Boxer Licking Genital Area RAW! ; anxiety in boxer; valerian usage in canine;

Question
QUESTION: Hi~
I have a 6 1/2 yr old female (spayed) Boxer that I rescued 3 yrs ago.  She has a habit of licking her genital area until it is raw. We have seen a vet for this and no conclusions could be made medically (no UTI or discharge problems).  He seems to think it may be her anxiety.  I am reluctant to give her prescribed medications, but I have tried Rescue Remedy for her anxiety (she does get very anxious, especially when I am upset.  I try to change my tone, and let her know that she isn't the cause of it, but I find her licking as soon as I walk away).

I keep the area from becoming infected with regular treatment of cleaning with hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball.  But I am concerned with this licking behavior.  Any advice?

ANSWER: Hi Marcie , I am glad you did see your local vet for some help:
Now... lets try some natural supplements to help your boxer girl.
I am sure she has some OCD - obcessive compulsive licking related to ? anixety or just " old habit:

1.  Let's get her onto a Valerian Time release herbal supplement - VERY safe - ( you can get this at any Walmart or Target store)
*give her one time-release each evening at bed time.  ( hide in a treat or pill pocket)
This will help to take the edge off the anxiety and compulsion of licking.
( give 1 in the am - when you are going out for over 8 hours

2.  Please start her on 1 Wafer per day of the NuVET supplement -  This will help to heal the skin and also helps with Allergy issues.  
(* wipe her with a unscented baby wipe each day)
NuVET is one of the BEST vitamins in the USA -  1000s of my clients take 1-2 NuVET wafers per day:
call in at  1-800-474-7044  ( TELL them Marie Peppers of ASK the Pet Nurse sent you for (1)NuVET per day )
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html
Make sure you write down my name :  Marie Peppers
and my e-mail :   mtnmom@gci.net

So we can stay in contact.  We may need to add some oils and change her food.
I don't like to do too many changes at one time.
Valerian and NuVET for our first options...... OK?

Marie Peppers LPN MA

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Marie!  I think I have some valerian already, just didn't know I could give it to her or what dosage to give.  I forgot to mention that she takes glucosamine/chondrotin (sp?) because she is getting older and has arthritis, so she is having difficulty getting in and out of the car, getting up the stairs, etc.  My vet said to give her he same OTC that I take.  And he has her on 500 mg of Vitamin C because she had an UTI years ago and he says this will help her to avoid getting them again.

She eats Natural Balance Limited Ingredient dry food (no wheat), and the allergy versions of their wet food, Duck and Venison are the two flavors for the wet. For treats she gets DOGSWELL Chicken Jerky or Duck Jerky strips (all natural and they have Lavender and Chamomile on the chicken and Glucosimine on the Duck) or she gets raw marrow bones from the butcher at the grocery store.  Im VERY picky when it comes to the food my pets get. I would rather spend a little more monthly than have them be sick from what Im feeding them.  Even my fish get fresh veggies and meats (cichlids) But especially Abby, being a Boxer, its very important that she eat things that don't bother her system.  Merricks Before Grain didn't go well with her, but my cats LOVE it.

Oh and when she does get peanut butter, its for the whole foods and the kind that you grind up right there without anything added to it.  We put it into the empty marrow bones and freeze them.  she loves that and she adores fresh fruit.  She will eat any fruit I am eating (No GRAPES allowed) so that was her treat during the summer.

Okay, so thats what she eats.  I really do think that this is an old behavior that she just can't kick.  Its taken years to get her to allow me to touch her ears or her face.  Who know what happened to her before I adopted her.  she had been at the shelter a total of times by the time she was 3 1/2.  But honestly she is the sweetest and best girl I have ever had the opportunity to love and adore.  

Thanks again.  I kept your info and will be in touch soon!

Answer
Hi again -  Make sure you have the Time-release Valerian for your gal.
Also, the only other thing I would cut out is the peanut butter.
How about adding some frozen yogurt to the bone with the fruit, and freeze.
Oh, glad she is on the Vitamin C!  Good job with all.......

BEST of luck!
I would still consider the NuVET for your gal..... She may have environmental allergies and the NuVET will help to fight off the allergens.

Keep me posted

Marie Peppers of ASK the PET Nurse