Lick Granulomas

[LaRe]

Hi, I have a large golden retriever that will not stop licking his leg. He has a sore on it now, and I just can't get him to leave it alone. The vet said it's a lick granuloma, and gave me some antibiotic spray to put on it, but Jake won't stop licking... I myself, believe it's because he is bored during the day when we are at work and can't be home to play with him. He has toys and balls, and I even got the kong ball that you put the treats in to try to keep him occupied during the day, but he gets them out too fast and then starts licking his leg. Does anyone have any suggestions??

Also, our beagle's eyes are kinda bloodshot, not bad, but someone told me all beagles have that bloodshot look, is this true?

Other than that, all other dogs/cats are just fine

 

[bubbatd]

One of my Goldens did that . I think it was arthritis ...then became a habit . He finally got over it , but had to be corrected for a long time .

 

[LaRe]

What made you think it was arthritis? I'm just curious because Jake will be 10 this year, and I never considered arthritis....

Does anyone have any suggestions of supplements you can get that will help with arthritis? THANKS

 

[sam]

Personally I would put him in an e-collar while you can't be there to supervise until it's really well healed. Once they start licking and end with a sore it's a HARD habit to break. You can vet wrap it while you're around so if he gets at it you'll hopefully catch him before he does too much.
I would also up the dog's exercise, double it if you can and always walk him before you leave for the day so he's more likely to sleep and less likely to worry, stress or be bored and lick.
Do you have any idea why this started? Unless you get it well healed and address the root cause, you'll keep having this problem recur.It's most often caused by stress, boredom or understimulation. Border collies living as pets are some of the worst for this according to my vet.
I would feed a grainfree high quality foood and supplement with a fish oil and vit E if you aren't doing that already.

 

[bubbatd]

Because of his age. You'll get some ideas here and I would try a BUFFERED aspirin , like Ascriptin . You might ask you vet .

 

[LaRe]

Bubbatrd, Thanks, for the suggestion. I've had him to the vet for the lick granuloma, but they thought it was because of him being bored. He just started it again, and the last time I took him to the vet for it was the beginning of last winter. I thought it was because he was bored. Mostly in the summertime, he swims in our pond, but he's not allowed to in the winter (for obvious reasons), and it's his favorite thing to do.

But after reading your post, it hit me that maybe he is developing arthritis and it just affects him more in the winter due to the cold. I'm so glad you posted. I'm gonna take him back to the vet and see what they think. I'll let you know. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

I'll wait to see if we need to up our walk time in the morning after I talk to the vet. I don't want to run him ragged if his joints are inflamed. Thanks again for all your help...

 

[bubbatd]

Please let us know what the vet says .

 

[Jynx]

just wanted to add,,a friend of mine has a gsd who has/had a lick granuloma on her leg..I think in alot of cases what happens is, the dog gets one, and then the licking becomes not only a habit, but the spot never really clears up well enough to 'move past it'..

I suggested to her to try, KV Vet's Hot Spot spray..it has tea tree oil in it, and Ive used it for many things, sores and such..it worked for her and the dog, however, she did have to e collar her to keep her from licking it!

Good luck!
diane