I know I’m new here, but I’ve been dealing with a
“semi-serious” problem with my big girl for years. I’m always looking for new ideas to try
because nothing seems to work.
My Gypsy (6yrs, 115 lbs, lab mix- we think) has lick
granuloma. She has been thru every test
in the book, from allergies to thyroid and the problem has been determined as psychological. I’m looking for anything we haven’t tried yet
to treat the granulomas or to deter the problem. Here is what we have tried:
No fleas or other parasites.
She does have dry skin, but takes fish oil pills. Flakes are gone but not the licking.
She has drops from the vet that are anti-bacterial and
“foul” tasting. These do tend to speed the healing if I can block her from
licking with an ace bandage, sock, liquid skin; I’ve even used duct tape over
gauze. The moment I go to sleep off the
bandage comes. She goes into a complete
panic in an Elizabethan collar (not that I would want her living in one).
She has been on anti-depressants with no change. We tried 3 anti-anxiety meds but either she
slept constantly or there was little change in behavior. I’ve tried bitter apple, Yuck, and one or two
other sprays. The Yuck she licked while
I was spraying her leg. Flavor?
She will not play with the Buster Cube, Kong, or Kong
Wobbler. She will chew natural bone but
not with much interest. She is walked twice a day, with the evening
walk being the longest. I try to keep
her out about an hour, but she is usually done after about 30 minutes (turns
towards home). She goes to the dog park
on Saturdays and we do the 5k walk around the park. Basically, she wants to lay on the couch and
lick.
We got Tazzy as a playmate and it worked for a while. But she has lost interest in playing in the
yard with Tazzy, preferring to lay on the porch.
Fortunately Tazzy has no problem entertaining herself (and anyone who can
see the goof).
I know I’ve got to be missing something, but I don’t know
what. Her only real motivation is food, but
I don’t want her putting back on more weight.
She did slow down on the licking when she had food available at all
times but she put on 20 lbs. I’ve even
seen her lick in her sleep.
Anybody got any ideas? I'll take treatments for the sores or a new thought to keep her from starting new spots. I've given up on the idea that this can be "cured", just hoping someone has some other experiences.