I like this idea. I am currently treating a small lick granuloma on Sherman's leg, I was using SSD ointment on it, and it was working o.k.. After reading this I asked the vet if I could give this a try instead. Thanks for the idea!
Hi Jen, sorry about Sherman's granuloma! Do you know what's the cause behind it? The ideal therapy for lick granulomas is identification and treatment of the underlying cause (foreign body, allergy, infection, arthritis ...)
Betadine desinfects, but doesn't really do anything to promote healing other than dealing with the infection (bacterial, fungal). So unless the underlying cause is an infection, I don't see how that would help ...?
The vet thinks it is a compulsive behavior. We took x-rays a few months ago and there was no sign of bone disease. Skin scrap showed bacteria, so we treated it with oral antibiotics. It has been fine up until the other day when I actually noticed Leroy licking at it and saw that it was red and oozing a bit again. I'm assuming that Sherman was licking at it first and then Leroy started in.
Personally, I am quite careful jumping to behavioral explanations. There were many times we figured Jasmine was just being pesty, figuring some behavioral cause to some of the things she was doing ... time and time again she taught me that this was not the case.
I am not saying that it could not be, or could not become a behavioral thing (such as when you have a broken tooth you can't help but run your tongue on it), I am saying that I believe that most odd behaviors do have physiological root.
Where on the leg is it? Could it be perhaps some foreign body? A friend's dog had this on her foot. At first they found an infection. They treated the infection. They decided it was allergies. Eventually they found a foreign body deep in the tissue. (That's @Kenzo_HW, you can talk to him about it)
I think that what I would try is some product such as http://www.virbacvet.com/Products/Dermatology/InfectiousDermatitis/DERMACOOLSprays.aspx; we've used it with Jasmine. This should diminish whatever sensation there may be. Then you'd see whether the behavior subsides or not.
I hear you, we took x-rays and didn't see anything, the vet poked around and nothing. The spot where the granuloma is now a small hole because he chewed it and nothing can be seen in it. It's thickened underneath that is consisted to a granuloma,(per the vet) and the issues come and go with it. The first time I noticed it was almost a year ago. It's on his left rear leg, right below the hock. I tried a Betagen spray that has a little bit of a steroid in it and that did not help.
You see, I'm not even sure whether chewing should be a part of it--"LICK granuloma". Do talk to Kenzo, as their experience was quite similar, except on foot. An x-ray might not always show all foreign bodies.
Thanks Jana, I stopped over at Kenzo's and read her posts about the foot issues they were having. I am going to keep a close eye on it. The only reason he chewed at it was because he got the cord to my alarm clock stuck around his foot when I was sleeping the other night. He chewed himself free and I think he accidentally chewed that spot along with another area right below. I can't believe he didn't get electrocuted. only things like this happen to me and my dogs.
I know you were ... so was I! LOL The HUMAN is a GUY. LOL The reason this is so funny is because EVERYBODY (except me) seems to think it's a her, until they find out otherwise.
I like this idea. I am currently treating a small lick granuloma on Sherman's leg, I was using SSD ointment on it, and it was working o.k.. After reading this I asked the vet if I could give this a try instead. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, sorry about Sherman's granuloma! Do you know what's the cause behind it? The ideal therapy for lick granulomas is identification and treatment of the underlying cause (foreign body, allergy, infection, arthritis ...)
DeleteBetadine desinfects, but doesn't really do anything to promote healing other than dealing with the infection (bacterial, fungal). So unless the underlying cause is an infection, I don't see how that would help ...?
The vet thinks it is a compulsive behavior.
ReplyDeleteWe took x-rays a few months ago and there was no sign of bone disease. Skin scrap showed bacteria, so we treated it with oral antibiotics. It has been fine up until the other day when I actually noticed Leroy licking at it and saw that it was red and oozing a bit again. I'm assuming that Sherman was licking at it first and then Leroy started in.
Personally, I am quite careful jumping to behavioral explanations. There were many times we figured Jasmine was just being pesty, figuring some behavioral cause to some of the things she was doing ... time and time again she taught me that this was not the case.
DeleteI am not saying that it could not be, or could not become a behavioral thing (such as when you have a broken tooth you can't help but run your tongue on it), I am saying that I believe that most odd behaviors do have physiological root.
Where on the leg is it? Could it be perhaps some foreign body? A friend's dog had this on her foot. At first they found an infection. They treated the infection. They decided it was allergies. Eventually they found a foreign body deep in the tissue. (That's @Kenzo_HW, you can talk to him about it)
I think that what I would try is some product such as http://www.virbacvet.com/Products/Dermatology/InfectiousDermatitis/DERMACOOLSprays.aspx; we've used it with Jasmine. This should diminish whatever sensation there may be. Then you'd see whether the behavior subsides or not.
I hear you, we took x-rays and didn't see anything, the vet poked around and nothing. The spot where the granuloma is now a small hole because he chewed it and nothing can be seen in it. It's thickened underneath that is consisted to a granuloma,(per the vet) and the issues come and go with it. The first time I noticed it was almost a year ago. It's on his left rear leg, right below the hock. I tried a Betagen spray that has a little bit of a steroid in it and that did not help.
ReplyDeleteYou see, I'm not even sure whether chewing should be a part of it--"LICK granuloma". Do talk to Kenzo, as their experience was quite similar, except on foot. An x-ray might not always show all foreign bodies.
DeleteThanks Jana, I stopped over at Kenzo's and read her posts about the foot issues they were having. I am going to keep a close eye on it. The only reason he chewed at it was because he got the cord to my alarm clock stuck around his foot when I was sleeping the other night. He chewed himself free and I think he accidentally chewed that spot along with another area right below. I can't believe he didn't get electrocuted. only things like this happen to me and my dogs.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, you lucked out with the cord! I don't think there is so much juice going to an alarm clock, though? (just guessing, no idea)
DeleteOk, I can see the chewing part.
Btw, why does everybody think Kenzo is a girl? And I mean everybody! It's a guy! LOL
LOL, I was talking about the human, her. Right, isn't the author a her?
ReplyDeleteI know you were ... so was I! LOL The HUMAN is a GUY. LOL The reason this is so funny is because EVERYBODY (except me) seems to think it's a her, until they find out otherwise.
DeleteOh no! Now I am so embarrassed! I totally thought the human was a girl:) Now I know:)))))lol
ReplyDeleteI really have to start posting pictures of myself, it's an epidemic! :)
DeleteI know, right? That's why I thought it was so funny. LOL Gotta wonder WHY does EVERYBODY think that.
Delete