Hi all,

This is my first post here. I have 3 GSD's and 2 BC's.

My oldest shepherd has a granuloma (diagnosed yesterday) He is a show dog, and this is a bit worrying.

I've been doing some internet research tonight, but unfortunately, it seems that there isn't a real cure for this problem.

This dog unfortunately gets a bit stressed out about things, and I've just introduced a new puppy bitch to my kennel. So I think this may be the cause of it.

I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with lick granuloma, and if you have any ideas of how to deal with it. I am using an Elizabethan collar at night and bandaging his leg during the day.

I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks
Lisa

Hi Lisa,
I used to use Bachs Rescue Remedy whenever my BC started licking again. With that and the Elizabethan collar, we managed to finally break his habit :)

Hi Jaqui

Thanks for your response.

Another question though (sorry!) We're you using Bach rescue remedy drops, on the tongue for stress, or were you using the cream for the actual wound?

I'm sorry to be such a pain, you can probably understand that I'm really worried about this dog. He and the new pup live in with us, our others are kennelled. I can't say I love my kennelled dogs less, because I don't. But I spend a lot of time with this dog, and he's a sweetheart. I can't bear to think he's stressed in any way, and I'd like to do anything I can for him.

Thanks again

Lisa

Whoops, should have explained me self better...You're not a pain, t'was my fault :D

I was using the drops on the tongue for stress. I did find a tea tree and calendula cream that worked for the actual wound :)

Thanks Jacqui,

I've got some rescue remedy drops. I'll start using that, and try and find some cream.

I appreciate your help.

Thanks again

Lisa

You're welcome, Lisa. I hope they work for your dog like they did mine. One other thing I did notice, if I was stressed, then he licked worse. I used the r/remedy for myself, also :rolleyes: ;)

Good luck with your pooch and 'welcome' to the board :)

Scuse my ignorance but what exactly is Lick Granuloma ?

Hi Banger,
Lick Granuloma is caused when a dog persistently licks at a particular area, usually the wrist joint or a paw. This can be due to boredom or stress (rather like human nail-biting) or can be due to pain in the area. Once they get started it can be a very difficult habit to break, and can result in extensive skin damage and ulceration.

Hope this helps. :)

Hiya,

My dogs granuloma started off as a rat bite.
It was healing fine, then all of a sudden he started licking, and wouldn't stop.

His legs in a right mess. The vet is talking about cutting the granuloma out. But, I'm worried about it scarring, so I'm trying what jacqui suggested first.

Jacqui....I used to have panic attacks and used rescue remedy also!! Brilliant stuff!

My Tess started getting what my vet calls 'Lick Sore' on one of her rear legs when her arthrytis started setting in on her back legs , she did give me a spray but it made no difference , it got a wee bit infected so she put her on antibiotics which actually seemed to make it worse , and Tess seemed to like the obnoxious smelling potion that it was !! .. my vet unconventionally asked me to try putting cod liver oil over the area hoping that would put her off,but as Tess is used to x2 codliver oil capsules a day which she eats like sweets, it did not deter her from her licking.As what I thought was a last resort she suggested english mustard with chilli powder mixed in over the wound after liberally applying the antiseptic cream she had given me....within 2 days no more licking ..however loads of yellow mustard carpet stains !! I have to admit although it may be cause Tess is older , the hair does not grow back fully to cover the area. She is mainly black with white blazes , however her Lick patch has grown in grey same as her muzzle is now.
Karyn

Hi Jacqui
I know this is abit OT but I have a tortoise which the vets wanted to put to sleep because she had lost a leg in an accident. The stump wouldn't heal and kept getting maggoty :-( I took her to my own vet (an exotics specialist) who didn't hold out a lot of hope as she was so debilitated, but I strapped her leg up to her shell after applying liberal amounts of calendula cream to the wound and after a matter of weeks she grew calloused skin over the old stump and it even has the appearance of small scales now after 12 months. This summer she laid three eggs and is getting around nicely - so three cheers for calendula cream :-)

Wow, I'm so pleased that your tortoise is loads better....yes, I'll cheer for calendula cream :)
I got my first pot from a lady at a dog show. She made her own up and was explaining how calendula heals both the inside and outside of a wound. I'm not sure if it's true or not, but I've had some ever since.

Hiya all.

Went back to the vets yesterday about Toro's lick granuloma.

He's going in to the vets tomorrow to have it cut out. The vet thinks it will heal better if it is just a nice clean wound.

I hate any of my dogs having anaesthetics...I get so worried!

Anyway, just thought i'd let you all know.

Take care all

Lisa

It is a worry, isn't it? But I'm sure he'll be fine. Good luck to both you and him :)

Our paws will be crossed that everything goes ok for you and him, tomorrow, Lisa....remember the rescue remedy...for yourself!! ;)

Any updates, Lisa? :)

hiya Jacqui...

Unfortunately we couldn't take Toro to the vet....my hubby's brother passed away and as you can imagine everything has been a bit hectic.
So I phoned and told the vet i'd rebook...

However...! As I said, hubby's brother died. He had 2 dogs, both collie crosses, and as we have land we said we'd give them a home (That makes 7 now!) Since we've had them, which admittedly has only been 2 days, Toro seems a lot happier and has stopped licking his leg. There's a noticable difference in the sore, it's dried up a lot.

I'm really pleased about this, but i'm certain it's not the end of the problem. That would be too easy wouldn't it...and lifes just not like that!!!
Anyway, I'm going to see how he goes, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Before I go, I have another doggy problem! One of the dogs that I've just inherited, Toby a 10 year old collie cross seems to be having problems defaecating. I'm sort of hoping this is due to the stress of his owner dying, and Toby moving to a new home, and that maybe he'll settle in soon. He seems happy enough in himself, but is really straining to go to the toilet.
What do you think?

Take care,

Lisa (wondering why she has dogs.....and drinking a whole bottle of rescue remedy!!)

I'm sorry about your B'i'L, Lisa, what a sad time for you all.

I'm glad though to hear Toro is seeming a little happier though....who knows?...maybe he senses that with all around him feeling sad, that he'd better pick himself up and get on with things. I know it's a long shot but they are very sensitive of our feelings. Once my dogs wound had a chance to dry up, it wasn't long before it healed completely (never to be seen again thank goodness) Paws crossed it's the case for yours :)

About the other dog, if you know he can tolerate a milky meal, I'd try weetabix (you can make it with water if needed) for the added fibre. I have used fibogel too just poured on one of the dogs meals and that may work. If after this he's still having trouble ,I'd book him into the vet's for a checkup.

Good luck with your extended crew
Jacqui :)

Hi Jacqui,

Thanks for your post, It is very sad about my B'i'L but he'd had a lot of problems for a very long time and was in a lot of pain. I think he's probably in a better place now :)

I'll give Toby some weetabix and see how he gets on. I feel so sorry for him, he's been through such a lot. Hopefully I can get him sorted out and make the last years of his life happy ones.
Also, I'm not sure when he was last wormed so i'm going to do that today.

Luckily the other dog, Bonnie is very health and happy....she's a bit fat! but we can soon get some of that weight off her!

Take care, have a good day..

Lisa

Sorry to hear about your B-i-L, Lisa. Good on you taking in his dogs, though.

With the collie having trouble pooing - I hate talking about poo first thing, but, is he managing to produce sort of ribbons of it - flattish, and not all at once? If so, and he's entire, it could be due to prostate problems. Maybe a visit to the vet would be a good idea. :)

Hi Jean,

Yes he's managing to produce bits, but straining hard to do that.

I'll see how he goes over the weekend, Jacqui suggested trying weetabix, then if he's no better I'll get him to the vet on Monday.

Know what you mean about talking about poo in the mornings....puts you right off your breakfast doesn't it?! :)

Lisa

You could try some liquid paraffin to ease his constipation.
Lara x

Hi all

Re the granuloma subject - does anyone know if these can be caused by another dog licking a small wound. We have a 15 year Cavalier bitch and about two years ago she developed a small spot like sore on her back. This was actually where she had had a infected tick wound when she was very young. Now her daughter who is quite a motherly bitch insists on keeping Nell's sore clean, she washes it morning, noon and night, Nell doesn't object and the wound never looks infected but then it never heals either. When Jolly is in season and away from home at my friends, Nell's sore starts to dry and the hair around it grows and almost covers BUT as soon as madam returns, we are back to square one. My vet suggested surgery to remove the tissue and then thought it would heal but since Nell is 15 and I don't know the state of her heart we declined the surgery. It was only after reading these posts that I wondered whether in fact Nell did have a lick granuloma. Would welcome any views.

Alice

Hi Alice

It sounds like it could well be a lick granuloma, but I didn't know it could be caused by another dog!!

I personally wouldn't put Nell through an anaesthetic at her age, I think you were right to decline.

Have you read the other posts on this thread? A lot of people gave me some good advice.

Let us know how Nell gets on.

Take care

Lisa

What about putting a tee shirt on the dog with the sore, it will keep the younger one from getting access to it, and should be cool if it is cotton. Probably a small childs one would do the trick!

Good thought - I will try that, it would keep Jolly away and also stop people asking what is wrong with her back on her short walks.

Thanks

Have you read my prev response re mustard powder ?.. Honestly it did work for my Tess ... and may for you .....as long as you ensure you put liberal anti bi / barrier cream on wound prior to applying the mustard/chilli mix does not sting .... Another useful deterrant is garlic ( which unfortunately does not work for me cause all my animals love it !!) The T shirt idea sounds cool .. but i know from experiance when my Tess had wound on her side, as soon as she was out of view .. she easily got rid of it.I know you can get sprays from vet to deter licking but as I have already mentioned .. my dog liked them .. So I would go for home remedies ... eg a flavour your other dog hates.