Acral Lick Granuloma in Dogs

Acral Lick Granuloma Treatment Cost: $50 to $1,500

What is Acral Lick Granuloma in Dogs?

Acral lick granulomas, or lick granulomas, are also known as acral lick dermatitis. They are one of the most frustrating conditions for veterinarians and pet parents.

A lick granuloma is a chronic and infected skin lesion.

They usually start as a small, harmless spot. But the spot isn’t the problem. A granuloma forms when the dog obsessively licks and chews the tiny spot. The result is a big, oozing wound.

Granulomas affect the deepest layers of the skin. The dog’s compulsive licking forces bacteria far down, even to the base layer. Most granulomas have broken hair follicles, scarred oil glands, and wounded blood capillaries.

Acral lick dermatitis most often occurs on the front lower legs and paws because these areas are easily accessible by the dog’s mouth.

Causes of Acral Lick Granuloma

It might seem like a bothersome bump causes that kind of licking that eventually forms a granuloma. However, there are many things that cause a dog to lick themselves:

Dog Anxiety and Stress

Many granulomas occur because of dog anxiety. Dogs “self-stimulate” to cope with feelings of anxiety. One method of self-stimulation is repetitive licking.

For a dog with moderate to severe anxiety, the licking becomes compulsive. Unfortunately, by trying to self-soothe, a dog inflicts painful wounds.

Stress in dogs can be caused by a new child or pet in the home, separation anxiety, or unfamiliar surroundings. There are many other sources of stress for dogs.

Boredom in Dogs

Some veterinarians believe that boredom can lead to lick granulomas. With nothing else to do, dogs lick themselves excessively to pass the time.

Canine Allergies

Allergies can cause skin inflammation and itching. Dogs will lick to manage the discomfort. Even mild allergies can cause itchiness. Dogs can be allergic to food and environmental allergens, such as pollen.

Foreign Bodies

A bee sting, splinter, or thistle spine can be painful if not removed. Dogs will groom a painful area in order to get rid of whatever is bothering them. Grooming may become excessive if the foreign body can’t be easily removed.

Hypothyroidism in Dogs

Some cases of acral lick granuloma are due to hypothyroidism in dogs. This is more commonly seen in black Labs than any other breed.

Dog Breeds Prone to Lick Granuloma

Any dog can suffer from excessive licking, but certain breeds are more prone to acral lick granulomas. These breeds are:

• Doberman Pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Golden Retrievers
• Labrador Retrievers
• Irish Setters
• Weimaraners

Treating Acral Lick Granuloma

The obvious treatment for lick granulomas is to stop the licking. But it’s not that simple. It’s very hard to get a dog to stop licking themselves, especially when they’re left alone.

Lick granuloma treatment is complicated and frustrating. The wound may begin to heal, but the dog will begin licking again and all progress is lost.

Stop Dog from Licking a Granuloma

Pet parents and veterinarians may apply a bandage or cast-like material to the granuloma to protect it. Most often, the dog will begin licking the other leg and cause a second granuloma.

Other recommended treatments are to apply a foul-tasting topical to the area or to make the dog wear a medical collar. These are temporary solutions that don’t provide a long term fix. The dog will resume chewing at the granuloma once the collar is removed or the topical becomes tolerable.

Acral Lick Granuloma Laser Surgery

Recently, laser surgery has become an effective treatment for lick granulomas. Veterinary surgeons carefully laser the granuloma to remove the diseased surface layers.

At the same time, nerves are sealed off so the dog doesn’t experience ongoing pain or discomfort. This reduces the desire to lick (if the granuloma isn’t due to psychological causes).

Not all veterinarians have laser instruments. Ask your vet for a referral if you are interested in laser treatment for your dog’s lick granuloma.

Anxiety Medications for Lick Granulomas

Unfortunately, laser surgery may not be very helpful in the long run for dogs with a psychological compulsion to lick and chew. Lasers can’t prevent a dog from causing another granuloma.

In anxious dogs, anti-anxiety medications may reduce self-soothing behaviors. This can lead to less lick dermatitis, but it is usually not a complete solution.

There over the counter products for dog anxiety. Many pet parents trust these products to help calm their dog.

Return to the Dog Health Problems glossary.