Why is my dog licking and biting her skin until it bleeds?

Question

Shebah has been excessively licking and biting her back, to the point where she bleeds. We noticed a very red spot on the lower spot off her stomach behind her back legs. The area is sticky and raised and warm to the touch. Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 10 years and 5 months old | 60 lbs

Jeffrey Milner · Accepted Answer

From what you are describing, it sounds like Shebah might have a lick granuloma. These occur when something irritates the skin causing your dog to lick repeatedly on the affected area. As they lick, the area becomes more and more irritated. The irritating and swelling then causes the dog to want to lick more. This is a painful and self-perpetuating process that will go on and on until stopped. The first thing that you will need to do is prevent Shebah from licking and biting. An e-collar or t-shirt will be required in order to accomplish this. I would also clip the hair around the affected area and clean it off with some chlorhexidine solution, which you can obtain at a pharmacy. Depending on the extent of the injury, Shebah may require antibiotics as well as topical steroids in order to control the itching. If things aren't starting to look better after following these instructions in a couple of days, she will need to see a veterinarian.

Why is my dog licking and biting her skin until it bleeds?

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