Hootie biting just above her tail - Bleeding - What should I do?
 

About 3 days ago Hootie starting biting her lower back and just above her tail. She's developed scabs in that area from biting so much. When I look at her skin in the area where she is biting, it is very red and looks like insect bites (not raised bites, but red like flea bites) but I don't know if it is red because she is biting that area or if it's actually fleas or something else. I have yet to see a single flea on her but this morning I did put some Advantage on her. I had stopped using the Advantage during the winter and this is the first time I have put it on her since last fall. I figured it if was fleas or some sort of other insect, she would stop biting herself after I put the Advantage on (bc it kills fleas within 1 hour and repels insects), but she is still biting that area tonight. A small area is bleeding now and I am worried. :( What could this be? Unlike Hobbs, she's NEVER had skin issues before. Do you think she may have gotten into something outside? I did give her a bath about 5-7 days ago . . . could I have not rinsed her off well enough? Should I put her in the sink and rinse her off or bathe her? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Not sure, but I hope someone can help!

I am not sure either. One of my past fluff balls had a problem if she had 1 flea on her. The vet told me that flea bites ich more than any other bug bites. Call your vet and see what the vet thinks.

Hi, For tonight I would put some antobiotic ointment on it and maybe a bandage if you have something you can wrap around her body maybe with panties for tonight. Besure to call the Vet in the am. She might be having a reaction to a flea bite and if she happens to be allergic to them, she won't be able to keep from biting. Two of my furbabies in the past have been allergic to flea bites and sometimes needed to have an injection for the itching. Good luck with you little one.. You could also use any Human anti itch product you might have at home also.
Sharon PIXI & SPIKE..

I have heard of a similar story, this may not be it.....but have you thought it may be anal glans? This happened to a friend of mine when she left for a month and the dog was chewing on its tail and back. Once anal glans were expressed the chewing ended. Just a thought.

with anal glands they usually will drag their butts on the rug. I think she is saying the top of the tail, but I could be wrong.. Whatever it is hope the baby feels better soon...

Chester will bite his butt above the tail if he gets a flea bite, flea allergy dermatitis. Have you tried running a flea comb through him. I would call the vet and make sure it is not something else and maybe some benadyrl would help. It can make them misreble I know. I would try rinsing him off in the tub as well it cant hurt.. Try looking up apple cider vinegar and mixing it with water can help with the itches when his skin is a little better, the fleas dont like the acidic taste to the skin.

biting
 

My vet told me thats the place where fleas tend to gather....my little Grace has allergies, thats where she bites.....my vet gave me some steroid to give her because when it flares up, she does make herself bleed.:(

Thank you SOOOOO much everyone!!!! She seems to be itching less this morning. I'll be calling the vet as soon as they open.

I'm so glad you're going to the vet for this! They will likely be able to tell what it is or, they can do a skin scraping or a fungal culture. Keep us posted! :)

Nope! Sandyapk is correct, the dog was biting the top of his tail, which is also a sign that the anal glands need to be expressed.

Yes! This very thing happened with Mayzie. In fact, she has herself bald on either side of her tail up on her back. I had no idea that it was her anal glands. I took her to the vet to be checked out and sure enough, that's what it was.

Hey everyone! I took her to the vet and they determined it was a flea bite that she was allergic to. So, looks like it's that time of year when I need to start using the Advantage year-round!!