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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.
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