Evcvet, have a question for you. My old lab has developed a bump on the wrist of his right front paw. It is raised about 1/4 inch and has all the hair rubbed off the bump is about the size of a fingernail. It does not seem to bother him though I did see him licking it yesterday after I discovered it. Should I be concerned about it? Is there anything I can do ie lance it etc?

Dear DrGildy; A picture is worth a thousand words. Without seeing it , Is the skin thickened, any discharge, any other lesions, how long has it been there? How old is the dog? From your description, if it just involves the dermis and there is no swelling of the limb, and the dog is licking it, we may have a lick granoloma and early on you can use topical antibiotic/steriod preparation and bandage the leg from above the sore to the paw. Treat like this to discourage licking the wound for 2 weeks changing bandage every 2 to 3 days, if no improvement, see your vet. If the raised area is soft, look for drainage site, may be from puncture, foreign body like grass awn and require treatment by your vet.

Edited by - evcvet on 09/02/2002 23:59:14

Thanks for the reply Evcvet. The skin is thick, there does not appear to be any type of discharge the dog is licking it and that is what is strange it does not appear to be sore when I mess with it. The dog is 9 years old and the lesion has been there (about a week now). I did try putting a bandage on it and he takes them off as fast as I put them on.

DrGildy' This sounds a lot like an acral lick granuloma. I have done well with putting these dogs on Keflex(antibiotic orally), and hydrocodon(antitussive dose). These lesions will become chronic if not treated initially. If avoidance with bandaging won't work I think you will need to talk with your vet. Acral lick granulomas are a common problem with Labs and increasing his exercise and keeping him occupied are also helpful. Staph (bacterial) infections areassociated with lesions, so I recommend starting Cephalexin. The hydrocodone may be added at its cough suppressant dose to discourage licking. Ill be at veterinary conference and away from computer for 5 days, but let me know how he/she does.

Thanks Evcvet! I went to my vet told her what you had written and she looked at it concurred with your diagnosis and started Duke on Keflex and cephalexin said to bring him back in a week. Thanks again.