This is a serious question...

[jschut]

Ok Folks~ Here goes and please don't laugh!

I have a Dalmation who is about 9 y/o. She's a pretty big girl, and I can tell her hips are starting to give her some pain. But there's one thing I have noticed...

She is licking her front left paw until it bleeds! There is no fur or skin left on it! She just keeps on and on. My husband and I bandage it with medicine, but by morning, she has torn the bandage off. We pour peroxide on it nightly, but as soon as we let her go (and she's not easy to hold on to), she's back to licking it.

Is it a nervous condition? What can I do for her? I know it's awful, but we can't afford to take her to the vet without me working right now...

Any ideas? I'd appreciate it.

Thanks everyone!

Julie:)

[jschut, BSN, RN]

Thank you all so very much! Haven't tried anything new yet, just got home and was checking mail. But there sure are some great ideas in here!

As far as fleas though, nope... we have 3 dogs and they're all on monthly medication for it! Couldn't stand fleas in the house!:)

Thank you all again!

Julie:)

[rdhdnrs]

My rat terrier was doing the identical thing; it was allergies. Was on Prednisone and anitbiotics and now special shampoo. Benadryl does help, too, and hydroxozine. Good luck.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

My mom's poodle did that.

It was a combo allergy/obsessive-compulsive thing.

Yes, animals can have psych issues too I suppose.

Maybe some doggie atarax and prozac?

Good luck!

[prmenrs, RN]

I don't have a dog, but I have heard that food allergies can cause this licking thing. Try changing food brands?

hope it gets better soon!!

[tlt]

Our lab/setter mix had the same thing. The vet called it a "lick granuloma" and gave him antibiotics, a cortisone shot and some antibiotic spray. Also, to keep him from bothering it while it healed here's what we did...after we put the spray on we put an old sock on his foot and secured it with white cloth tape. It stuck pretty good and he wasn't able to pull it off.

The vet told us it was a psychological problem (boy did that make us feel like failed parents!) and that if he continued to do it we could either put him on puppy Prozac or get him a companion. That was almost 2 years ago and it hasn't come back.

Just a few more tips for you.