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My dog constantly licks her leg raw. What should I do or see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Female | spayed | 11 years and 1 month old | 12 lbs

My dog is constantly biting and licking her leg to the point where it became like this. I'm not sure if there is something I can do for it or if I should just take her to the vet.

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on August 25th, 2017

Hi there! Thanks for using PerCoach! If this is the only place she has been licking, this is likely a lick granuloma in the early stages. This is basically a skin wound that is created by self-trauma. It will take a full examination by a veterinarian to rule out other things though this seems the most likely.

Tha main thing is finding out what is triggering this. Sometimes it is behavioral or due to stress and sometimes it is medical in nature such as due to allergies. I recommend that you have Jackie evaluated by your veterinarian to confirm this and to start management for it which often times involves placing an e-collar to avoid more self-trauma, start therapy for the possible inciting cause like allergies, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. In the meantime, you could consider getting an e-collar to avoid self-trauma while you have her evaluated. Good luck!

11Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 8th, 2021
It looks like she is starting to get a skin infection. Licking of the paws is a classic sign of allergies so that may be the cause of her licking. You could soak her paw in a warm Epsom salt solution for 5 minutes twice a day and see if that helps but she may need an antibiotic and other medications to help treat her skin and control any allergies.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on September 2nd, 2017
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem.
Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking.

Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on September 10th, 2019
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection some skin tests like skin scrapes and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem.
Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any).
Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 10th, 2016
Older dogs often get what we call lick granuloma's, which are raised swellings on the skin that have a callus like texture. Pets often lick these areas constantly which can cause ulcers (openings) and infection. The best treatment for these is to treat medically (i.e. Doxepin-anti-lick) and then do wound management with the skin lesion (i.e. antiseptic cleansing + topical antibiotics +/- oral antibiotics). It is best you place an e-collar on her to prevent her from licking it further until you can get her in to the vet for the proper treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

My dog keeps licking his leg. Is it obsessive or a lick granuloma?

Hi, from your picture it appears your dog is getting an lick granuloma. It will help to use hair clippers and trim the hair around the area to look for sores and redness. Some dogs will do this compulsively, or he may have a small bite or scratch. You can cover the area with a breathable baby sock, making sure it is not secure too tightly. Or keep the cone on for about 3 days to see it the area heals on it's own. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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Dog has bald spot on leg, won't stop licking. What's the cause?

It looks like a lick granuloma which can be secondary to itching, pain, boredom, stress, OCD. They are commonly treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and bandages or E-collar to prevent licking. If that doesn't work then anti-anxiety medications, like Prozac, can be prescribed to see if that helps. Below is a link with a website with additional information. http://www.skinvetclinic.com/acrallickdermatitis.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My dog licks his back legs raw and red. What can I put on it?

Place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent further licking. Consider an exam with your veterinarian to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. Possibilities include parasites (fleas, mites), infection (bacterial or fungal) and allergies (environmental, foodborne, etc). Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets, food elimination trials and antihistamine use with your veterinarian.

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My dog is licking a brown spot on her leg with hair loss. What is it?

Dolly has a lick granuloma. The staining you are seeing around it is from her saliva. Often times dogs lick a particular area due to underlying pain (ie: arthritis in the joint). Sometimes it can be that something irritated the skin which started the licking and the subsequent reaction. No way to tell just by looking at it. Here is a good article about this issue: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/lick-granuloma-in-dogs I recommend you get her to the vet for some treatment. Usually steroids and antibiotics are needed to clear this up. Also, she will need to wear a cone to stop the licking. No matter what you treat her with it will not get better if she continues to lick it. Hope this helps. Best wishes!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What causes a dog to constantly lick its back legs and how to stop?

I am sorry to hear about Amy. It is impossible for us to diagnose your dog without examining her but based on your photo I would be suspicious that she has what we call "lick granulomas". We often don't know what starts the licking but eventually the skin becomes infected/inflammed and itchy leading to licking which leads to more inflammation/itching and becomes a vicious cycle and a habit. sometimes it is a compulsive behavior. Often these cases may need a long term antibiotic, a steroid to stop the itching, e-collar until the itch is under control, and behavior modifying drugs such as fluoxetine (prozac) to stop the compulsion. We also sometimes make a topical drop to put on the lesions containing Synotic and banamine (an anti-inflammatory) to help decrease the irritation. If your vet feels like they have run out of ideas to help Amy I could consider asking for a referral to a dermatologist. You can read more about this condition at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1541

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is biting her leg. She has an itchy pink bump. Is it serious?

It looks like a possible lick granuloma which is from her licking. I would recommend an elizabethan collar and bringing her to a veterinarian so they can give medication to help her feel more comfortable while this heals. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Why is my dog constantly licking her leg and losing hair there?

Pets can lick a specific area due to a few reasons. Sometimes an area on a lower leg can be related to anxiety, skin mites, pain in the leg, nerve tingling, or a an abrasion which she is now licking. For cases like this, I recommend to have Diamond visit her veterinarian to looks for any evidence of pain or mites. If the doctor is more suspicious of an anxiety or nerve tingling, there are medications that may help. You do need to try to stop her from licking the leg. An Elizabethan collar worn any time she is not being directly supervised can help. It may not change the situation but an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs can decrease inflammation and improve skin health. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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