Acral Dermatitis In Dogs

Animals that compulsively lick their bodies in a certain area. This is the main characteristic of acral dermatitis in dogs. The area is usually on the paws, and they lick each other until sores are created.

The action of non-stop licking causes the animal’s skin to inflame. Progressively, the affected area may harden. The hair follicles and the apocrine glands (responsible for sweating) split. Bacterial infections may also appear.

The treatment for this disease is, in general, very time-consuming and uncomfortable, both for the animal and for its owners. However, once the diagnosis is confirmed, the treatment must be carried out until the end.

Symptoms and factors causing the disease

The main symptom of acral dermatitis in dogs is that the animal is licking itself compulsively and relentlessly. In some cases, the action with the tongue is complemented by nibbles of medium and great intensity.

The appearance of sores can be visible in short periods of time (just hours). It is also possible that it takes several weeks from the time the animal gets into the habit of licking itself until the first lesions appear.

This disease has several origins:

• They can be caused by allergies to environmental factors or the ingestion of some foods;
• bacteria, fungi, parasites or mites acting on the skin layers;
• bite of some insects;
• trauma to the joints (fractures), which are usually accompanied by a lot of pain;
• onset of arthritis;
• in some cases, it can demonstrate the manifestation of a cancer;
• hormonal disorder;
• psychological factors such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in dogs;
• stress, upset or anxiety;
• stereotype (repeated actions by some needy and bored animals. Dogs confined in confined spaces or in shelters are more likely to suffer from this disorder).

Races and genetic issues

So far, it has not been possible to establish in a conclusive way the relationship between genetic factors and the appearance of acral dermatitis in dogs. However, statistically, some breeds are more likely to suffer from this problem.

Most affected dogs are of large breeds:

• German Shepherd
• Golden retriever
• spanish mastiff
• Great Dane
• labrador retriever
• Doberman Pinscher

Diagnosis and treatments

The vast majority of affected pet owners decide to see a veterinarian when the disease is advanced. This makes the specialist’s work very difficult. Not only to establish the diagnosis, but also when defining the treatment to be done.

When a doctor first assesses an animal with obvious wounds, he cannot determine the order of appearance of symptoms. It is necessary to find out if the licking started as a consequence of some wounds or the other way around.

To avoid unnecessary complications, owners who find their dogs compulsively licking themselves should immediately take them to the veterinarian’s office. The same applies to anyone who notices the animals’ legs are constantly wet.

As the cases of acral dermatitis in dogs are caused by several factors, the measures can vary. Before being able to prescribe a treatment, the specialist needs to know exactly what caused the adverse condition.

Symptom Control

At first, the symptoms are attacked: the dog must be prevented from licking itself so that the wounds can heal. For this, you can use the Elizabethan collar so that the dog is not able to reach the affected areas. A dressing can also be applied to protect the injury. But the only way to correct the root of this behavior is to completely eliminate the causative factor, be it physical, environmental or psychological.

When the picture of acral dermatitis in dogs is confirmed, other specialists are needed. Ideally, at least one veterinary dermatologist and one canine ethnologist should supervise the patient’s evolution.

How to prevent Acral Dermatitis in Dogs

All dogs and their owners must follow the strictest hygiene and cleanliness standards. It is essential to reduce the incidence of bacteria, fungi, mites or parasites. It is also important to avoid stress and sudden changes in pets’ routines.

Breeds like the Golden Retriever and the Boxer require a lot of physical exercise to release all the energy they have in store. Otherwise, not only will they get upset, but they will also become extremely anxious.

Other breeds, such as the German Shepherd, don’t just require walking, running and jumping. They also need mind games to relax and get away from the monotony.