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cjt4010 · Mar 7, 2011, 09:30 AM

I have a 12 y/o yellow lab that has recently taken to licking his left-rear foot to the point that it is bloody. When this first started happening, I did the usual online research and "self diagnosed" as Acral Lick Dermatitis. I consulted with my vet and as I suspected, there is no sure-fire "cure" for this. He suggested the No-Bite Collar which worked for a while but then Zach figures out a way to contort his head and get to the foot again. I bought the Comfy Collar and had the same results - works for a while and then doesn't.

I've tried, what I feel, is everything! Antibiotics, sprays, etc. and nothing works. The "Apple Bitter" doesn't even phase him. I've tried wrapping it and he tears off the wrapping before I can get out of the shower. I recently tired cutting the elastic top of a child's white sock off and put that on it in the hopes it wouldn't be too tight so as to make him want to remove it. While I was home, he left it on. I left to go check the letterbox and five minutes later he'd taken that off (each time he's left alone, I continue to use either the No Bite or Comfy Collars).

I know that it causes him pain because he "favours" that leg when walking or climbing stairs. I'm banging my head against the wall and short of taking two weeks off work and monitoring him 24/7 during that time, I'm not sure what else to do.

Does ANYONE have ANY suggestions that might help? By the way, once an area heals, he doesn't go back to licking that area even though that area no longer grows hair.

Emily94 · Mar 7, 2011, 07:55 PM

Maybe get a cone? (Maybe that's the no bite collar you were talking about.. )

You could try making him a "jacket" that has a leg... if he can't get the whole jacket off he can't get at the paw...

Lucky098 · Mar 7, 2011, 08:14 PM

Kind of sound likes a lick granuloma.

Granulomas are very itchy.. almost to the point where they cannot stand it. They lick and lick and lick and lick, the area they lick opens into a bloody sore. Sometimes they seep blood, sometimes they just look sore. I'm sure if this sore is in a specific place on the foot, then he will favor it.

Lick granulomas are typically a sign of boredom. They can also be a symptom of allergies. The vet can help you, a cortizone shot in the lump itself will help bring down the inflammation and stop the irritation. My dog was starting to develop a granuloma on her hock, the vet gave her a shot of the cortizone and it cleared up within a week. The reason they lick this area is because it is very irritating to them.

Bitter Apples does not work. It tastes like an apple. My dogs lick it up like water.. my horses will take you out for a squirt ;) Instead, use bitter yuck. It is a water based bitter spray that TASTES NASTY! It won't sting, so you can spray directly on the wound. Saturate his leg with it. Spray it 4-5 times a day until he backs off on the licking. While spraying, put some ointment on it like neosporin to help kill any bacteria in the wound itself. Wrapping it will make the irratation worse and he will want to just take it off. Plus, it will heal faster keeping it in the open.

Increase his activity level! Lick granulomas are formed from boredom. Take him on a walk, take him to the dog park, take him to a doggy daycare.. Give him a treat cube (cube with hidden treats that he has to figure out how to remove the treats). Teach him a new trick... Anything to take his mind off his itchy spot.

Once the irritating itch stops, the granuloma will disappear quickly. Its just diligence on your end to help him out :)

Good Luck!

shazamataz · Mar 7, 2011, 10:28 PM

Along with Luckys advice if you really have exhausted all methods to stop him it might be time to consider a correctional collar...
You can get ones that administer a SMALL electric current when you push a button (a bit like the button the unlock a car door).

If you want a gentler approach you can also get ones that vibrate against the dogs neck which a lot of them hate as much as the electric ones.

This is only if you have exhausted other methods to distract him, it's better to take his mind off it than to correct him for it but sometimes you really have no choice.