Lick, Lick, Licking!!!!

[Bichonluver3]

Hi Everybody!
chloe has recently taken to licking a spot on herright upper leg. She has now stained the area with saliva and there is a hard, small bump. I'm wondering if it is a granuloma? Any suggestions to get her to stop? I have tried green apple but she just makes a face and licks it off. I have tried talking to her but she just won't listen to me!!!:confused:
Carrol

[SasAndYunah]

Hi Carrol,

In order to stop it, you have to know the cause. And usually the cause is itching due to for example a flea bite, tick bite, insect bite, sometimes even earmites or infected anal glands (and a redirected licking) But in my opinion, a visit to the vet would be in order to prevent it from becoming a real hot spot.

Sas and Yunah :)

[addy]

Sas is right. You need to know the cause.

Flank licking is something my neighbor went through. Poor Izzy even had to wear the elizabethean collar. Now she gives him benadryl when he starts the licking.

It can become a habit that is hard to break. Sometimes they also will do it out of boredom.

Zoe chews her front paws, especially when she is anxious or bored. I give her Kongs filled wih a soft food (not alot) and redirect her after telling her "no paws!!!" She has not yet gotten a sore spot so it works for her although not perfectly. She always has to have her mouth licking or chewing. Must be the Cushings:confused:

Addy

[mypuppy]

My Princess lately has been licking her two front paws and I catch her licking the floors a lot (and there's no food on it--lol). It drives me insane, not because it bothers me she's doing it, but because I don't know why she does this? I highly believe all these strange behaviors must all be associated to this "dratted" cushings. Ugh ugh. If anyone figures it out let us know please. Luv you all.xo Jeanette and Princess

[Squirt's Mom]

Squirt has licked her front paws from day one (I wondered if she knew she was about to be drowned before she came to me! :eek::p ). But she only does it when she is sleepy, tired or nervous about something. I can usually say, "enough", and she stops. For this reason, I feel it is a psychological behavior not physiological for her...but I could be wrong. ;)

She has never developed a spot or bump on her paws from it. I think since you are seeing this on Chloe, it needs to be looked at by your vet. One reason a pup may start licking a certain area is pain, which might be from the area being licked or can be a transferred pain, like Saskia mentioned.

Here are some links on Lick Granuloma:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_lick_granuloma.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2085&aid=2304

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/treatment-of-lick-granuloma/page1.aspx

http://www.vetinfo.com/dlickgran.html

http://www.lbah.com/canine/ald.htm

http://www.abcanimalhosp.com/html/..%5Chtml%5Clickgranulomas.html

http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/lick-granulomas.html

Hope this helps!
Hugs,
Leslie

[Bichonluver3]

Chloe also has done this front paw licking and biting since day one. I think it may be a result of the abuse she went through before she came to us (it took 2 years to get her to go near my husband and sons). I have had this licking with Mr Sparky, on occasion and he usually develops a granuloma which disappears once he stops the licking. However, with Miss Chloe and the Atypical Cushing's, her system is already compromised and I don't want to risk an infection. Miss Chloe is beside me here, currently pawing at her kibble on the floor, dancing around it and jumping in the air:rolleyes:. She sure doesn't seem to be bothered by the leg at the moment but will make a doc appt anyway.
Thanks for the replies, everyone!
Carrol & Chloe (the licker)

[SasAndYunah]

Just wondering how Miss Chloe's leg is these days :)

Saskia and Yunah :)

[Bichonluver3]

Well, guess what it was! Our vet cleaned up the area and found 3 little holes like an insect had bitten her 3 times (must be some heavy duty bug to be traveling around in this heat!). Chloe had licked so much she had formed a hard "callus" over the area, which I had thought was a granuloma. She is on Clavamox tabs and we are putting on Kenalog cream. Seems to be doing the trick as licking has stopped.:D

[SasAndYunah]

That's good news, Carrol :) Those pesky insects! :( Thankfully the treatment is succesful and before long it will all be in the past, no more itching ;)

Sas and Yunah :)