Missing hair

[JDUCE]

Yesterday Duce was sitting on the grass trying to eat a large stick , when I noticed he was missing a dime size patch of hair on the front right leg. It is midway up the leg and more toward the inside rather then the top part of his leg. At first I thought it was slobber but as I looked closer there was no hair. It is not red and all you see is his skin. I did notice he will lick that spot every once in awhile, but he does not pick/bite at it and it doesn't seem to bother him. Any thoughts??? Is this normal??? Should I do anything about it???
Thanks

[Denise L.]

Cyrus had a bald spot on his chest a short time ago. Sounds the same, no redness and it didn't seem to bother him at all.

It has started growing back so I am not too worried about it. I had him at the vet just last Friday but totally forgot to mention it.

[Jango]

Maybe a bug bite? This happened to jango and I took him in. I was getting stuff for him anyway and had the vet look at it. he said a bug bit him. He's fine now.

[JDUCE]

Originally Posted by Jango

Maybe a bug bite? This happened to jango and I took him in. I was getting stuff for him anyway and had the vet look at it. he said a bug bit him. He's fine now.

It didn't appear that a bug bit him, but I will look at it closer when I get home.

[Judi W]

Actually, on the foreleg like that it is more likely a lick spot. If he continues to lick at it - ends up being a lick granuloma or sore. My son's dog does this on occasion and he has found that putting a bit of Vics on the surrounding spot is the best way to discourage the dog from worrying it.

[JDUCE]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Actually, on the foreleg like that it is more likely a lick spot. If he continues to lick at it - ends up being a lick granuloma or sore. My son's dog does this on occasion and he has found that putting a bit of Vics on the surrounding spot is the best way to discourage the dog from worrying it.

Vics Vapor Rub??? Do you have any other ideas on what I can put there?

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by JDUCE

Vics Vapor Rub??? Do you have any other ideas on what I can put there?

Yes, she meant Vics Vapor Rub. All of my dogs don't care what I put on them to stop licking. If it is in a place where you can bandage it, I would do that for a week. It may have started out as a scratch or bug bite, but if the dog is licking it even a little, before you know it, he will be licking it a lot. You need to break the cycle and let it heal.

[JDUCE]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

Yes, she meant Vics Vapor Rub. All of my dogs don't care what I put on them to stop licking. If it is in a place where you can bandage it, I would do that for a week. It may have started out as a scratch or bug bite, but if the dog is licking it even a little, before you know it, he will be licking it a lot. You need to break the cycle and let it heal.

Than you for all your replies. I will go home and take a closer look at it and I think I will try the Vic's and if that does not work I will wrap it! Thank you!!!

[Judi W]

I need to also tell you that lick granulomas are usually started by bored dogs as a way of pacifying themselves. It can become obcessive and very destructive of tissue so the best treatment is exercise, training to stimulate the mind and something interesting to do.

[JDUCE]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I need to also tell you that lick granulomas are usually started by bored dogs as a way of pacifying themselves. It can become obcessive and very destructive of tissue so the best treatment is exercise, training to stimulate the mind and something interesting to do.

Other than sitting at home while we are at work (he has stuffed kongs and nyla bones to chew). When we get home he goes for two walks at night one walk in the morning,lots of ball playing, TRAINING and running, and he is in his second obedience class. I would like to think that he is not bored, and he is not destructive while we are out. Any thoughts or insights, maybe we need to do something else? Judi W do you think this is enough stimuli?

[Judi W]

Well, maybe you can teach him to read and watch TV then. I just know that is how they usually start, but they self-perpetuate as the skin becomes irritated. Heck, you won't know that is what it is until he sees the vet anyway.

[JDUCE]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Well, maybe you can teach him to read and watch TV then. I just know that is how they usually start, but they self-perpetuate as the skin becomes irritated. Heck, you won't know that is what it is until he sees the vet anyway.

I will work on the reading/tv watching. . .actually I would like him to do laundry while I am at work or maybe just maybe he could vacuum his own hair off the floor!!! I will watch it for the next few days and try the rub. . .he has to go to the vet in a week - he is limping and walks stiff. (We think it has to do with his mild HD. Again thank you for your help and if you have any other ideas please respond or PM me.