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Dog dragging butt, licking paws, red spots. Is it allergies? Home help?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 9 years and 5 months old | 22 lbs

My dog has been dragging his butt on the ground and biting and licking his back paws and legs and there is some red spots and a few sores that look like they have scabed over on his belly by the creases of his back legs and he also started twitching his one back leg and rolling on the ground. Is there something that I can apply from home to help with this until I can take home to the vet and what do you think could be the problem?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on June 24th, 2017

It sounds like Toby may be suffering from some allergies. Dogs can be allergic to grass, pollen, trees, fleas and more. Make sure you have him on a good flea prevention like nextgard, comfortis, or frontline plus. The best thing you can do while waiting to get to a vet would be to stop the chewing by putting on a cone collar and you can give him 25mg Benadryl (1 adult tablet) twice a day to help. Also, you can put neosporin and/or Benadryl spray on the scabs. But if he doesn't stop chewing/licking they will not get better. And he may need something stronger than Benadryl like a steroid which can be prescribed by your vet. Your vet may also prescribe some antibiotics if he isn't improving.

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    Answered By Allison Newth, VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 19th, 2017

    Try to keep the area clean and dry and make sure Toby isn't licking at it (if he is you can put an e-collar on for a few days). Usually little scrapes will heal on their own but if it isn't healed in the next 48 hours I would talk to your veterinarian who may want to get a better look at the area and may prescribe medicated cleaning products, antibiotics, and even pain medication if it seems to be bothering Toby. Best of luck with your buddy, I hope this is helpful!

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on October 3rd, 2018

    If Toby is behaving normally and not licking or itching, then you can monitor him at home for now. Watch for lethargy, excessive licking, chewing, scratching or itching. Place an e-collar (cone) on him if he is licking. You should also watch for redness, discharge or spread. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian.

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