Expert: Sharon Hubbs- Kreft - 5/6/2005

Question
Dear Sharon,
I have two dogs who are both 6 years old.  The female (St. Bernard) was rescued from an abusive/ neglectful situation when she was about 1 year old. She has recovered from most of her issues.  She is the alpha dog in our house.  I decided to get her b/c my male is very neurotic and has severe separation anxiety/ nervousness.  He is a Saint Bernard/ Great Pyrenese mix and is about 155lbs.  He has always been needy and neurotic, and generally goes through neurotic habbits. Typically, he forgets his habbit after a month or so, but he has kept this self-destructive licking habbit of his fore-paw for about 6 months.  I have been to the vet several times and he has been on antibiotics/ topical ointments and "band-guard" which is a deterrent of licking b/c it tastes horrible.  I have also tried the E-collar (he is clausterphobic so this was just a horrible stress for him) and I have taped socks over his paw.  This worked until he realized he could tear the socks off if he chewed at them long enough.  This behaviour began when my vet thought he should lose some weight and I reduced his food.  THe reduction was slight and since he did not usually even eat his whole meal right away, I did not think it would affect him.  
I have gotten him 95% healed only to find that he has ripped the remaining scab off and licked a large area raw and hairless again, starting the cycle over.
I am concerned that there is something wrong with his wrist, but he has no signs of arthritus (my vet did a thorough exam and tested his movement...).
I have him on food that is very high quality.
Since this problem began he has eaten a few foods
1.  California Naturals (only has 5 ingredients and is recommended for dogs with food allergies)
2.  Other foods that are "all natural" and contain many ingredients, but are very high quality.
He has never eaten foods preserved with anything except vitamin E, or had any food coloring in them. I have tried to be very careful to minimize his exposure to any chemicals and to non-human grade meats--I do feed him "human-grade" meat, although there is no other meat consumption or animal products in our house.  
He is currently eating a vegetarian food and seems to like it.
Are there any supplements that would help him or do you have any suggestions that would help alleviate his focus on his paw.  
I have tried giving him more things to chew on, but as soon as he is done with that, he goes right back to focusing on his leg.
Thanks for you time and help!
-Samantha

Answer
Hello Samantha -

Your pet sounds as if he is suffering from a true case of Acral Lick Dermatitis/Granuloma.

Acral lick dermatitis (also called lick granuloma) in dogs is a condition which develops as a result of excessive, chronic licking. It usually occurs on the front part of the lower leg, often over the carpus or metacarpus. The constant licking causes inflammation in the skin and, over time, the skin in that area becomes thickened. Because the dog continues to lick, the area can not heal and may become red, raised, and ulcerated. It is likely that the licking and the inflammation also cause the area to be itchy, which causes more licking, and starts an itch-lick cycle.

It is thought that the act of licking causes the release of endorphins (chemical substances which provide a sense of well-being) in the dog's brain. The dog soon learns that licking brings about this pleasant feeling, and keeps on licking. In other situations, there may be an underlying cause for the licking including allergies, skin mites, fungal infections, arthritis, trauma, foreign bodies, tumors, and neurological disease. There can also be psychological components, such as boredom, stress, and separation anxiety. It is important to accurately determine the cause of the licking, in order to treat effectively.

Often, along with a lick granuloma, there will be a bacterial infection in the skin. The moisture from the licking can cause overgrowth of the normal skin bacteria. This can increase the itchiness. Until the bacterial infection is resolved, it will be difficult to get the dog to stop licking so that the area can heal. In these cases, long-term antibiotic therapy (often for as long as 4 months) may be needed.

In those cases in which the licking may have a psychological cause, an anti-depressant medication may be prescribed.

The best way to heal the scab is to first wash the scab with Witch Hazel or apple cider vinegar. Witch Hazel and apple cider vinegar are an anti-septics and will soothe and cleanse the area and will help clean it of bacteria. They also help with itch control because the area has been disinfected. After cleansed, apply tea tree oil or aloe vera gel and wrap the paw in a gauze bandage. This process works very well. My Golden Retriever had this problem and this treatment really worked well. I also added a combination of Flower Essences to his water and the results were remarkable.

I would be happy to help you in choosing Flower Essences. Flower essence therapy works on a similar mechanism as homeopathy. Parts of the flower are diluted and then potentised to become effective. The flower essences are found in liquid form. Thus, the remedies work on an energetic level, similar to homeopathy, acupuncture and Reiki. They affect the mental and emotional parts of our being. Dr. Bach felt that physical illness can be caused by emotional upset and by fixing the emotional balance the physical illness disappeared.

Flower essences work to heal physical, mental and emotional illness. All of the aforementioned illnesses affect each other in one way or another. Therefore, flower essences restore the inner balance by working on the vital force. The vital force is an inner force within the body that governs our strength and well-being. As we get sick our vital force weakens and therefore, the flower essences work on our vital force to strengthen it. The particles of the essences work in specific patterns. This means that certain essences cure certain illnesses. Overall, flower essence are to said to release negative emotions and help heal and calm, using either internally or externally non toxic and have no side effects.

The remedy can be given by mouth, which is the most effective method. Only a few drops (4-8) are necessary, and need not be swallowed, but only must contact the mucous membranes (gums, tongue, lips). Be careful not to contaminate the dropper by touching it to the animal (if this occurs, rinse the dropper in very hot water before returning it to the bottle). You can also add a dropper full to the water dish, or a few drops on wet food (there is no effect of dilution). You can add a dropper full to a spray bottle filled with spring water, and use it to spray a room, carrier, car, around litter boxes or plants, or other problem areas. You can even put a few drops in your hand and pat the animal on the head and around the ears with it--the head is very sensitive to energy and will absorb the flower essences in this way. In the case of chewing or excessive licking or hot spots, you might want to try applying the remedy directly to the problem spot (IF it isn't too raw, otherwise the remedy will sting); the animal will then consume it when it next licks that area.

Just a few drops (4 - 8) at a time are sufficient. For serious or acute conditions the remedy can be given as often as needed, even every few minutes. For most behavioral problems, you can give 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks. If the response is reached by that time, you may begin to decrease the dosage gradually. You may need to add a dropper full to drinking water or give once a day long-term for some problems.

The Flower Essence remedies are non-toxic and have no side effects. Therefore, they are safe if another pet in your household should receive the flower essence via drinking water. With flower essences, if the animal needs the remedy, the remedy will work and vice versa.

The all natural diet is wonderful for over all health and is in this cause would not be the cause for your pets condition. I normally tell clients to switch to natural food but you have already done so which is wonderful. I think this condition is more anxiety based rather then an allergy. I recommend the healing process and Flower Essence therapy, I think you will see a big change.

I make two products to help heal cuts and scabs for pets. The first is called Yucky Cut and that is used more for open sores and infections. The second is called Heal Fast which is more for general healing and can be used if the area is inflammed. Both would work for your pets condition and has been used by many clients. Which one you chose is really based on the severity of the scab and how much the wound is exposed for chance of infection.

I hope this information has helped you and your pet. Feel free to contact me again if you have further questions or concerns.

If you would like information on natural and herbal remedies for human and animal concerns please contact me at wintersaurora@yahoo.com and I will be happy to assist you. I also offer a catalog of specially formulated herbal remedies, including the teo I mentioned above, which I can send to you as well.

Thank you and best wishes to you and your pet.

Sincerely,
Sharon Hubbs, AHG
Certified Natural Health Consultant & Herbalist