Companionship May Lick Dog’s Problem

Q. I have a Labrador-German shepherd mix who is 8 years old and weighs 71 pounds. He has been under a veterinarian’s care since Jan. 12 because he started licking the hide off a spot on his right rear leg. The spot is located just above the foot and is about the size of a half-dollar now. He has licked it down to the muscle and won’t stop. The doctor prescribed antibiotics and Prednisone, 20 mg for itching. Also, we applied Nitrofurazone soluble dressing twice a day and bandaged it. We sprayed the bandage with Grannick’s bitter apple, but it did not keep him from chewing the bandage up and licking the wound. I take him to the doctor at least once every two weeks and he looks at it, but it is not improving.

Malcom B. Barker,

La Palma

A. What you have described in your letter is commonly called an acral lick granuloma of dermatitis. It is an ulcerative lesion that is caused by chronic licking and chewing of an area of the foot or leg. It can occur on more than one leg. Large breed dogs, such as dobermans and Labrador retrievers, are most commonly affected by this disorder. The primary cause seems to be boredom or nervousness, similar to a person who chews his fingernails. However, other causes such as fungal infection, foreign bodies, or tumors should be considered. A biopsy of the ulcer may be necessary.

Treating these lick lesions can be extremely time-consuming and frustrating but must be done aggressively. Increased companion contact such as walks with your dog may help relieve the boredom. Corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, are used to relieve the pruritus (itching) of the sores. In some cases, the corticosteroids may be injected directly under the lesions. Antibiotics are helpful to prevent secondary infections of the skin. Bandaging will help protect the wound but must be changed frequently. A plastic “Elizabethan” restraint collar may be necessary.

Got a question about your pet? Send it to Dr. Glenn Ericson, Ask the Vet, Orange County Life, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, 92626. Ericson, a practicing Orange County veterinarian, is president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Assn.

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