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I have a Rott and he had surgery on his left front paw. Ever since I have had trouble with him constantly licking his paw. He hates bandages, will lick with bitter apple sprayed on his paw, and can lick threw shirts that I make him wear. Our only best option is the cone...but It has been almost a year and I feel horrible about it. What about hot sauce or lemon juice..or any other idea you have? I'm miserable!

Submitted: 304 days and 11 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $15
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Optional Information

Age: 8; Male; Breed: Rottweiler

Already Tried:
Cone, K9 Topsuit, bandages, bitter apple, antibiotics...

Posted by LSU-Vet 304 days and 10 hours ago.

Info Request

Thanks for writing in,

 

Has surgery been over a year?

 

And is he now just creating a lick granuloma or an area that he focus' on to lick and lick?

304 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

It will be a year in April. My current vet said it is a lick granuloma but didn't tell me how to fix it. If I cover the spot, he will just create a new one. He suggested Prozac, but I was wondering if there was anything else I could try before trying that...I just don't want his mood to change. I love him! People are telling me hot sauce and lemon juice. What do you think? Or what are your other ideas?

Accepted Answer

Lick granulomas are one of the most frustrating things for all of us to deal with. The problem with these are that the more then lick the area, it releases endorphins in their brain, so they lick more making the area worse which creates a nasty cycle. Therefore, we have to break this cycle. I would suggest an E-collar as well as antibiotics to treat the seconday infection and your vet can even inject steroids into the area to decrease the inflammation and irriation. There are also new bandages that actually have a battery attached, when your dog licks it, it gives them alittle buzz, like you putting your tongue to a battery. This may also help to break this, because big dogs don't mind the nasty taste of bitter apple, hot sauce, etc. So this is what I would suggest you do with your guy, control the underlying problem and try that bandage. I do not know what the name of it is, but you can likely search for it on the internet. In the mean time I will try figuring out what it is called as well. If you can't find it your vet may be able to get it through a distributor. I hope this helps! Last resort would be the mood altering meds unfortunately. Take care.

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Expert: LSU-Vet
Pos. Feedback: 98.9 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 1/20/2009

Dog Veterinarian

Veterinarian, Dog/Cat Veterinarian

304 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Is the bandage with a battery called StopLik? If so, I have already tried that. I couldn't keep it on him. It kept slipping off. Please let me know if you know of another battery bandage....I'm so desperate!

Posted by LSU-Vet 304 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

I just did some reading on a site for veterinarians and the best thing is long term antibiotics to treat the deep infections, and E-collars. Then they talk about drugs that block "feel -good" receptors in the brain. I know E-collars in big dogs can be a nuisance (mostly to you), but it is the best physical barrier while the leg is healing.

304 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Sorry to bother you again...but the weird thing is, is that the sore is not really even there. You can see the scar from the surgery and when he licks it, it will turn pink/red. If I would let him keep licking it, he would eventually get it really deep. He has done this before. Therefore, there is no infection. He just licks to lick. I'm starting to think that I may have to put him on drugs. I think he is going to continue to lick no matter what. Is Prozac really bad for dogs? I guess this is another question in itself...if you don't want to answer, you don't have too. Thanks for all of your help!

Posted by LSU-Vet 304 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

I'll be happy to answer these questions for you.

 

I'm glad to hear that the sore is healed and not infected, that's one step down. I would try the medications. Your vet will use the lowest dose possible for him and if it works then in a few months you can start to ween him off and see how he does. You may also want to increase his activity level because these are also sometimes associated with boredom.

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