Labrador's Licking Problem Could Lead To Amputation

[Knick]

My labrador will be 8 years old in May-very sweet, very friendly but has a problem licking his leg. The problem started with a small place in 2010 and has progressed over 3 years to a place raw on the front of his back leg from the behind his toes up to the bend in his leg. Yet, he happily hops around on 3 legs. However, it is to the point now that his leg may have to be amputated. The doctors warn that although this would stop this licking spot, he very likely will choose to lick another area.

Things we have tried: many topical meds for open wounds, various antibiotics, steroid pills and injections, various no chew sprays and bandages; we have tried bandaging the wound with meds applied, but he just chews it off within an hour; we have tried the cone collar, but he got that off in 30 minutes; we have tried the no licking healing collar from handicapped pets.com, but he just lifts his leg to his mouth; we have tried casting it with meds applied beneath as if it was broken-he chewed the cast off in 3 days, even with a muzzle on. (The muzzle would allow for drinking water only). We have tried antidepressant drugs to altar his behavior; we have tried scolding, and shame techniques, spending more time with him, putting cayanne pepper even, but he justs licks it off and drinks more water; we have taken him to the vet numerous occasions and keep his regular immunizations up to date; we have consulted with vets across the US. NOTHING WORKS. We are desperate to find out the cause and remedy. He chews through everything and the wound does not have a chance to heal. Apparently, he thinks that by licking it, he can get it to heal, but of course, he is just making it worse. The only material that he cannot chew through or even make teeth marks in--is a rubber type toy called a WUBBA. If only there was some type of apparatus that could be placed around the wound that he could not chew off and would promote healing--that would be the answer.

If you have any recommendations or website where an apparatus he could not chew may be found, please respond.
Thank You.

[critters]

I wonder if he's feeling something and if gabapentin would help?

[Knick]

Thank you for your suggestion. My vet has a list of all the meds that have been tried both topical and internal. I will share this one with him. I spoke with a vet from orthopets.com after I posted this problem here, and she suggested that he may have a nerve problem. This would be diagnosed by a neurologist and may possibly involve injections of stem cells--wow--complex and expensive. She said we needed to try to figure out why he is licking. That is also the problem. My local vet is going to do a wound biopsy to check for allergens and such things as mites. We will go from there. Thanks again. If anyone thinks of anything else to help, it would be greatly appreciated.

[CarolC]

I have several ideas but before I even list them I want to say I don't really think they will be effective, the gabapentin sounds like the best idea.

What you're talking about sounds like a lick granuloma.

http://www.dogleggs.com/granuloma/

There is a protective legging but from what you say, he may chew it off.

http://www.sylmardogwear.com/health.htm

Someone on this forum had a problem with their dog licking and chewing and they came up with a covering for the leg that worked perfectly. It was made of PVC pipe. The problem is, I can't find the message, and I feel pretty sure it is one of the messages that was lost in a software problem around 2006. All I can find is a message I wrote in which I referenced the message describing the protector, but I can't find the original message. Here is my reference, anyway:

http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/view ... pvc#p82234
http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/view ... PVC#p23411

EDIT: Found it! It was electrical conduit.
http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/view ... 290#p15291

As a totally off the wall idea, I suppose you could try one of the body compression shirts like Anxiety Wrap. As I said, I don't really think any of these ideas are the real answer, but it's an idea.

https://anxietywrap.com/About/howitworks.aspx

You might be able to get a proper leg covering made through a place like Orthopets.

http://www.orthopets.com/

Here are some foam leg protectors Joanne made for her dog Carl. What I'm thinking is perhaps you could make some foam ones like this, but apply a metal or PVC covering over them and fasten it on in the same way, with wrap around velcro. At least it would not cost much. You would take the PVC, cut it to length, then slice it the long way, fit the two parts onto his leg, and velcro it on over the foam protectors. If he chews off the velcro, maybe those little metal straps that are used to fasten hoses on an automobile engine would hold it on and not be so chewable. ( http://www.delcity.net/store/Standard-H ... 7AodLkEAVA )

http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/view ... 515#p75510

More braces
http://www.animalrehab.on.ca/braces/braces.php

Yuk-2-e (you've probably tried it)
http://www.vetdepot.com/yuk-2e-anti-lic ... -5-oz.html

Bitter apple plus Liquid Heet

◦Bitter Apple and Liquid HeetTM (obtain this from a drugstore...it is used for sore muscles) mixed in a 2:1 ratio can be applied around the skin incision

[critters]

Good ideas, Carol.

[Knick]

Carol,
I have studied all the ideas you so generously posted, and my favorite is the dogleggs. It seems the Hock Sock is what I need, and then constuct the PVC pipe around it with the metal connection you suggested. From the testimonials I read, that sounds like it may be worth a try. My vet has diagnosed Knick with a Lick Granuloma. He is scheduled for a biopsy tomorrow, just to rule out mites or any allergans. May also try the Gabapentin as well that was also suggested.

I am encouraged by all the help I have received from this discussion opportunity. Thank you both for the time you invested in helping me with my problem. This could be the turning point away from amputation.

I will post an update in the future as to how everything progressed.

[CarolC]

I confess I left the hock sock off my list because I overlooked it, so I am extra glad you found it on your own.