My GSD has the normal patch of hard skin at the top/elbow of her leg ( not sure if it has a proper name ) but in the past couple of weeks she is licking it frequently. I find wet patches on the floor where she has spent time just gently licking. Is there a cream I can put on that will take the soreness away or should I bathe it in hibiscrub, I would be most grateful for advice.

I have used Antiseptic dog powder in the past, this should dry the area and stop the licking.

It is possible there is infection I would advise a vet visit as ABs may be required - don't want infection so near a joint so best be safe than sorry in this situation. Bathe with scrub will do no harm. It could be a problem in the actual joint that is making her lick but a vet will check for you.

I would take to the vet, it can turn nasty.  i know someone who lost a dog from sores there.  It made me paranoid for a while on my old girl as she marks around her elbows.

Many thanks for the advice.
Gut feeling I don't feel that it is an infection as she has had similar in the past and then I put a soothing vet cream on it which she promptly licked off. Also if it was infected I think she would be worrying it during the night as well which she is not.
Yes Nova she does have bad joint probs, hips very bad and she uses her front legs as in front wheel drive. She is now having probs ( bony growths ) on the front joints and is on pain killers, joint aid and vet has recommended aquatherapy which I am looking in to, but again I don't think this is the cause of the licking.
We moved house from a carpeted home to an old house with stone floors about 10 days ago ( about the time the licking started) although she has beds around in the lounge, kitchen and bedroom she still spreads out on the rough limestone floor and I think this is causing the problem. I think maybe the roughness of the floor is making her elbow 'hard skin area' sore. I will try the vet powder to see if that stops the licking as the cream just gets licked off, but if I am at all concerned I will take her to the vets but don't feel it is necessary at this moment.
Is this just a gsd thing as my other dogs don't have these hard areas on their elbows, but I know previous gsds that I have been lucky enough to own had them as well. I have never really taken much notice until now when I realised that non of the others ( spaniels, terriers boxers etc )have them or am I going loopy.

Sue, is it on what I would call pressure areas when she is laying down, I have come across these in older dogs or even if they have been immobile for some time especialy if they like to stretch out on hard flooring. Often a built up of hard skin  to protect boney areas or it can become wet and sore. Our older dog had one last year (after staying at the orthopaedic specialist) having been immobile from paralysis, the vet told me it was a bed sore, no infection but treated for some time with sudocrem and it has gone. Have found sudocrem to be very good.

Hi Lacy, Yes that is exactly what its like, although she has had this hard skin area for as long as I can remember since being a young dog, it just gets sore from time to time. I will look out for Sudocrem, Is this the same Sudocrem that I can buy in the chemist for human use

Is sudocrem safe to use in an area where a dog can lick it off? I am a bit wary as it's a zinc based product which is pretty toxic stuff.

My previous GSDs had these hard worn areas on their elbows at the age of 8ish. I think it was because they spent most of the day lying on a hard drive surface outside the house. They never bothered them however. Maybe telling your dog off nicely each time he goes to lick, he may stop eventually.

Sorry not a he, a she.

Sue. Yes it is the same. I have used it for as long as I've had dogs (BH's are prone to red areas in the folds of their skin and our vet suggested using it as it also smothers any yeast) and have used it for lots of things, between toes, bites, minor sores. They do sometimes lick it but have had no side effects, try a small pot first, I really recommend it, if licking is a problem could you not cover temporarily with a loose bandage. Ask your vet what he thinks about Sudocrem next time you see him.

My dog also has trouble with elbow ulcers - so, might try the sudocrem :)

Good luck, hope it helps.

> if licking is a problem could you not cover temporarily with a loose bandage

You could try a child's sock, just cut the toes out.

My old girl has them, she doesn't lick though.  She does lick the front of her legs though, told this is due to aches and pains.