Spot is above wrist. Not inflamed, no discharge. Contacted primary vet for a referral. Also contacted her dental vet for a referral. Waiting for replies. The dental vet knows many people at U.of I. in Urbana, IL. He will probably have someone.

I am wondering if this could be a possible lick granuloma?
http://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/evr_dg_acral_lick_granuloma_a_dermatology_nightmare#.UFTKT42PVyU

Dogs can lick a spot for several reasons. One being from pain, or boredom. to name a few.
While you said it didn't appear wet or oozing, the fact that the same spot comes and goes, sounds familiar with acral lick granuloma, just another thought.
My female has had this twice and I was able to get it to fully heal by using several sessions of cold laser therapy.

I hope you'll let us know what you find out, Patricia.

Derm stuff is often challenging (as Joyce, Anne, Lori, and I .... and many others ... know).


Edited by Connie Sutherland (09/15/2012 03:01 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Good news (hope I'm not speaking too soon). She hasn't touched her leg all last night and all day today! And her primary vet plus her dental vet both got back to me with a referral for a derm vet -- they both recommended the same clinic. So I should be able to make an appointment to have her evaluated. In the meantime, I am praying she continues to leave it alone. Thank you all for your information and caring suggestions.

P.S. Joyce, your dogs are beautiful.

Good news times two!

Please keep us posted, and we will keep fingers crossed.

Anne,

What is the natual hydrocortisone prescribed by your holistic/chiro vet. ? I am fighting allergies for a long time now and doing shots. But he still need something else for the itching.

Thanks Geri

Geri, she has the caps made up at a compounding pharmacy. I have 30mg & 40mg caps. The capsules are veggie gel caps with the hydrocortisone loaded into them. I believe it is a plant based product by I may be confusing that with something else. I usually have my dog on 1 - 30mg cap 1x a day in the am. (before her meal) But I occasionally need to use the 40 mg or if a real flareup 2 - 30mg caps. Always given in the am. It is very effective & rarely do I ever have to use prednisone to control her allergies anymore. It works very well without all the negativies of using prednisone.

I have used a compounding pharmacy in the past for meds for my horse & you cannot get the meds without the vets Rx. It is not an OTC product.

I also use hydroxyzine 2 x daily for the itching.

If you are using desensitizing injections for your dog...you will need to discuss adding any other meds with the vet that is prescribing for your dog, as there may be drugs that are contra indicated based on meds/or other protocals that the dog is already on. I would be very careful using ANYTHING not okayed by your vet. JMO

 Quote: Geri Gill

Anne,

What is the natual hydrocortisone prescribed by your holistic/chiro vet. ? I am fighting allergies for a long time now and doing shots. But he still need something else for the itching.

Thanks Geri

Natural Hydrocortisone is bio-identical cortisone. The body makes cortisone, which is a hormone, just like it makes progesterone, etc. Using natural hydrocortisone is like like a woman using bio-identical progesterone - it's not a synthetic drug, but one that is molecularly identical to our own hormones. You still have to be very careful, and use natural hydrocortisone as sparingly as possible, and have regular blood tests to monitor how the liver is doing on it. And it is not OTC.

OOPS..I didn't quit answer Geri's question. Thanks for adding in.

My vet has said that it does NOT act on the body the same way that prednisone does. IOW it does not impead healing or cause any of the know 'issues' that prednisone does.

I think like any other 'protocal'...each animal is different & may respond differently to the same Rx.

Are we talking about something like Hydrocortone or Cortef?