheetah
Submitted on 2/20/2006
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Check the food you are giving. Dogs can react/develop allergies to the chemicals used in commercial food. I lost my dog due to that. It also increases yeast problems which affects the skin and coat resulting in hair loss and excessive licking. I would recommend raw food. Check information raw feeding for dogs - Good Luck to you and your dog.

Answer by Beauceron
Submitted on 3/9/2006
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I would take him to the vet, sounds as if he may have skin allergies. ~Chesara Kennels, breeding only the finest in Beaucerons and Bernese Mountain Dogs~

Answer by DOK
Submitted on 6/6/2006
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A few years ago I discovered that a particular bird lice could affect dogs and humans. Advantix seems to help. Also, cover dog with oils. It suffocates lice. Vacumn up hair and skin that these lice chew on. Get rid of rugs.

Answer by sheperd smart
Submitted on 9/20/2006
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he may just have an allergy. my dog has the same problem and i talked to the vet and had her checked for worms and she gave her antihistamin to help with the itch. If it has been going on for a while, it may be your food your feeding her, alot of dog are allergic to beef, rice, lamb and chicken, that's what ir turned out to be for mine. good luck

Answer by sky
Submitted on 5/18/2007
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well, my dog isnt a pit bull but hes a rat terrior. He was red on his stomach and we think its just hives or something but i think you should talk to a vet. But thatnx for asking!!

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