Читать книгу Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff - Группа авторов - Страница 130

Acral lick dermatitis (ALD), also sometimes referred to as acral lick granuloma, is primarily a dermatological syndrome that is a result of self‐trauma. While some individuals may begin licking a leg to excess due to anxiety, frustration, or conflict, studies have found that many other underlying causes for these lesions are possible (Denerolle et al. 2007). Pruritus due to allergies, orthopedic pain, trauma, neoplasia, bacterial pyoderma, and fungal infections are just a few possibilities.

Once a dog begins to lick and causes an open lesion, the dog will continue to lick it, no matter the original cause. When presented with a patient with ALD, a complete medical workup aimed at identifying the underlying cause is ideal. Long‐term treatment with appropriate antibiotics will almost always be required. Treatment may also include ancillary medications to break the itch‐scratch cycle (e.g., glucocorticoids, antihistamines). Physically preventing the dog from licking the lesion may be necessary to ensure resolution. This may be accomplished with the use of e‐collars, bandages, socks, body suits, or leggings, depending on what the individual patient tolerates.

Once the lesion is completely healed, attention will need to be paid to the patient to determine if they continue to lick at the legs. In the experience of these authors, ALD is rarely a primary behavioral problem. If that is suspected, then the patient needs to be fully evaluated for other signs of fears or anxieties, such as noise sensitivities or phobias, barrier frustration, or separation anxiety, as it is unlikely that ALD would exist as a primary behavioral problem without one of these comorbid conditions. Grooming is a common displacement behavior, and the dog who is anxious about the strange sights, sounds, and smells of the shelter, as well as the sudden change in its living arrangement and separation from familiar people, may be inclined to exhibit displacement grooming to the extent that it develops or worsens an existing ALD.