Every dog and cat licks themselves as a way to stay clean. However, some pets lick a particular spot relentlessly to the point of causing an irritated sore. This is what is referred to as a lick granuloma, or acral lick granuloma. These sore patches of skin are not only uncomfortable for your pet and unsightly for you, they can also be difficult to clear up if not treated quickly and aggressively. Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of lick granuloma in dogs and cats.
Lick Granuloma Causes
Many factors can cause a pet to begin licking a particular spot on their body incessantly, including:
- Allergies
- Parasites (fleas, ticks, mites)
- Bacterial or fungal infection
- Skin condition (e.g., mange, dermatitis)
- Underlying joint condition
- Wound
- Foreign object (such as a foxtail) stuck in the skin
- Boredom
- Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
If a pet begins licking due to an injury or anxiety, they may
find that the behavior is soothing, and it may become
habitual.
As the pet repeatedly licks one area of skin, the hair begins
to fall off and the skin becomes red and shiny. Continued
licking results in a thick, hardened patch of skin that looks
like a growth, and some pets will lick to the point of causing
breaks in the skin.
While this condition can appear in any dog or cat, it is most
common in large, shorthaired dogs, including the
Doberman Pinscher,
German Shepherd,
Great Dane,
Labrador Retriever,
Irish Setter, and other bird-hunting dog breeds.
Lick Granuloma Symptoms
Lick granulomas are most often seen on the bottom half of a pet’s legs. They usually begin as a small red spot that over time widens and thickens. The hair will fall off and the area will appear red, shiny, swollen, and irritated, and the skin may ooze or break.
Lick Granuloma Treatment
Lick granulomas are often very difficult to treat because the
skin is so thoroughly damaged by the time the pet sees the
veterinarian. This is why early detection and treatment are so
important.
One of the most important parts of treatment is determining the
cause of your pet’s obsessive licking so that they can stop. If
the pet is licking because of an allergy, infection, skin
condition, parasite, or foreign object, your veterinarian will
recommend the appropriate course of treatment. For psychogenic
causes -- such as boredom, anxiety, or OCD -- behavioral
therapy and medications may be required.
Treatment for the lesion itself will depend on the severity of
the wound. Common treatment options include:
- Bandaging or Elizabethan collar to prevent licking. However, this is often a temporary fix to allow the sore to heal. Many pets will return to licking the spot once the bandaging and/or collar are removed if the underlying cause of the licking is not addressed.
- Antibiotics to treat secondary infections. Many pets are kept on them long-term or until the underlying cause is resolved.
- Topical or injectable steroids to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation
- Acupuncture
- Radiation therapy
- Laser therapy
- Surgical removal of tissues
- Cryosurgery (freezing the tissues)
If you ever notice your pet licking more than usual, or if you see a red, irritated, or hairless patch of skin, contact your veterinarian.
Pemphigus In Dogs And Cats: The Leading Autoimmune Skin Issue In Pets
Many pet parents haven’t heard of pemphigus, but this
autoimmune skin condition is more common than you may know --
it’s actually the most common autoimmune skin condition in dogs
and cats.
Pemphigus in dogs and cats can affect pets of any age. The
condition occurs when the immune system begins attacking the
animal’s skin. Autoantibodies deposit themselves in the spaces
between skin cells, causing the cells to pull away from one
another. This, in turn, results in the breakdown of skin
tissue.
Cases of pemphigus can range from minor to severe; it all
depends on how deep the autoantibody is within the skin
layers.
There are four types of pemphigus that affect dogs, three of
which also affect cats:
-
Pemphigus
erythematosus: Autoantibodies are found in the
surface level layers of skin and cause little to no
incidence.
-
Pemphigus
foliaceus: Autoantibodies are found in the
surface level layers of skin and cause blisters.
-
Pemphigus
vulgaris: Autoantibodies are found in the deeper
layers of skin and cause ulcers.
- Pemphigus vegetans: This type affects dogs only, not cats. It is similar to vulgaris, but with less severe ulcers.
Why is my pet experiencing pemphigus?
The cause of pemphigus is unknown; however, veterinarians have pinpointed a few factors that may lead to flare-ups. Possible causes include:
-
Heredity: This
condition is seen in Akitas and Chow
Chows more than any other dog breeds. Pemphigus is
also seen among littermates. However, it is not commonly seen
in specific cat breeds.
-
Ultraviolet
Light: Vets have seen cases in which the
condition improves in the winter when pets are more likely to
be indoors and flare up in the summer when they are more
likely to be outdoors under the sun’s rays. They’ve also seen
a similar correlation between colder and warmer regions.
-
Medications: Certain
medications may cause a flare-up, which will typically appear
about seven days after the first dose. But if the medication
has caused a flare-up in the past, the reaction can occur in
as little as 24 hours. Be sure to inform your vet if a new
medication seems to be having side effects.
- History of chronic conditions: These includes allergies, hypothyroidism, and systemic lupus, among others.
What are the most common symptoms of pemphigus?
Symptoms will vary depending on the type of pemphigus your pet is experiencing. Possible symptoms include:
- Excessive itching
- Hair loss
- Red, scaly, crusty skin commonly along the head, ears, nose, and foot pads
- Pustules, cysts, and ulcers along mentioned areas; in more severe cases
- Lack of appetite, lethargy, and moodiness
- Loss of color in the gums and lips
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever in more severe cases
How do I treat pemphigus?
After a complete physical examination and a variety of other tests to diagnosis pemphigus, your vet will recommend a treatment that best addresses your pet’s needs. Possible treatments include:
- Steroid therapy. Typically corticosteroid and azathioprine.
- Change in diet. You pet will need to follow a low-fat diet if steroid therapy is prescribed to protect the pancreas.
- Reduce exposure to ultraviolet light and triggering medications.
- Management of other chronic conditions.
Keep in mind, pemphigus will likely come and go over time. So in other words, pemphigus is best treated with proactive management of the condition. And don’t worry, it is not a contagious condition.
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