Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 11/14/2009

Question
Our dog is 4 years old (no prior health problems), and recently she has started licking her front right leg (inner elbow) to the point where she's licked it bald. It doesn't seem to bug her when we touch the area, but she won't stop licking it!

Answer
This is called a lick granuloma.  IT is an obsessive-compulsive disorder that may require something like prozac.  It feels so good to the dog to lick this area, that he will get a hormone release (endorphins) to make him feel high.  This is a problem inside the brain usually and not on the skin.