Patient: Leah is a two-year-old female spayed Dalmatian.
Problem: Leah has been intermittently licking her right front
foot for six months. She often licks the area when she first wakes
up or if she is not receiving any attention. Recently the area she
licks has become red and there is no longer hair in the affected
area. Her owner made an appointment with her veterinarian to
discuss the problem.
The Doctor Visit: Leah’s physical exam was normal except for
the 3cm by 3cm area of hair loss and redness on the top of her
right front foot. The area contained thick scar tissue and some
open sores.
Tests: Routine skin tests to check for infectious causes were run. The doctor did a skin
scrape to check for mites and a fungal culture. Both tests were negative. Skin biopsy was
performed, where a sample of skin from the affected area is removed and sent to a lab
for analysis. The biopsy showed chronic inflammation, no signs of cancer or other
diseases. The possibility of an allergy as the underlying cause for the skin problem was
discussed. However, Leah’s owner did not notice her itching or licking anywhere other
than the spot on her right foot. Therefore food trials or allergy testing were put on hold.
Diagnosis: Because Leah is a Dalmatian and the skin biopsy showed only inflammation,
the most likely diagnosis for the skin problem is a “lick granuloma.” This is a raised red
area of scar tissue and inflammation caused by repeated licking. Dalmatians are one of
the breeds that commonly get lick granulomas due to compulsive licking, presumably
secondary to anxiety.
Lick granulomas can be difficult to treat. They often require repeated courses of
antibiotics and the use of cone collars or “sleeves” to keep the dog from licking the area.
Treating any underlying allergy and behavioral issues are also important.
Leah was treated with an anti-anxiety medication to help her stop compulsively licking the
area. A course of antibiotics were prescribed to clear up the secondary bacterial infection.
Her exercise was also in-creased. Instead of going for three short walks per day her
owner started taking her on a long walk every other day and she went to doggie day camp
on the alternate days.
Increasing an anxious dog’s exercise can help to direct their energy in a positive way,
rather than compulsive licking. Leah’s owner also had her wear a “bite-not” collar which
prevents her from reaching her foot whenever she was going to spend time alone.
Outcome: Leah’s sore on her foot improved. The hair did not grow back but the redness
and sores resolved within six weeks. Her owner stopped using the bite-not collar and
decreased her every other day walks because of time constraints. She was also weaned
off the anti-anxiety medication.
Leah started licking her right front foot again in the same spot three months later.
Therefore her exercise routine, the use of the collar and the anti-anxiety mediation were
restarted.
Leah remains on the anti-anxiety medication and her owner only uses the collar as
needed. Lick granulomas can require life long management. However with proper
control they are not perceived to be too uncomfortable and the dog can live a happy
normal life.
Ask the Vet is not intended to be a substitute for the regular veterinary care a licensed veterinarian
provides through routine physical exams, and should only be used for personal, educational and
informational purposes only. Responses do not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship,
and are not intended as veterinary medical advice.
Problem: Leah has been intermittently licking her right front
foot for six months. She often licks the area when she first wakes
up or if she is not receiving any attention. Recently the area she
licks has become red and there is no longer hair in the affected
area. Her owner made an appointment with her veterinarian to
discuss the problem.
The Doctor Visit: Leah’s physical exam was normal except for
the 3cm by 3cm area of hair loss and redness on the top of her
right front foot. The area contained thick scar tissue and some
open sores.
Tests: Routine skin tests to check for infectious causes were run. The doctor did a skin
scrape to check for mites and a fungal culture. Both tests were negative. Skin biopsy was
performed, where a sample of skin from the affected area is removed and sent to a lab
for analysis. The biopsy showed chronic inflammation, no signs of cancer or other
diseases. The possibility of an allergy as the underlying cause for the skin problem was
discussed. However, Leah’s owner did not notice her itching or licking anywhere other
than the spot on her right foot. Therefore food trials or allergy testing were put on hold.
Diagnosis: Because Leah is a Dalmatian and the skin biopsy showed only inflammation,
the most likely diagnosis for the skin problem is a “lick granuloma.” This is a raised red
area of scar tissue and inflammation caused by repeated licking. Dalmatians are one of
the breeds that commonly get lick granulomas due to compulsive licking, presumably
secondary to anxiety.
Lick granulomas can be difficult to treat. They often require repeated courses of
antibiotics and the use of cone collars or “sleeves” to keep the dog from licking the area.
Treating any underlying allergy and behavioral issues are also important.
Leah was treated with an anti-anxiety medication to help her stop compulsively licking the
area. A course of antibiotics were prescribed to clear up the secondary bacterial infection.
Her exercise was also in-creased. Instead of going for three short walks per day her
owner started taking her on a long walk every other day and she went to doggie day camp
on the alternate days.
Increasing an anxious dog’s exercise can help to direct their energy in a positive way,
rather than compulsive licking. Leah’s owner also had her wear a “bite-not” collar which
prevents her from reaching her foot whenever she was going to spend time alone.
Outcome: Leah’s sore on her foot improved. The hair did not grow back but the redness
and sores resolved within six weeks. Her owner stopped using the bite-not collar and
decreased her every other day walks because of time constraints. She was also weaned
off the anti-anxiety medication.
Leah started licking her right front foot again in the same spot three months later.
Therefore her exercise routine, the use of the collar and the anti-anxiety mediation were
restarted.
Leah remains on the anti-anxiety medication and her owner only uses the collar as
needed. Lick granulomas can require life long management. However with proper
control they are not perceived to be too uncomfortable and the dog can live a happy
normal life.
Ask the Vet is not intended to be a substitute for the regular veterinary care a licensed veterinarian
provides through routine physical exams, and should only be used for personal, educational and
informational purposes only. Responses do not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship,
and are not intended as veterinary medical advice.
| Case Study - My POOCH Has A Skin Problem! |
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| Dr. Karen Zelinski works at Animal General Veterinary Hospital at 725 River Road, Edgewater, N.J. She graduated from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993; she has two Dalmatians and three cats. |