I AM NOT often shocked into silence, but when a veterinary nurse working in emergency care in the US told me this story, I was not only shocked into silence, but actually broke out into spontaneous tears!
![Is This A Form Of Canine Self-Mutilation?](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10935/212517/58bfba5adba64/Is-This-A-Form-Of-Canine-Self-Mutilation.jpg)
For everyone that knows me, when I am working with my dog clients, I am an emotional person, due to the amazing responses and reactions I receive from the dogs I treat, but this reaction was sadly so very different!
The story was told to me by an obviously traumatised veterinary nurse. She recounted a case of a dog who was brought into the emergency care centre, with half his front foot chewed off; he had chewed off half his own foot!
Nothing within his clinical care had made any impact on a condition that would ultimately cause him to self-mutilate to such a hideous extent. To me this pattern of behaviour is common with so many dogs that I have seen (not to that extreme, I hasten to add); indicative of referred neural pain, originating in the neck/shoulders.
Twice in recent history, I have suffered similar referred neural pain, originating from my neck, then tracking into my arm. During this awful and unforgettable time, I too, would have gone mad with the pain and probably tried to deflect the excruciating agony in much the same way (had I not been able to get hold of the correct treatment, which for me was deep tissue massage). Selfmutilation in the form of incessant licking and chewing is a complex reaction to extreme pain, but by creating a controlled additional pain (by licking and chewing), the body will produce a hormonal response, which helps to moderate pain.
This story is from the March 3,2017 edition of Dog World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 3,2017 edition of Dog World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Border Terrier Breeders Gather To Discuss Two](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/210561/58afd1ab7aa98/crp_Border-Terrier-Breeders-Gather-To-Discuss-Two-Serious-Health-Concerns.jpg)
Border Terrier Breeders Gather To Discuss Two
TWO CONDITIONS affecting the Border Terrier are worrying breeders and owners so much that a meeting was called to discuss them.
![Wet Nose Rescue](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/210561/58afd2a237d03/crp_Wet-Nose-Rescue.jpg)
Wet Nose Rescue
A scheme of mutual benefit.
![Going Around](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/209658/58ad819ed6fd4/crp_Going-Around.jpg)
Going Around
When you can’t see the wood for the trees
![Handle With Care](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/214823/58d417260683f/crp_Handle-With-Care.jpg)
Handle With Care
Crufts and all that’s positive in our sport
![Ian is on top of the world](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/214027/58ccd9387a15e/crp_Ian-is-on-top-of-the-world.jpg)
Ian is on top of the world
Winner of the first Eukanuba World Challenge to be held at Crufts was the Maltese from Italy, Franco Prosperi’s Ch Cinecitta’ Ian Somerhalder, handled by Javier Gonzales Mendikote. With them are Kennel Club chairman Simon Luxmoore, event chairman Jose Luis Ibanez of Eukanuba, judge Laurent Pichard, Johan van Rietschoten of Spectrum Brands, Franco’s partner Stefano Paolantoni and FCI president Rafael de Santiago.
![Is This A Form Of Canine Self-Mutilation?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/212517/58bfba5adba64/crp_Is-This-A-Form-Of-Canine-Self-Mutilation.jpg)
Is This A Form Of Canine Self-Mutilation?
I AM NOT often shocked into silence, but when a veterinary nurse working in emergency care in the US told me this story, I was not only shocked into silence, but actually broke out into spontaneous tears!
![Perfection In Presentation](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/212517/58bfbbb16cf74/crp_Perfection-In-Presentation.jpg)
Perfection In Presentation
WITH CRUFTS, the biggest and best dog show in the world – according to many dog folk – approaching, it is time to think about the need for presenting our dogs to perfection. Certainly Crufts will probably be the highlight for many breeders who want to show off their stock to a worldwide audience.
![Going Around](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/214027/58d159e98b10d/crp_Going-Around.jpg)
Going Around
Judges’ experience and qualifications.
![Italian love for Italian Lover](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/214823/58d4152506098/crp_Italian-love-for-Italian-Lover.jpg)
Italian love for Italian Lover
AN INTERNATIONAL show was held in Padova, Italy, on January 14/15. This was the third this year in Italy, where there will be 76 international shows during 2017!
![Bench and Field](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10935/214823/58d4188c10c3d/crp_Bench-and-Field.jpg)
Bench and Field
Pointing breeds test their field trial skills at KC training day