Spot, Treat, and Prevent Canine Acral Lick Granuloma
Edited by Mian Sheilette Ong, Lynn, Eng, Jen M and 1 other
Observe your furry companion and see if he or she is constantly licking his or her front paws. This may be the start of "Acral Lick Granuloma". It can be very disturbing to see your dogs lick themselves obsessively. The constant licking of the front paws results gradually compromises the dog's skin condition. As you know, the skin is the primary barrier of defense, so any wounds can result in secondary ailments brought about by various pathogenic and opportunistic organisms. You have to be aware of your dog's habits and get to know how to spot, treat, and prevent "Acral Lick Granuloma". The sooner you pinpoint the condition, the sooner you'll be able to treat your dog. These methods will help your dog break the habit, preserving the integrity of your loyal companion's skin and good overall health.
A Case of Acral Lick Granuloma
Dog owners who've had dogs with "Acral Lick Granuloma" all have the same feedback. They all saw small sores on their dog's front paws. The assessment came in stages:
- 1They dismissed it, thinking the sores were just small injuries that their dog is healing by repetitive licking.
- 2They tried topical medications on the sores, but they didn't work.
- 3The sores oozed and always appeared wet because their dogs would continuously lick and chew the wound.As days passed, the sores progressed, and spread outwards as they thickened.
Veterinarians don't have a specific cure for this condition. Small pockets of bacteria have established residence in the basal skin layer. The oil glands are already scarred and plugged. The hair follicles are broken. The capillaries are already inflamed. Even if the wound has closed through surgical means, the dog continues to lick the sutures, even after the incision heals. Eventually, a new sore starts to develop on top of the original Granuloma.
Ultimate self-stimulation brings forth "Acral Lick Granuloma". The dog may be suffering from anxiety, especially if the owner is gone most of the day. If you wrap the affected leg, the dog will make another Granuloma on the other leg, right in the same area. Breeds that are prone to "Acral Lick Granuloma" are:
- Male German Shepherds.
- Golden retrievers.
- Great Danes.
- Labrador Retrievers.
- Weimaraners.
- Irish Setters.
- Doberman Pinschers.
The Causes and Symptoms of Acral Lick Granuloma
There are many theories about the origin and potential causes of "Acral Lick Granuloma". Below are some of the causes described in affected dogs:
- 1Boredom.Dogs may lick their paws just to entertain themselves. This happens when they don't have the proper stimuli to help them get through their day.
- 2Allergic dermatitis through inhalants.There are others that inhale certain irritants that bring about stress in the dog. Stress is then manifested through itchiness (pruritus) and inflammation. These sensations trigger the dog's licking on areas convenient to them such as their paws.
- 3Lodged splinter, sting, or thistle spine.These instantly start a reaction that makes the dog lick on that particular spot.
- 4Pain in the bones or joints.The dog may be experiencing pain in the bone or joints. The dog licks the top area of the affected joint to ease some discomfort.
- 5Hypothyroidism.Black Labradors usually have "Acral Lick Granuloma" as part of this condition.
- 6Psychological stress.The dog could be having some stress connected to separation anxiety, an invading dog, a new baby, or a new pet. Licking the paws helps the dog deal with the stress.
Development of Acral Lick Granuloma
If you continually monitor your dog, then you will notice habitual licking right away. Your dog may be doing this because of anxiety, pain, or itching. If your dog forms a habit of biting and licking in that particular area, the hair on that spot is eventually falls out. Then red colored sores start to develop. The wound is always bleeding or wet. Excessive licking should be stopped immediately. Dogs keep licking because the activity encourages the release of endorphins or the "feel good hormone". Because the dog feels good, he or she continues to lick until they learn to find pleasure or relief in it.
Recognize and Treat Acral Lick Granuloma
The earlier you spot this, the sooner you can relieve your dog's discomfort. There are some things you can do for your dog to treat "Acral Lick Granuloma".
Spotting the Lick Granuloma
Your dog probably has "Acral Lick Granuloma" if you spot the following symptoms:
- 1Thickened layer of skin around the sore or lesion.
Treatment of Acral Lick Granuloma
Acral lick granuloma can be treated by doing the following:
- 1Once the main cause of itchiness or irritation is targeted and eliminated, the licking will stop.Relief of allergies, parasites, and skin irritants.
- 2The cause of stress, which may be anxiety or pain, should be treated first. Eventually, the licking will be reduced or stopped. Certain medications or therapies may be helpful in such cases.Elimination of stress.
- 3Dogs may also acquire obsessive-compulsive behavior. Discuss anti-anxiety or psychogenic drugs with your vet.Drug therapy.
- 4In this procedure, the superficial layer of the lick Granuloma is removed or vaporized. As the laser passes over the surface tissue of the skin, the nerves are sealed up. This stops any sensation that the dog may be feeling in that area. Bleeding during the procedure is very minimal so it is not a very dangerous procedure.Laser surgery.
- 5You should give your dog a high-quality diet. It should be meat-based. Also give fatty acid supplementation to your dog for added coat protection and health.Diet change.
- 6Always clean the area being licked by your dog. Apply topical antibiotic on it and cover the area with a self-adhesive bandage.Keep the affected area sanitized.
Preventing Lick Granulomas from Happening or Getting Worse
Preventing "Acral Lick Granuloma". takes a lot of effort on your part as the responsible dog owner. Here are some effective ways of keeping this bad dog habit at bay:
- 1You should make sure that this is done on a monthly basis. Flea collars, shampoos, and other products can do the job.Flea and tick prevention.
- 2Allergy control.
- Subject your dog to allergy testing ($100-200). This can be done at the veterinarian's office. Allergy shots will be given to your dog if any kind of allergy issue is spotted. This is considered to be a long-term method of treatment because allergies are carried throughout the dog's life.
- It's best to keep your dogs indoors most of the time during the spring months. Spring season yields a high pollen count outdoors. Make sure you wash them whenever they come inside your house. Many products can reduce itching and provide immediate itch relief.
- Determine your dog's food allergy. Be watchful of your dog's reactions to certain foods. You may want to consider changing your dog food to a pure protein food to ensure your dog's overall health.
- 3You can give this in food or gel tablet form. Consult your vet about this.Provide Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acid supplements.
- 4This procedure will help spot any form of bacterial or fungal infection.Subject your dog to a skin biopsy or skin scraping.
- 5Since boredom is one of the main causes of "Acral Lick Granuloma", make sure that you always give your dogs something to do. They spend a lot of energy when they think about tasks and perform duties at the same time.Provide plenty of activities for your dog.
- 6These will keep your dog occupied for a long time. Make sure that they like the chew treats, toys, or bones you give them or they will just ignore them.Give plenty of chew toys or chew bones.
- 7This will help get rid of stress and pent up energy.Train your dog in agility.
- 8This will help the dog interact and eliminate boredom and anxiety.Consider getting another pet or dog if your dog is the only pet at home.
- 9If you think you cannot give enough time for a dog, consider getting a cat. If you really want a dog, get a smaller one.Select the right dog breed or the right pet.
"Acral Lick Granuloma" is a very bothersome and risky condition for your dog. You should make sure that you are always paying attention to your dog's behavior and overall health.
Tips
- Always run your hands all over the dog's body. This is an effective way of checking for any sensitivity, especially in the front legs.
- Make sure to check on your dog regularly. This is to see what the dog does, even when he or she is not with you.
- Once you notice habitual licking, wrap the area with a bandage.
- Put drops of essential oils such as lavender on the bandaged area.
- Communicate with your vet at all times regarding this condition so it can be addressed properly.
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
