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What’s in the inside matters, too!
I was contacted about 6 weeks ago regarding 6 month Ruby, who was biting her owner every time mom grabbed the leash or, tried to place the collar, harness or leash on Ruby.
Mom adopted Ruby 3 months ago and she came this way from the rescue. Mom bought a pair of bite gloves just to take her outside leashed.
Working primarily behavior cases, I require medical to be ruled out. As we chatted, Ruby’s mom supported this and, mentioned she is going to vet tech school and “had a feeling” Ruby’s GI was bothering her.
Ruby had her appointment for a full medical exam including a gut biome test. We had met for our initial consultation to at least start some puppy type behaviors that mom also wants help with while we waited for results. The initial exam and blood work proved that Ruby was healthy. The gut biome results were not ready.
About 1 week later mom learned that Ruby’s gut biome was off! This imbalance was likely causing “inflammation and itchiness”, contributing to the biting when touched. Her vet put Ruby on a special diet and supplements to restore her gut balance. Mom has already seen some improvement in her behaviors as well! We are working to help change her associations with equipment and body handling, too.
This case reinforced not only that we have to rule out medical as possible causes but, that we need to trust what our gut and, our clients gut and intuition says!
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4 Replies
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Hi Jen,
What a great case study example of ruling out medical issues! I hadn’t heard of gut biome causing itchiness, but that makes sense with the inflammation that can be related to poor gut health.
This is a lucky pup and family to have you as their coach. You are right on it, too, working next on the learning that already occured. Great job.
Please keep us posted on this case!
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It’s been a while for my cases that medical was actually contributing to the behavior but, yeah, to have this one seems rare! I wonder what the chances are of seeing it again?
“inflammation and itchiness” was the write up from the doctor based on the bacteria numbers so…… I have to go on they know best.
Since mom has seen an improvement in touching her, there has to be something valid. I suppose just feeling better in the gut can decrease the biting. I guess we never really know in some cases, do we?
Frequency in biting is down so, I am taking that as a win.
She was trapped in her car for almost and hour one day. She called me a 530 at night saying Ruby would not let her put the car in park since the leash was close to the shifter. She was growling and “getting that look right before she bites”. We spent about 1.5 hours talking our way to help her and Ruby get out of the car safely. We did it in micro steps and bursts! (about 55 minutes before mom was able to put the car in park and exit the car and another 40 minutes before she could coax Ruby out. ) Phew. This was another “firsts” for my books.
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Woah. That’s INTENSE. I can’t think of anyone better to walk Ruby and her mom through that, Jen. They are so lucky to have you!
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Oh my goodness, @jenz , that was one serious response from the dog, even if inflamed and itchy. It brings to mind so many dogs with terribly serious health issues and pain who would not respond strongly like that, so I’m very glad indeed that the mom has your help. I’m really looking forward to hearing how this case develops and am sending you good wishes for positive and rapid improvements.
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