Licking spot

[Guest]

My 10 year old dog has a spot on her hip that she likes to lick.

The history is- 3 years ago she had a spot on her hip she licked on and off. I was bad about taking her to the vet because I had some personal tragedy going on at the time and I finally got around to it the spot had been there a couple months. The vet decided to remove it surgically and have it biopsied (to the tune of $500. Was negative. She has a huge scar as a result.

well about twice a year in the same area she will start licking again. usually in the winter time. The first time it came back she was staying with some one else for a few weeks. I put an E collar on her head and eventually it went away and she stopped licking. Like I siad it starts happening a couple times a year since and I put on the cone and in a couple weeks its fixed.

Well this time it isnt so easy! In december she started on a spot thats a little different than in the past but within an inch or so. I put the cone on and it was gone but then I boarded her over the new year and she licked while she was away. Since then she has been on antibiotics for something else and those didnt seem to help. Everytime it starts to really heal she has started licking it again and re opened the wound. I take the cone off when she goes outside and sometimes forget to put it right back on. In the mornings its fine cause she licks elsewhere but in the evening she goes to lay down elsewhere and immediately goes at it.

Any ideas on what else I could do? Like I said antibiotics didnt help. She doesnt mind the cone but not good quality of life.
I can take her back tot he vet but I need some ideas on whats going on before then because I dont want them to suggest another surgery cause Im not willing to do that again.
thanks!

[Traci]

Your vet can do a skin scrape/culture from the area to check for dermatoses, allergies, flea allergy dermatitis or other causes of atopy...this would be less invasive than another biopsy. Your vet was prudent in first doing a biopsy due to your dog's age.

It also sounds like this a stress-reaction, so keep the stress at a minimal, and try spending more time with her with bonding, activity, walks, etc.

You can try using vitamin E oil on the area to keep it soothed, but ideally, it should be looked at again because bacterial infection can enter the lesion and worsen the situation. Combined with a culture, your vet should be able to get a better handle on this. If she hasn't had general bloodwork done within the last year, now would be a good time to do so.

[Guest]

She has had blood work done about a year ago. I forgot to mention before they did the surgery they did do a scraping and recently they did scrapings in other areas including her ears and patches near where this lick spot is and they came up negative. They can do it again but I am willing to bet it will be negative once again.

Stress is probably a big factor but Im not sure what to do about that. She has been getting lots of exercise (especially for her age) lately- she still goes on walks and short jogs. I have another dog that keeps her company.

I will take her back to the vet but Im just feeling like they wont have any answers for me. so far they havent. She has some moth eaten spots along her sides (fur was patchy- she has short hair) and some weird spots on her ears and all they gave me was some antibiotic type shampoo. The problem went away on its own.
Oh, and the area they scrap became a lick spot!!! But didn't last long.

[Traci]

The sample taken from the skin scrape, was it cultured as well? If your vet only looked at it under a microscope, he could be missing other types of infection, bacterials, etc.

Ideally, your dog should have a full blood profile done each year. Might also suggest evaluating her diet in the event she has developed a food allergy, your vet should be able to discuss an appropriate diet for her lifestage, activity level, or based on any unusual findings on bloodwork.

Also, look closely into the environment and try to determine any changes you've implemented within the last year....cleaning products, carpet cleaners, new dog beds, etc.

[Guest]

Yea they cultured it but maybe not for bacteria. Its just frustrating.

Im thinking diet may play a role too but my vet is terrible when it comes to discussing foods- they will only point you to the prescirption science diet. They also gave me some expensive powder to add to her food before but didnt help. It was just a general healthy coat formula.

I will try switching foods just because you never know. Good ideas on the bedding and stuff like that.. hadnt thought of it.

I mentioned this before but I continue to notice it- in the mornings I take off the cone to let her out and she comes back in a never licks that spot, but in the evenings she will right away. It may just be her energy level or something but if anyone has any ideas let me know!

[Traci]

There's nothing wrong with prescription diets, despite the hype you hear on the net. Many of them are specifically designed for specific purposes, including allergies. Hypoallergenic diets can be helpful in a process of elimination when suspecting food allergies.

Ask your vet for recommendations on essential fatty acid supplements you can try, these are also sometimes helpful in skin and coat conditions.

The evenings- when she licks it, it could be a "comfort measure", due to boredom, or even due to a hidden health illness (i.e., arthritic condition or slowly developing organ disfunction). Again, a blood profile might be helpful.

[davet]

hey Traci:


good article on these psychogenic and other causes lickand hot spot....in Vet Med Feb...