If you are a new dog owner, expect the pet to bark, scratch, chew and lick a lot because these are natural behaviors of dogs. However, trouble would start when these natural behaviors become obsessive. Acral lick dermatitis or lick granuloma is commonly known as lick sores, a condition that results from the dog compulsive licking behavior.
The lesion would start from a spot that is constantly liked by the dog. The hair on the spot continuously licked by the dog will fall off and the skin will harden. The dog will continue to lick the hardened skin until the skin is scraped raw, a condition that can lead to infection.
Lick sores are commonly found on the wrist of the front legs and on the area above the paw of the hind legs. This skin concern is most common in short haired dog breeds like Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Irish Setter and in Golden Retrievers. Lick sores usually start from fungal or bacterial infection or when a spot bitten by an insect or a flea is persistently licked by the dog. Lick granulomas are believed to have a psychogenic origin as pets that are usually left alone all day would develop this skin concern. For want of better things to do, a bored dog would lick any part of the body to while away the time.
Eliminating the dogs lick sores is kind of difficult as there is no single effective method given the fact that this skin concern can arise from various causes. The condition is worsened by the dogs incessant licking of the affected body part. It is therefore necessary for a dog owner to know the possible reasons for the dogs obsessive and compulsive licking as treatment will be geared towards eliminating the underlying cause of the problem.
The tendency of the skin lesions to erupt again and again makes this skin disease a big concern of dog owners. Nowadays, laser surgery that removes the diseased tissues is the most popular mode of treatment for lick sores. This costly treatment method becomes ineffective when the dog starts to lick again. Antibiotics and other topical medications can be applied to the lesion. The dog owner can modify the dogs licking habit by using some effective methods. Bandaging the affected leg will prevent the pet from mutilating the lesion. Bad tasting substances like Bitter Apple and Tabasco can be applied to deter the dog from licking. An Elizabethan collar can be used as well.
As lick sores are hard to cure it would be best to prevent the development of the lesions. The owner has to keep an eye on the dog and once signs of excessive licking are noticed, the preventive measures must be applied.
Find out more about lick sores as well as first aid for dogs at Sarahs Dogs.
No related posts.
