Night Time Licking in a Dog

by Robert Dean
(Montgomery, Texas, USA)

Cocker Spaniel, 8 years old, otherwise healthy, has had pancreatitis 3 times when fed food scraps rather than dog food, licks at the air a lot. What is this a symptom of?

We feed her Beneful with Chicken and Rice.

Bob Dean

"Address removed by PS"

My Comment:

Hi Bob

I haven't had any patient with the same symptoms.

But, I had another question about the same "night licking symptom" and one of the comments gave a possible link to some kind of food allergy.

It might be more true to suspect some kind of stomach/intestinal irritation. Perhaps the licking is a result in some kind of "heart burn like" irritation. This could give some irritation in the tonsils and the whole mouth area as well - if dogs can develop the same as us humans.

Some kind of being nausea, can also elicit such a symptom. Just a thought....

I would try for a period to change his food to a more food allergy type or one food containing a "novel protein source" like duck for example. These foods are the ones used in IBD but at the same time it should also be safe to use in pancreatitis.

Normally I use Royal Canin Hypoallergenic - but not in your situation as pancreatitis is contraindicated. Probably because the amount of fat ( 4,5g / 100kcal)

Royal Canin Sensitive - which is going to contain duck instead of white fish in the near future, do have less fat and there is no contraindications regarding pancreatitis. This might be something to try out for a while.

You could also try some suitable medicine to act on the stomach - Again as a try to see if a lower acid production can change the symptoms. Then you could see if the suspicion is true or not.

You have to talk to your vet about the medication but also the food as well.

As always - when it comes to diseases I often stick to the proven companies. I am aware of the food quality might not be the best but at least you get some security and safety how to choose the best food in dogs having a disease.

In your case pancreatitis, which is very important to treat right food wise.

All the best

Per Schonbeck