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The StopLik Story

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StopLik is simple to apply as a deterrent for the licking that causes Lick Granuloma, to stop companion animals from licking surgical sites, and from removing IVs, urinary catheters and Seton drains.

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Jean L.

I have ventured through a year of frustration trying to cure my German Shorthair of a lick granuloma- a year of frustration, learning and EXPENSE! If you have a dog with this problem, I can empathize. However, despite ALL of those websites and vets that say the hope for a cure is minimal, there is a protocol you can follow that will help your dog "kick the habit".

First, you have to educate yourself on what can cause your dog to self mutilate. Unfortunately, this is not clearcut and a lot of things need to be evaluated, PLUS, there can be more than one factor. Don't give up!

Look at:

• Allergies (your vet can test for this)
• Chemical exposure/skin irritation
• Lifestyle - (boredom can be a HUGE factor)

Regardless, you are probably at the point where your animal has a huge, ugly raised open wound and will NOT leave it alone!

First, you need to find a way to keep them OFF the area so it can heal. I have tried them all!

At this time, every sticky, yicky spray or ointment you put on it will not stop them for long- don't bother spending your money on it! If you wrap the sore with tape or a sock, she will rip it off as soon as you are not around- and sometimes while you are looking right at her!

Vets will give you an e-collar - these can work but the dog is restricted and, if you have an active dog it will be bumped, caught and eventually ripped. I purchased several oversized e-collars and my dog STILL found a way to press it back far enough on her neck to get to the sore on her paw. Eventually I went to a box muzzle, putting a heavy-duty duct tape over the bars that were under her jaw so she could not lick through. This allowed her to drink, but she could not eat without "parental supervision". Now, these products will keep the dog off the sore, but once off, they generally quickly find that the licking still feels good so - lick, lick, lick can happen quite quickly.

Use of the StopLik here helps break the learned cycle of licking and keeps any other dogs in the household from assisting!

Medications (thanks to an internet article by a veterinary dermatologist in VA for the antibiotics and vitamin regime)
These can work, in conjunction with a few other things

• Oral Steroids - these will ease the itch during healing - vet determines doses
• Anti-obsessive drugs - these can help the dog calm down and assist in removing the need to lick. These take time to work and, once therapy is done, requires a withdrawal period. *NOTE- sometimes it takes higher does than normally prescribed to get the intended result.
• Antibiotics - LONG TERM - be prepared. I had my dog on Ceflexan at 2000 mg a day for 6 months (1000mg 2X per day)
• Vitamins - Oral E, C, and a Omega 3,6,9 blend really help the skin and reduce inflammation
• My dog is about 60 lbs and I use Omega 3,6,9- 1200mg; C- 500 mg; E - 200IU daily

While the wound is still open, I used a good antibacterial pet shampoo from my vet and washed the area every day. You have to let the shampoo sit for 15 minutes and rinse well. You can get a good antibacterial rinse and a cortical/ antibacterial spray, too.

So- OK- what exactly do you do - well what exactly worked for me?

• Get the dog on anti-obsessive drugs and steroids as prescribed by your vet. FYI- the generic prozac should be given at about 2X the dose for some dogs and sometimes higher doses, depending on the dog.
• Get her on the antibiotics 2X a day.
• Give your dog the vitamin E, C, & Omega blend - this should never stop.
• Use the daily antibacterial wash while the wound is open and let it dry. During this time I used the box muzzle because re-wrapping was time consuming and the StopLiks would be destroyed when I tried to re-position them.
• Exercise and break the routine! I found my dog needed to be indoors with more social contact and required more play time than I was giving her before.

Once the area starts to have some new skin, use the StopLik strips as directed. I took them off about once a week to wash and dry the area and then put a new one on.

I continued this for about 6 weeks - this is a process and timing can be different for each dog. I would watch her to see if she would attack the paw, but it seemed she eventually did not feel it was so important.

One day, you will have to give it a real try - will she lick it like crazy when you are not home? With longer and longer tries, my girl did not and I could eliminate the restraints of the muzzle or the StopLik. I continued on the antibiotics until there was a real nice healing and hair grew back.

I withdrew her from the anti-obsessive drugs very slowly, steroids as the vet stated and antibiotics continued until the area was totally healed. She continues on her vitamins every day. She now has a raised area that is rough but some hair has returned. Most important- it is healed with possibly a tiny lesion or two erupting once in awhile.

NOTE- I have found that you need to continually monitor these animals. Although, not obsessive, she will lick on occasion and I remind her with re-application of a StopLik for a few days. She tends to get moist dermatitis between her toes and the occasion cut from brush. ANY skin irritation needs to be quickly tended to avoid starting another cycle. They just do it. It can be healed and it can be stopped, but you need to stay on top of things with them- it is worth it! They are happier, healthier animals and I believe they appreciate the efforts you put forth.