Friend's Boxer keeps licking wounded area and making it worse. Any suggestions?

Question

Duke is on an anti-biotic and pain medication and also has a cone but is still able to get to the wound on his paw. The licking is making it worse since the wound cannot heal and when it does scab it gets itchy and he goes right back to the licking.
My friend has tried bag balm, bitter apple, soaking and putting his paw in a sock. Is there anything else that she can try for Duke?
Thanks!

Answer 1

Duke needs a bigger cone. Which means that Duke will probably have to go back to the vet for a quick checkup.

Boxers have allergies and skin problems far too commonly. So don't put anything on it, unless directed to by the vet. You could actually make the problem worse. Plus, they're just very sensitive, and they can be more 'obsessive' about wounds than other dogs, poor guys.

Answer 2

This is called a lick granuloma. It is not just a physiological condition, it has a behavioral link. Basically the dog is obsessive-compulsive about licking the area and basically they just lick the skin off, keeping it moist and making it worse and worse.

SOOOOO many different treatments have been tried for this problem and I don't think anybody has one treatment that works for every situation.

A lot of times they start with some real irritation like a big bite or sting, a splinter or sticker in the foot, arthritis (they try to lick the joint to make it feel better but then it starts the skin problem) or other bone condition... or something else.

Something that hasn't been tried but might help is cortisone injections in the foot to reduce the inflammation (the dog will still need to keep a sock or other covering on it to prevent more licking while it heals) or ablation with a laser to kill the nerve endings in that area and stop the pain/irritation. A heavy duty sock taped around the dog's foot, close observation, and DISTRACTION are the key elements to getting it to heal. If she's too preoccupied to lick her foot it will get better. She needs more exercise and more stimulating activities (training) and fun toys like Kongs with peanut butter.

Have fun!

Answer 3

Your friend should try either vet wrap which may or may not work since the sock didn't or liquid bandage. She may also want to try giving benedryl to relieve some of the itching which may help keep him from wanting to lick it.
A deeper cone may be the answer but those darned things are so stressful on the dogs. A Bite Not collar works well for wounds but probably won't work if this wound is on a front paw.

Answer 4

I know this sounds funny but wrap just above the joint of the boxers injured paw and put a small e- collar facing down ward to cover his paw and he will not be able to get to it. Make sure he keeps his cone (e-collar) on his head on too.

What you do is, take some cotton wrap (super thick and soft cotton wrap will pad his leg to help prevent cutting of blood circulation), and wrap it around his injured paw leg about 1" or 1/2" about the joint (that way it will not significantly effect is mobility of that leg). Then go over the cotton wrap with vetwrap ( its self adhesive and strechie so its less likely to cut off blood circulation) and go super thick - make sure you cover the cotton wrap completely so the vet wrap is touching the fur (so it will stick better) and that you can slip you finger snuggly in. Then put an xtra small or small e-collar with the big part of the cone going downward(can be purchased at the vets or pet stores) and put it on the leg above the wrap(to help prevent it from slipping down the leg (make sure the e- collar isn't too tight or cutting off circulation) It will look like a boot, and it should barely be skimming the the floor and cover the paw completely.

MAKE SURE, when ever you wrap an animals limbs that you observe the area below the wap. If the collor has changed, its cold or the animal will not move it (its limp) make sure your wrap isnt too tight. If the wrap is too tight and you dont catch it in time your pet will loose his leg or what was below the wrap. Its cutting off the vital blood supply with oxegen rich blood to the extremity below the wrap and starve it, ultimately causing death to the tissues below the wrap.... they will not come back....

Just an important note

I had to do this method ( I called it the double lamp shade) on my boxer when he was younger when he tore out his toe nail and it had gotten really infected. It worked great.

Answer 5

Try to wrap it in Vet Wrap....you can get it at a feed store, Tractor Supply Co., and probably even Petsmart. It's the same material they wrap your arm in after you have blood drawn. Apply his medication, put gauze or another soft, clean material over it and then wrap it up with this vet wrap. Don't make it too tight....he'll need circulation, but it will be much more sturdy than a sock. And he won't be able to bother it. Plus it come in some really cute colors. Give him some love and tell him get well soon!!

Answer 6

Get a bigger cone and some bitter apple spray. It doesn't irritate the wound (I've used it on my Golden) and it doesn't interfere with the medication.

It has a nasty taste that will deter him from licking.

Good Luck

Answer 7

My vet sold me a product called "Variton" cream when one of my dogs had a wound that she wouldn't leave alone. Dogs don't like the taste of it and this cream kept her from licking.

Answer 8

they have a self sticking gauze that you can wrap it in and then squeeze it after its on and it hardens like a cast. good luck

Answer 9

Why don't you call your own vet and get the real scoop on what to do?

Answer 10

try wrapping it, good luck!!