Dog licking himself raw

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for suggestions to keep a dog from licking his skin raw. There doesn't appear to be anything wrong there, and if he would leave it alone it would get better. We took him into the vet and she didn't have any great suggestions and things seemed to be on the mend at that point. We've since experienced a regression of sorts and are at our wit's end. We've tried a cone, a muzzle, an exterior bandage dipped in hot (really hot!) sauce, tea tree oil. Ugh, any other suggestions?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Sounds like allergies or OCD. Diet or meds would help allergies and meds for OCD. Is this a new thing or has he always done it?

[Anonymous]

OP here: this is a new thing. He does have some skin allergies, but this is a localized thing to one spot on his leg. It may be worth trying some Benadryl though, that's a good idea. We think part of it is that it itches as it is healing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: this is a new thing. He does have some skin allergies, but this is a localized thing to one spot on his leg. It may be worth trying some Benadryl though, that's a good idea. We think part of it is that it itches as it is healing.

My dog did this for awhile.

I washed it with plain water a couple of times a day, then dried and put Cortisone cream on it. I did this just before walks or playing, so that she couldn't lick the cream off immediately after it was applied. I also kept her with me in the same room (used baby gates) so that I could keep an eye on her and stop her from licking when feasible.

I gave her a half-dose of Benadryl in the AM, and a full dose in the PM, which not only helped the itching/reactivity but helped her to sleep (cannot lick when sleeping).

What food is your dog on? If it is a mainstream brand (Purina, Alpo, etc.) which contains corn, soy, wheat or other allergens, those could be the culprit.

[Anonymous]

Benadryl can help. There is a spray called Dermaplast, which has a numbing agent.
Have fleas been ruled out? Our dog went through a similar episode a few weeks ago. She turned out to have a severe flea allergy. The cure was instantaneous and almost miraculous.

[Anonymous]

When my dog is in pain he licks his paw...I think to compensate for being uncomfortable. Normally it has to do with an irritation so we give him Benedryl and it helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Benadryl can help. There is a spray called Dermaplast, which has a numbing agent.
Have fleas been ruled out? Our dog went through a similar episode a few weeks ago. She turned out to have a severe flea allergy. The cure was instantaneous and almost miraculous.

Flea allergy? Wouldn't it just be flea bites?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for suggestions to keep a dog from licking his skin raw. There doesn't appear to be anything wrong there, and if he would leave it alone it would get better. We took him into the vet and she didn't have any great suggestions and things seemed to be on the mend at that point. We've since experienced a regression of sorts and are at our wit's end. We've tried a cone, a muzzle, an exterior bandage dipped in hot (really hot!) sauce, tea tree oil. Ugh, any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Benadryl by mouth. Spray bitter apple on the site locally.

[Anonymous]

How much Benadryl? Follow weight guidelines?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Flea allergy? Wouldn't it just be flea bites?

Some dogs (mine for example) are severely allergic to flea bites, leading to widespread rashes. My dog had scratched herself raw in places, and we thought they were just hotspots till we took her to the vet. One pill to kill the fleas, medicated shampoo and a week of prednisone later, she is completely healed.

For Benadryl: follow the weight recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much Benadryl? Follow weight guidelines?

I give my dog one adult capsule. She weighs 24 lbs.

Here is a link to some guidance:

http://www.walkervalleyvet.com/otc-meds.htm

Be sure to buy the produce that is ONLY Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) and nothing else.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe your vet has no idea?? Time to switch. It's allergies and its called granuloma. Just google "dog licking paw raw" or whatever body part and you'll get tons of advice. The PPs have great ideas. You may need to wrap the area until it heals. Time for the hat of shame if your dog wants to rip off the bandage.

[Anonymous]

My vet gives an allergy shot which is a predisone type medication. Clears up in two days. It is most likely an allergy to a flea bite.

[Anonymous]

What area of the body is your dog licking?

[Anonymous]

Agree with the allergy suggestions above. You can also try anti-itch shampoo. In winter our dog got very dry skin which made him itchy-adding a capful of fish oil to his food helped a lot with that too.