Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog licking its legs a lot - causes and treatment
By Shumaker, Amy K·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2019·VCA South Shore Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diagnosis and Treatment of Canine Acral Lick Dermatitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with acral lick dermatitis, which causes constant licking and thickened, ulcerated patches on the skin, can be a real concern for pet owners. This condition often affects the lower legs and can be triggered by allergies, infections, or even behavioral issues. To help manage this problem, it's important for veterinarians to identify and treat any underlying causes, such as allergies or infections, and to address any compulsive licking behavior. With the right treatment plan, including medication and behavioral therapy, many dogs can find relief and heal from this frustrating condition.
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Abstract
Acral lick dermatitis is a common, frustrating disease. It is characterized by incessant licking behavior resulting in raised, thickened, ulcerative plaques, most commonly affecting the lower extremities of dogs. Underlying primary diseases, such as allergic disorders (atopic dermatitis, food allergy, flea allergy), orthopedic or neurologic disorders, parasitic diseases (eg, demodicosis), infections (fungal, bacterial), neoplasia or psychogenic disorders (compulsive/obsessive-compulsive disorder), and perpetuating factors (especially secondary infections) drive the itch-lick cycle. Appropriately addressing the primary underlying disorder and secondary infections and addressing any possible behavioral component via behavioral modification and psychopharmacotherapeutics are vital for successful management of this disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30268424/