Acral lick dermatitis

Abstract

nodules or plaques on the distal limb caused by persistent licking. In many cases, multifactorial triggers are implicated, and these may have both organic and behavioural causes. Common organic triggers are bacterial infections, allergic skin diseases, arthritis, fungal infections and trauma. Most dogs with an organic disease develop an itch/lick cycle that may result in the production and release of endorphins, leading to euphoria and obsessive compulsive behaviour. Peripheral sensory neuropathy has been reported in affected dogs and is likely to be a contributory factor. In certain individuals, the psychogenic component alone is implicated after other triggers have been ruled out. In nearly all cases, furunculosis is a complicating factor. Successful diagnosis and treatment is dependent on the identification of the underlying component and any complicating or concurrent factors.