how to keep Lab from licking wound

Gizmo Man · 01-30-2003, 10:03 PM

Need some help here.

Giz my dog (yeah, I'm a dog too :smile: ) cut the top part of his rear paw on the top.

This happened two weeks ago. Although the original cut has now closed, he continues to lick the wound and now has most of the top of the paw down to raw meat...

I have tried putting it in a boot and he tears it off.

I have treated it with hydrogen Proxide and polysporin.

Any help with how to keep him from licking and to get it to heal.

Thanks.

Giz... the 2 legged one...

1pump · 01-30-2003, 10:44 PM

Maybe an E-collar, aka Elizabethan collar. If it's the right size and put on properly, he might not be able to get his paw inside of it to lick it. Just a thought. A paw's a tough one.
I suppose a last resort is to have your vet wrap it with some kind of cast that your dog can't penetrate. :whazzup:

Bobberologist · 01-30-2003, 10:55 PM

Yes as 1pump stated an e-collar. It can be purchased at your local vet.

I have also cleaned and disinfected and dry the area and use superglue on the cut. But make sure you clean and disinfect first.

01-31-2003, 05:51 AM

Get a lamp shade (e-collar) and stop using Hydrogen Peroxide. We used it for a sore Tulley had and the vet said it shoud not be used on dogs.

No Wishin Just Fishin · 01-31-2003, 06:30 AM

There are a number of bitter sprays at Petco One is sour apple disinfectant. Always worked on my Labs they don't lick because the taste is terrible. Also NO HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Lured In · 01-31-2003, 07:28 AM

Giz just a quick question...

Did you have the vet look at the cut? The reason I ask is that, although not terribly common, fox tails and other splinters can cause this type of behavior.

While duck hunting this year, my pup picked up one and was licking/ etc. After two days the fox tail came through the top of her foot. Most of the other cuts and such she has had on her paws, she just licked, but that one she chewed constantly. Not trying to get you worried, but it might be worth checking out.

Is he limping on it or anything?

Rauly · 01-31-2003, 09:11 AM

Giz (2 legger)
As LI mentioned maybe a trip to the Vet. If not get a lamp shade from the Vet. and watch the wound for infection till healed.

Rauly (2 legger)

Giz (4 legger)
Woof...woof...woof...wooof....Grrrr.....Wooof

Rauly (4 legger)

Beaver93 · 01-31-2003, 04:47 PM

This same thing happened with my cousin's dog.

I'd say your dog's problem is behavioral, and not medical.

When the dog got the cut it felt relief by licking the wound. Somewhere in the dog's head, he has associated licking the spot with a sense of satisfaction or relief. You should look into ways to extinguish this behavior through some sort of negative reinforcement. However, you can't be with the dog 24/7. An elizabethan collar may be the answer. IF your vet cannot help you, you might consider a trainer. If you need a name, I know a great lady who would love to help.

Corey

Gizmo Man · 01-31-2003, 05:27 PM

Thanks for all the help you guys....

When I was out looking at the EFork Lewis, stopped by Centrex and got some goodies for him to try.

I bought the clear E colllar and some herbal Solution by Schreiners. The folks there said they use it on themselves... (YEP). It is suppose to help healing and is for "hot spots".

The original injury happened about 2 weeks ago in my back yard. Left him out for a few hours and when I got home he had this cut about a 1/4" by 1/4". Just plain looked like he got his foot caught in something that sliced it. Well I left that alone and he started licking it. In the process of licking he has taken most of the fur and skin down to raw over most of the top of the paw.

I have tried wrapping it, but he takes and eats the bandages (yep) and tape so I wont put them back on.

It has gotten pretty bad.

Why is Hydrogin Proxide not good? He lickes the stuff off the floor (the overspill)?

Anyway, I will see how the E collar works and if it does not get any better he goes to the vet.

Giz...and Giz... woof woof (Thank you in dog talk.. :smile:

wetaline · 02-01-2003, 02:22 PM

to keep my dog from licking wounds - I use this bitter spray made for that exact purpose... got it from my vet after a small surgery on leg puncture wound..... they hate the taste....

also if in a pinch.. rub chew (i.e. kodiak, copenhagen etc.... ) on the outside of their bandage etc.... they hate that stuff too.

Gobbaworms · 02-01-2003, 09:11 PM

Over the counter hydrogen peroxide (3%) is pretty safe. It just makes dogs and cats vomit.
Technically, it is toxic, but not in the concentrations OTC. People bathe their dogs in it to get skunk spray off, so I don't see why you can't use it on a wound.

The other danger is it releases so much oxygen. Ingesting it straight out of the bottle (or not fully reacted) could cause breathing problems.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not a vet or doctor. Just expressing my opinions.

02-02-2003, 07:04 AM

Gobbaworms-

"The other danger is it releases so much oxygen. Ingesting it straight out of the bottle (or not fully reacted) could cause breathing problems"

Huh? I would like to read about that if you could give me a source.

Most vets recommend having a bottle around in case you dog comsumes somthing toxic.

Gizmo man. You dog licks up the drips now, but I can gaurentee That if he ate a bunch of chocolate followed by a half bottle of .03% h2o2 that you would buy over the counter it would never touch the stuff again...NOT 3% Gobbaworms mentioned That would probably kill it.

I believe the problem with using it on cuts is that it is too harsh for a dogs skin and with repeated exposure the skin could dry out and crack giving you more problems.

Ill follow up with my vet to make sure on Monday. Tulley should be getting her cast off Monday so yet ANOTHER visit man..we have been there every week for the last 6 weeks.

O k Im rambling so in short.
I have invested large amounts of time and money into my dog. Tulley broke her leg on Christmas and then a ulcerated sore 2 weeks later from the cast. This is on top of training, food, regular shots and check ups and oh ya initial cost, Plus I love that stupid dog, So i dont mess around if she needs somthing.

Gizmo man if your dog has licked its foot until it is raw meat like you said take it to the vet, it will save you time and money in the long run.

Gobbaworms · 02-02-2003, 08:57 AM

Tulley,

Keta is the one usually catching me being so brief.

Here's what I found after you asked for a reference.

Hydrogen Peroxide-Case Report

There is a Discussion section about halfway down that is interesting.

For those you don't want to read the whole thing:

"Hydrogen peroxide is a clear, colorless, odorless, oxidizing liquid. The 1% solution has a pH of 5-6.5. When it contacts organic tissue containing catalase, it is degraded to oxygen and water in an exothermic reaction. For every one ml of 3% H2O2, ten ml of oxygen is produced. This amount greatly increases, up to 115 ml, with more concentrated solutions. H2O2 is available over the counter in 3% concentration, but a 35% solution can be obtained in health food stores."

In other portions, they mention symptoms as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, seizures, and chest pain, respitory arrest and esophageal injury.

Here is a dog specific exerpt:

"There has been laboratory evidence of esophageal tissue injury in dogs when denture cleanser containing H2O2 was applied directly to the tissue, however, in our literature review only two clinical cases of mild esophageal erythema were reported after H2O2 ingestion. In one of these cases, only the lower esophageal sphincter was involved."

So I guess the bottom line is, don't put unreacted H2O2 in your dogs mouth. Once it stops foaming on you dogs foot, it has turned into water.

Hope this helps [img]graemlins/program.gif[/img]