So my sister basically adopted an elderly dog from a family friend who suffered a stroke, he can no longer care for the dog (or himself for that matter). Paulie is a good old girl, but she has an issue where she constantly chews and licks at one single spot on one of her front legs. She has been to the vet many times for it, and they eventually just ruled it to be sort of a neurological issue. Much like when some people with Alzheimer's disease sometimes itch or claw at themselves even when there isn't an itch present.
Short of making poor Paulie wear the cone of shame 24/7/365, does anyone have any ideas of what could help? The location is kept clean and dry, and wrapped with gauze and vet wrap. Thankfully careful dedication has taken care of any open wound (when my sister first got her, the dog had been not well tended for a while because the family was focusing on the friend with the stroke. Paulie was fed and whatnot, just not prevented from self harming). Bitter apple doesn't really deter interest in her leg for very long. She'll lick, make an icky face...forget a few minutes later, lick again, icky faced, etc. until all the bitter apple is gone and then she goes to town.
The vet wrap doesn't even stop her. She'll lick and chew at it, and eventually work it off her leg. It isn't so much of an issue if someone is home to verbally tell her to stop, which distracts her from it. But for running errands, work, etc. nobody can be there to stop it.
Other than her doggy dementia, Paulie is at least a very happy, healthy dog. She would have had to go to the shelter or be put down if my sister hadn't taken her in. And since she is 12 years old, she likely wouldn't have found a home at the shelter, either.
Short of making poor Paulie wear the cone of shame 24/7/365, does anyone have any ideas of what could help? The location is kept clean and dry, and wrapped with gauze and vet wrap. Thankfully careful dedication has taken care of any open wound (when my sister first got her, the dog had been not well tended for a while because the family was focusing on the friend with the stroke. Paulie was fed and whatnot, just not prevented from self harming). Bitter apple doesn't really deter interest in her leg for very long. She'll lick, make an icky face...forget a few minutes later, lick again, icky faced, etc. until all the bitter apple is gone and then she goes to town.
The vet wrap doesn't even stop her. She'll lick and chew at it, and eventually work it off her leg. It isn't so much of an issue if someone is home to verbally tell her to stop, which distracts her from it. But for running errands, work, etc. nobody can be there to stop it.
Other than her doggy dementia, Paulie is at least a very happy, healthy dog. She would have had to go to the shelter or be put down if my sister hadn't taken her in. And since she is 12 years old, she likely wouldn't have found a home at the shelter, either.
