So Simba has a little sore on his leg. I suspect it might be a wasp sting, although I'm not exactly sure. It's a very small little spot. But he keeps licking at it, on and off. He's losing some fur around it and I'm worried it's developing into a hot spot. So, what to do? I suppose I could get the cone out and just wait for it to heal, but that seems a bit drastic. Any suggestions?
It could be a grass seed. If it continues, I would not wait it out but either phone vet for advice or go and see him/her.
I don't think a bandage would work, although I suppose I could try. He's not that good at leaving things alone. I'm worried about the lick granuloma possibility. It's not that he's licking constantly at it, but obviously enough that some fur has worn away. Maybe a visit to the vet is in order. Complicating things is that the next two weekends we will be away, which means he is headed for the kennel. He has lots of fun there, and more running around than he gets here, so it could be a good distraction for him. Conversely, he certainly can't wear a cone there. Oh, bother!
Yes. It's a full-time job for them, I think. So he didn't lick at it all last night. Looks better this morning, and dry. I'm home with him today, so I can keep an eye on things. Last evening when he was licking at it I was able to direct him away from it, so I'm feeling a bit better about it. I think I'll monitor things today and see how it goes. Tomorrow he's off to the kennel, we will get him on Sunday. So if things are worse by Monday/Tuesday I'll take him in to the vet. That's the plan for now, anyway.
Poor Simba! I think this is a useful tactic, when Pongo had a paw problem he actually learned that he was not supposed to lick it. I could see him move towards it, then think twice and change his mind. He did this a couple of times even when (I think) he didn't know I was watching, so he really did seem to take it to heart.
This is how it looks after some licking. Ok scrap the good intentions. Sigh. Back to the cone of shame for now, got a vet appointment for later this morning.
I don't know how your kennel works, but you could always ask them to put the cone on when he's in his kennel, but take it off during play time (when he presumably will be focused on playing with other dogs)? Such a small spot to cause so much worry! I hope it clears asap.
I hope the spot gets better soon! I took Brogan to our vet in Spain once when he got a spot on top of his foot from licking. I'd tried covering it with a sock, but he'd just take it off the second I looked away. I really wanted some of that bitter-tasting cream but she wouldn't give it to me as she said that most dogs like it and then lick more. Then the vet actually told me this: "Only when he's not looking, but licking, throw something soft at his head. Then he won't know it is you and will think GOD is telling him to stop - and he will stop." Um...ok. She is a great vet (and apparently Catholic), so I thought, well, I have nothing else to try. And so I tossed a sock at his head when he was licking and not looking. He looks up at me for literally one second with this "What they hay?" expressions and goes right back to licking. So I went back to telling him "Don't touch" and trying to keep the sock on his foot (instead of on his head). So, I have no advice for you, only that if you were considering faux-divine intervention maybe you can cross that off the list.
Ha ha! Nope, I have gone the traditional route and consulted the vet. So...he said cone for the next ten days or so, plus application of an antibiotic ointment 3x a day. It was a good thing we had he the cone on, poor Simba was a bit fed up with the poking at the sore and especially the little clipping of fur vet did around the wound. I kept feeding a steady stream of treats to keep him occupied but still... Vet was optimistic that we could get this cleared up without it becoming a long term issue, so here's hoping. I called the kennel to make sure they are ok with it all. She was fine with it, she said he can get through the doggie door ok with cone on and will take it off when they go for runs, etc. And she can do the ointment. So hopefully that will all work ok. I'll worry about next weekend when we get there...
Oh, and @Emily_BabbelHund ....I just noticed you live in Florence??? How marvellous....what a beautiful place.....
Well, just to not be misleading, I should explain that I kind of "live" where ever I am at the time. Usually that means summer and Christmastime in Regensburg (Bavaria), Germany, winter/spring in Cádiz (Andalusia), Spain and fall in Italy (Florence or Venice). Ireland gets squeezed in there once a year, too. I work from home so location doesn't matter - and as a travel-addicted gypsy, I take full advantage of that. Been living out of a suitcase for over six years now. But I agree, Florence is a beautiful place and I always really enjoy coming back!
Ah Lisa, am feeling for you with the cone..how is he doing with it ? It's always a nuisance to manage butnhe should be right now for when you go away x
