by CarolC » Tue Jun 21, 2016 1:34 pm
Yes, it could be caused by a sensation she is feeling. Is she still chewing or licking after the boots are off? If not, then disregard the following. Some dogs go through a chewing stage during recovery. The theory is that they are feeling a kind of pins and needles sensation as feeling begins to return to the leg (or other body part), sort of like we do when we sleep on our arm funny and it goes numb, then tingles when it begins to wake back up. It is temporary, but while they are in this stage some dogs will actually do real damage to themselves because they don't stop licking and chewing, to the point of bleeding or self mutilation. There didn't used to be a good solution for it, other than anti-lick preparations or the cone collar and other physical protection, and they were not really dependable or 100% effective. For example, dogs will sometimes get out of the lampshade collar or chew anyway in spite of bitter apple or the like. But now they have a medication for it called gabapentin. You might talk to your vet about gabapentin (Neurontin). In the meantime, I would put her in a cone collar if she is still chewing or licking after the boot or wrap is off. There have been cases here where the dog chewed off toes or part of the p*enis, and I know of 2 cases where the dog did so much damage it had to be put down. Unfortunately people cannot watch their dog every minute, and it can happen overnight or while the owner is away at work, and they come home and find the dog has chewed until bleeding. The good news is, it does indicate feeling is returning, and it is temporary, and gabapentin is effective, but I would ask the vet about the medication right away.