Nasty Tasting Stuff To Stop Licking Needed

[Stitch]

One of my girls was repeatedly licking a spot and caused the skin to wear away.

She has had an elizabethan collar on now for 2 weeks and the area has generally healed up however when I took the collar off she went back to licking it a bit.

I think it has developed into a little bit of a habit so I wanted to paint something that was nasty tasting but safe onto the area to make it not so enjoyable.

Anyone know of anything that would work but be safe for her to ingest??

[missmoo]

try tea tree spray...(pure)

I did this with my brother's dog who would constantly lick her paws...works a treat

Edited August 2, 2010 by missmoo

[Dr Don]

One of my girls was repeatedly licking a spot and caused the skin to wear away.

She has had an elizabethan collar on now for 2 weeks and the area has generally healed up however when I took the collar off she went back to licking it a bit.

I think it has developed into a little bit of a habit so I wanted to paint something that was nasty tasting but safe onto the area to make it not so enjoyable.

Anyone know of anything that would work but be safe for her to ingest??

There are a few products on the market that may stop the licking but it is better to find a reason why the licking has started-especially since it restarted once E collar was removed. It is also important to know the area where the dog is licking as to a possible diagnosis.

[oakway]

What ever you don't use tea tree oil.

It has been know to have very adverse effect on some dogs.

Try aeroguard. This is well proven with dogs in especially in Queensland for stopping green ants biting.

Also great to stop licking.

[stormie]

One of my girls was repeatedly licking a spot and caused the skin to wear away.

She has had an elizabethan collar on now for 2 weeks and the area has generally healed up however when I took the collar off she went back to licking it a bit.

I think it has developed into a little bit of a habit so I wanted to paint something that was nasty tasting but safe onto the area to make it not so enjoyable.

Anyone know of anything that would work but be safe for her to ingest??

There are a few products on the market that may stop the licking but it is better to find a reason why the licking has started-especially since it restarted once E collar was removed. It is also important to know the area where the dog is licking as to a possible diagnosis.

+1

Dogs often lick areas around joints if they are a bit sore. Then it becomes a cycle.

I personally use a cream like Neocort/Neotopic that has anti inflamm, antibiotic properties with a bit of local anaesthetic in it. Increases heeling time and reduces the discomfort they are feeling in the area.

[OSoSwift]

You can get a dog specific product call wound guard. I would try something like that. I would not use tea tree or Eucalypts oils. When concentraed they can be very toxic

[Nekhbet]

vicks vapour rub, unless its an open wound. Something stinky will do the job

[poodlefan]

Bitter apple spray works well.

Tea tree oil is toxic to dogs in concentrated form. I would be reluctant to use any oil that may be absorbed by the skin or that goes through the coat.

[Stitch]

Thanks for your replies.

I can remember a product called 'bitter aloes'.

Does anyone know if that would be OK for dogs?

Oh and, I have taken her to the vet twice for this - I must say the vet wasn't that interested and said just to put the cortisone cream on it.

Of course the dog licked it straight off, to the point that it made an open wound.

It was my decision to put the 'cone of shame' on her - if I hadn't it wouldn't have healed at all.

I applied antibiotic cream (which I had) onto it and it gradually scabbed over.

Now there are no scabs but she is still showing some interest in the spot and I don't want to take the risk of her breaking the skin again so I have put the collar back on again.

This collar thing can't go on forever though poor thing - I might have to take her back to the vet again BUT.....

Every vet visit costs about $65-$85 and it seems like I can do a better job of fixing the problem than the vet did! sigh!!