Dog First Aid - Lick Sores

Dogs have the propensity to lick because licking, along with barking, scratching and chewing are natural behaviors ofdogs. Any of these behaviors would become a problem of the dog owner if it becomes excessive. The dog's excessive licking can result to lick granuloma or lick sores.

This condition would start when the dog incessantly licks a spot. The hair on the spot continuously licked by the dogwill fall off and the skin will harden. The dog will continue to lick the hardened skin until the skin is scraped raw, a condition that can lead to infection.

Lick granulomas are open sores usually found on the carpal area or the wrist area of the front legs and on the area above the paw of the rear legs. Lick sores are often seen in short haired dogs like German Shepherds, Doberman Pinscher, Golden Retrievers and Irish Setters. Lick sores usually start from fungal or bacterial infection or when a spot bitten by an insect or a flea is persistently licked by the dog. Lick sores can arise from the mental or emotional condition of the dog as this skin concern is most common in dogs that are always left alone. For want of better things to do, a bored dog would lick any part of the body to while away the time.

Eliminating the dog's lick sores is kind of difficult as there is no single effective method given the fact that this skin concern can arise from various causes. The condition is worsened by the dog's incessant licking of the affected body part. To totally eliminate the problem, treatment must be focused on eliminating the causative factor before the skin lesions are treated.

Lick sores can be a headache because the lesions recur. Lick sores can be treated with laser surgery. This costly treatment method becomes ineffective when the dog starts to lick again. Antibiotics and other topical medications can be applied to the lesion. The dog owner can modify the dog's licking habit by using some effective methods. To prevent the dog from licking, the affected leg can be bandaged. Bitter apple, Tabasco and other bad tasting substances can stop the dog's self mutilating habit. An Elizabethan collar can also be used.

Management of lick sores is focused on preventive measures rather than cure. As soon as the owner noticed the pet developing an excessive licking habit, the preventive methods must be used at once.