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Acral lick granuloma
occurs in the dog as a self induced lesion usually located on one or more of
the limbs. This long name simply is given to an area of skin which has been
self traumatized over time to form a thickened, hairless, red area of skin
which may or may not be accompanied by infection.
The underlying cause of acral lick granuloma vary, but usually begin when
histamine or other mediators of inflammation, are released in the area of
skin usually on one or more of the limbs. Insect bites, cuts and
lacerations, imbedded foreign objects, skin infections, or allergies, all
can be responsible for the release of inflammatory mediators in an area on
the skin of the affected limb.
The result is a dog who constantly licks, bites, and chews at the area
affected, until a firm, red, raised area of skin, devoid of hair, forms.
These areas can vary in size, and shape, but are usually circular and
approximate a silver dollar in size.
Once an acral lick granuloma is created, the irritation from the area, along
with the learned behavioral response, are enough to keep the dog licking at
the area. Some dogs begin an acral lick granuloma for no apparent reason at
all. These cases are considered strictly behaviorally induced, and are
similar to compulsive behavior disorders in people.
Many treatments have been tried to divert attention, and stop the constant
self induced trauma to these areas in order to allow them to heal. Topical
products which have an offensive taste work in some cases, but not others.
Some cases respond well to blocking the area being traumatized with
bandaging-others tend to chew the bandages off. Elizabethan collars worn
around the neck, act to funnel over the dog's head, which can physically
block their ability to be able to reach the affected area.
If tolerated, and the lesion heals, some cases divert back to chewing at the
area again, supporting a behaviorally driven cause for the acral lick
granuloma. In behavioral cases, studies have been done in dogs utilizing
medications designed for compulsive behavioral disorders in people.
The drug Clomipramine (Anafranil) has been used most successfully for this
purpose, by altering neurotransmitting hormones in the brain. If effective,
some dogs require this medication for life, while others can be successfully
weaned off from this drug. |