The American Beagler Forum

Just got young male back from starting pen. He's losing all his hair at the base of his tail (& on his testicles). He keeps licking this area. I've dosed him with bio spot; I'm assuming its more than likely fleas or ticks. I've checked him for ticks but can't find any, but he has a real thick coat & they could be hard to find. Any thoughts on what else it could be? He seems to be acting a little jumpy too.

Its probably from him running hard in the briars or thick stuff day after day while in the starting pen. Ticks and fleas will not make him lose hair and if he has them you will be able to see them. I put a little Pink lotion on my dog if he starts getting raw, but that is about it.i

Big Dog

If it is fleas or ticks you should be able to see some easily suspect more likely fungus such as ringworm.Sulphurdene available at most pet supply stores will help.

If you see your dog bitting the base of the tail, it could be a skin infection from a flea bite. Been there treated that.

BJK

I would strongly suggest taking him to the vet, it could be a number of things and a accurate diagnosis could save you some greif latter. just my

Big Dog, I think sgc was talking about the base of the tail where it connects to the body and not the tip. I have never seen a dog tear up his tail at the base.

sgc, I think you may be on the right track with the fleas. I am guessing but since this dog just got back from the starting pen that he is 6 months or less old. If this is true this will be his 1st summer. He could be allergic to fleas and just never had them on him till now. I have a female dog that is allergic to fleas and if she only gets a couple on her she will bite and rub the base of her tail and butt raw. I would suggest a visit to your vet. If he can't find any other medical reason then he can give your dog a shot to help with the irritation and stop the dog from biting the area till it gets better. I hope this helps.

OK...the base of the tail...hair loss...you said he was chewing and licking? It sounds like not just fleas but FLEA ALLERGIES. Been there...in a normal dog you would see the fleas, and you would see the "black dirt" or flea poop on the dog. BUT and that is a big BUT...in a dog allergic to fleas the dog licks and chews so much when you look the dog appears to be free of fleas as he is licking and chewing so much the evidence is gone. My one beagle is allergic to fleas and if he so much gets one on him he will lick and chew until he is raw. The bio spot has always worked well for us....though with him I have resorted to useing BRONCO fly spray...it is made by Farman and they sell it for dogs....though I have found they make it for horses also...same ingredient list and percentages...but almost half the price. He gets coated with it dailey and it has cut his chewing to almost none.

I am thinking fleas also. I had a dog do this. Took him to the vet and it was fleas. I never saw them and looked hard. Sometimes they are hard to see.

Any chance it could be his anal glands? Those can get infected, and I've seen them lick themselves raw. That may not be the exact spot he's licking, but it's a pretty tough spot to hit, so maybe he's not built right to get the right spot and settles for something close.

Thanks all for the input. I've got an appointment with the vet. In the mean time I put him on some antibiotic pills I had.