Acral Lick Dermatitis and its Clinical Management in Canines

Three large breed dogs were reported with history of chronic self-mutilating lesions on limbs, self licking and chewing after abrupt change in usual routine at home. Clinical examination revealed localized well circumscribed, alopecic plaque with hyper pigmentation. For identification of underlying cause, a number of tests like skin scraping, radiography and neurological examination were conducted but these could not provide any positive evidence and the cases were confirmed as acral lick dermatitis. The animals were treated with Fluoxetine, oral/topical antibiotics and corticosteriods with complete recovery after two months.