Today’s post is part of the Caring for Critters Round Robin.
Please keep in mind, I am not a vet and this is not advice on how to handle a Lick Granuloma, this is just my experience, and what worked or didn’t work for me. Always consult your veterinarian before choosing any course of treatment.
We’ve been battling Lick Granulomas with Sampson for a couple of years now. (I wrote about it HERE, HERE and HERE.)
What is a Lick Granuloma you ask? Web MD defines it this way, “A lick granuloma is an open sore, usually at the ankle or wrist, perpetuated by constant licking. It is seen most often in large, shorthaired dogs such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers, and bird dogs.” (To read the total definition, click HERE.)
As I said, we’ve been battling the Lick Granulomas for a couple of years now.
A little back story.
At the time of his first Lick Granuloma Sampson was almost eight years old. Our lifestyle is quiet, nothing much had changed except for the occasional visit from small grandchildren. Originally I thought it was a hot spot, but I found out differently. I began dabbing some Witch Hazel on it twice a day and that seemed to help.
At his scheduled vet appointment my vet thought he had a soft tissue injury. He was put on some Gabapentin which also seemed to help. The Lick Granuloma healed up.
The following spring Sampson started at his wrists again. I called the Holistic vet who examined him and felt he had some seasonal allergies and a sluggish liver. He gave me some supplements which helped, but as soon as the supplements ran out, Sampson was back to licking his wrists again.
The dark areas on his paw indicate areas he licks at causing the Lick Granuloma
He is not discriminative, he makes Lick Granulomas on both wrists.
Back to our vet for a consult who suggested cold laser therapy along with the Gabapentin, once again it seemed to help.
Until he tore his ACL. Since that time the Lick Granulomas come and go.
Since we started him on acupuncture for the sore Iliopsoas muscle and his arthritis, he seems to leave his wrists alone. Once I notice him picking at his wrists, I know it’s time to schedule another session. His yearly examine is coming up next month and I’ll definitely be talking to our vet about this, and getting him on a good joint supplement to help ease his discomfort.
Some theories say that once a dog starts on a Lick Granuloma it can become a habit. There are also thoughts that a dog who is bored will lick.
In Sampson’s case, I suppose it’s possible that the Granuloma has become habit. Although he willing leaves it when I call him off it. I don’t believe he licks out of boredom, if anything his life has become a bit more exciting since his surgery, because his walks have increased from once to twice per day and we vary the walk.
I’m pretty certain Sampson licks when he’s in pain. This is certainly not something we want, which is why we will be continuing the acupuncture as well as finding a good joint supplement.
Tomorrow’s post for the Round Robin will be on Giardia, make sure to check DZ’s Adventures for that post.
Poor Sampson! Nelly has had good luck with Natural Stride Joint Supplement that seems to have diminished her hip/back leg pain.
Lick Granulomas are such a pain to treat. I’ve had clients with severe ones. I always feel so bad for them and their dogs! Poor Sampson! I hope he feels better soon!
I’m glad you got Sampson’s under control. They can be a bugger. We see a few at the clinic and it really helps to get on top of them right away before they get out of hand or like you said become a habit. We have used our surgical laser to zap them off and get down to healthy tissue and that has cured the ones we have seen. Good luck at his yearly visit.
We too are glad Sampson’s is under control. Luckily we have no such problem. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
Katie has had that three times now and it always becomes a habit if we don’t stop the itching real quickly. The have been on one paw, on her back, and on her thigh. I think hers come from a bug bite. We put anti itch cream on the area and/or athletes foot spray and it usually stops her from licking. One time we went to the vet and they shaved the area (not our current vet) which was a mess as the fur took over 6 months to start growing back. It can be a problem that we battle for months, though.
Good Morning!! Aw, poor Sampson! Have you tried Cosequin DS for him? It’s a little expensive; but according to our vet, it’s the the only supplement of its kind that actually has the amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin that it claims to have. Of course, that was almost 10 years ago. There’s also Bonies for Joints. They’re both available at http://www.entirelypets.com, and usually at a much better price than anywhere else. And, I believe the Bonies, at least, are “all natural”. You can have a “live chat” with any of their customer service agents. Ask for Martin — he’s really good! — he’s been helping me a lot lately.
Aw poor sweet Sampson. I don’t know much about that, but it doesn’t sound pleasant!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Sorry Sampson. We know about those…. they are like those potato chips… once you start… you just can’t Quit…
We have a nervous licker in our house; fortunately he doesn’t focus on himself but will lick anything around him, which keeps him from getting sores. He came here as a sick, old dog and as he feels better and calmer he doesn’t need to lick for as long :-/ Sorry Sampson doesn’t always feel well, getting older isn’t for the faint hearted.
Sheba licks her paws a lot, and we try do discourage it. Only once or twice did she seem to start with what might have been a granuloma….the last time was a year ago before we were going away. I think I cleaned it up with apple cider vinegar and water and my sister said when we were gone she wasn’t licking it anymore. I wonder if she was upset because she knew we were leaving. She still licks her paws (maybe because of her arthritis) but she hasn’t caused any more bald spots (yet – knock wood).
It seems like you mostly have Sampson’s under control with the acupuncture, so that is great. We also use Natural Stride for Sheba’s arthritis, and she is still doing great on it.
That’s really interesting, that it might be tied to pain. Poor, sweet Sampson. Our lab/shepherd used to lick holes in his “wrists” – I have a picture of the horrid sight – and nothing short of spraying it with something bitter or nasty-tasting would stop him from licking it. And that would be short-lived. It was something that came and went, though, and since he’s been on a diet for allergies (duck only) he hasn’t had a recurrence. Been less than a year, though, so… Like you, I didn’t think it was because of boredom. Sure wish they could speak English, it sure would help, wouldn’t it?!
I also suspect it is due to pain in Sampson’s case. I will keep an eye out in case any of mine develop this as they age.
I never heard of lick granuloma until Sampson got it. Then Maya had it for two summers in a row. She didn’t have it this summer, though. I think hers were caused by insect bites and this summer was relatively mild as far as insects are concerned.
I’ve heard from online dog people that cold laser therapy is fantastic for a number of things. I”m glad it helps!