Treatment of acral lick granuloma requires addressing the suspected cause of the lesions. Bacterial infections, for example, are treated with antibiotics. Arthritis is treated with pain management and joint therapy.
The obsessive-compulsive component of the disease is more difficult to treat. The dog may be prevented from licking the area by using some type of mechanical blocking device such as a collar, muzzle, or bandage. A topical product may be used for a period of weeks to decrease the itchiness of the area and aid in the healing process. Severe cases may call for the injection of a corticosteroid into the lesion. If the lesion is small, it may be surgically removed. Radiation therapy has been tried in some cases, but its rate of success is poor.
