Dogs
Dogleggs Lick Granuloma Treatment Recommendation
(Information is courtesy of DogLeggs, LLC)
Lick Granuloma
Lick granuloma, a condition where an animal habitually licks a place on their body and causes an
irritation that can be as mild as a reddened “hot spot” to a severe open mutilation wound. This
problem is a common one that dog owners and canine care givers deal with. There are many
possible causes for a Lick granuloma, but nutritional, and psychological issues are often at the
root.
DogLeggs recommends a three-facet approach for the successful treatment of lick granuloma.
Each one of these facets is critical for success, but if any one of the three parts is not addressed
the chances of a successful outcome are much lower.
• Coverage of affected area
• Redirect the dog’s oral drive
• Address the psychological issues
DogLeggs’ products have shown to be a very effective coverage solution for breaking the licking
and chewing habit that leads to lick granulomas. Although the reason for this effectiveness has
yet to be totally understood, it is believed that the materials that are used to make DogLeggs’
products soothe the “hot spot,” protect and aid in healing and provide a bio-feedback to break the
licking/chewing cycle. The natural fit and comfort of the DogLeggs’ products are essential,
because the solution cannot add discomfort.
Coverage of the site without addressing oral drive and associated behaviors, does not solve the
underlying causes that lead to the elevation of the situation to a full case of lick granuloma.
This paper will discuss the contributions of oral drive and instinctual behavior that result in a dog
injuring itself through continual licking and chewing on an area of its body.
Oral Drive
Dogs are by nature oral. Just think of the difference in response to a bee sting or mosquito bite
between humans and dogs. Humans instinctively use their hands and swat at the area, while dogs
will use their mouths to bite and lick the area. The use of a paw to scratch an area is usually
secondary and often only when the area is not accessible to the mouth. A common human
response to stress or boredom is picking at their nails and bumps on their arms and legs while the
equivalent in dogs is the use of the mouth for licking and chewing. The oral drive also shows up
in more positive situations. Many dogs when they are positively excited such as the return of a
family member or indications that it is play-time, have to find something to carry in their mouths
such as a bone, ball or other toy.
Once licking has developed as a coping mechanism, the habitual licking can lead to skin irritation
and in worse cases mutilation.
The oral drive is hardwired and a habitual licking cycle has two sensory parts, the sensation at the
“hot spot” being licked and the sensation at the mouth and tongue. Even when we cure the need
for sensation at the “hot spot” we must still give the mouth acceptable/ appropriate stimulation
when needed for stress relief.
Redirection of the drive by offering appropriate and acceptable chewing and licking outlets i.e.
Nylabone GumBone, Everlasting Treat Balls, Kongs with cheese or p-nut butter or liverwurst in
them (all of these can go into the dishwasher for cleaning), BusterCubes, with high value treats in them,
to name a few.
Instinctual breed specific behavior
Take a moment and think carefully about a few things:
• What is the job your dog was bred to do?
• How often does he/she get to do it?
• When did the licking begin?
Most dogs no longer have any other job other than being the family pet, lying around each day
waiting for interaction with their family. Those bred to hunt (Labrador Retrievers, Weimeraners,
Springer Spaniels, etc.) do not hunt, those bred to herd (Border Collies, Australian Shepherds,
etc) no longer tend livestock; those bred to work and protect (German Shepherds, Dobermans,
Rottweilers) do not have those jobs. Even if you include the daily defense of your castle against
the mailman, you can see that the drives so prized and carefully engineered to create the specific
breeds are not utilized, the breeds are chosen for their looks, not their bred in abilities. While you
may think that it would be great to be your dog, laying around doing nothing, your dog most
probably is anxiously waiting to do the job he is in essence “hardwired” to do. His day provides
him no mental or physical stimulation for the activities that hundreds of years of breeding have
made him crave.
There are other instinctual behaviors that need to be considered, even if your dog is getting to do
their natural job. As you most probably know, dogs are highly social pack animals. Have the pack
dynamics of your home changed, causing stress to your dog?
• Additions to the pack? New baby, pet or spouse.
• Deletions from the pack? Has a person or other animal left such as a death, child going
to college, divorce…
• Has the pack been relocated? New home or even remodeling?
Any one or combination of these issues can result in mindless licking and chewing to fill the time
and release stress.
A routine of mental and physical exercise and life enriching stimulation can enhance the
relationship with their owner as well as lessen and in many cases eliminate the dog’s need for
habitual licking and chewing. There will still be times of occasional stress or excitement when
your dog will need oral stimulation, but with proper redirection they will have an appropriate
outlet.
Non-breed Specific Mental Activities
Just like the body of a dog requires regular exercise to stay healthy, the brain of any dog, full bred
or mutt, requires mental exercise. There are some mental activities that are useful for all dogs
regardless of size, age or breed.
One simple activity that an owner may already be doing that can be expanded to satisfy a dog’s
mental exercise is the regularly scheduled walk. The first thing to remember is that certain
behaviors such as tracking (following a sent on the ground or in the air) is a complex mental task.
Many owners do not allow their dog the time and liberty on the leash that they need for this
activity, often hurrying the dog along to get “their business done”. In addition to allowing
tracking on the regular walk, changes to the routine such as taking the walk backwards or going
on a new path or differing the time can be very effective mental stimulation.
You don’t even need to leave your home to challenge a dog’s mind. A form of Hide and Seek can
be done in the house. Hide small high value treats or small pieces of kibble/dry food or favorite
toys in various places around the house. Change the location regularly so that the dog has to
utilize its senses to find the reward. This game can be done when you are home or prepared
ahead of time so that he has the activity once you leave. Of course hide and seek can be played
outside such as throwing a handful of dry food out in the yard, then give the new command “find
it” creates a new life enriching exercise. The key to this experience is varying the location of the
hidden treasures so the dog does not just go right to where it was last time.
Just like we have learned that playing with toys can be educational for our children, certain dog
toys can be useful to provide mental stimulation. Simply rotating the selection of available toys
can be effective or adding a new mentally challenging toy such as a Buster cube, Kong or Planet
play is helpful.
Oral Input
We recommend incorporating as part of the treatment of a lick granuloma, Tellington Touch on
and around the lick granuloma , Mouth TTouch and if possible, full body work.
Tellington Touch is an innovative method of training and healthcare that provides solid, practical
solutions for challenges common among dogs, cats, and other animals. Tellington Touch is based
on a set of particular circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body. Tellington
Touch can be done anywhere on the entire body, and each specific touch is a complete
therapeutic unit. This treatment is successful in speeding up the healing of injuries or ailments, or
changing undesirable habits or behavior.
Using a combination of specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises, Tellington Touch helps
to release tension and increase body awareness; this allows the animal to be handled without
provoking typical fear responses. The animal can then more easily learn new and more
appropriate behaviors. By using Tellington Touch and a variety of other tools, like the
Confidence Course, you can assist the animal in experiencing self-confidence in previously
frightening situations. Even the most difficult problems are often eliminated. You can also learn
how to apply Tellington Touch to assist with recovery from illness or injury, or just enhance the
quality of your animal’s life. This gentle method is currently being used by animal owners,
trainers, breeders, veterinarians, zoo personnel, shelter workers, Olympic teams and universities
in over 30 countries.
Tellington Touch on the lips and in the mouth activates the limbic system–the part of the brain
that controls emotion, and is the center of learning. The Mouth TTouch is thus helpful for all
dogs, but especially for those that suffer from excessive licking, chewing, fear, stress,
nervousness and hyperactivity.
On the Lips – With one hand under the muzzle, perform light Circular TTouches on the outside
of the dog’s lips.
On the Gums– Gently push your thumb under the lip and use the Circular TTouches on the
gums of upper and lower jaw.
Work both sides of the mouth. Many animals are concerned at first and may not like you fingers
in their mouths. If you quietly persevere over several short sessions, most animals become
accepting and enjoy this TTouch.
Tellington Touch for the lick granuloma site –
The Raccoon TTouch is for injured, swollen or sensitive areas of the body. The small light circles
called the Raccoon Touch are useful for reducing any swelling or soreness. You can reduce pain
in a short period of time if you apply the lightest possible pressure. Moreover, with the Raccoon
Touch you can speed up the healing process and bring awareness to the affected area of the body.
How To–Bend the tips of your fingers at a 90 degree angle and move the skin in a tiny one and
a quarter circle. This TTouch is done with very light pressure. Make slow, tiny circles with the
tips of the fingers using light pressure. Your fingernails should be short enough to allow you to
use the fingertips and not have nails come in contact with the area being worked.
Using the Raccoon TTouch work around the margins of the lick granuloma and then toward the
center in circles, if the dog brings his head toward your hand as you are working around the lick
granuloma, do not correct him/her, instead, stroke the dog’s lips with a medium pressure, from
nose toward ears once or twice, help him/her lay down by gently placing a hand on its neck and
pushing gently, return to applying the Raccoon Touch around the lick granuloma.
