Common names or abbreviations:idiopathic self-mutilation
Description or definition:
Acral mutilation syndrome, also called idiopathic self-mutilation, involves progressive self-mutilation of the feet and legs caused by excessive licking, biting, and chewing. The condition is caused in some dogs by a loss of pain sensation in their toes due to abnormal development and progressive degeneration of the sensory neurons in the spinal cord and in peripheral nerves. The hind legs and feet are generally the most severely affected. In other dogs, the condition may have a behavioral rather than a neurological basis that is similar to obsessive compulsive disorder in humans.
Related Terms or Conditions:
Acral Lick Dermatitis, also known as lick granuloma or canine neurodermatitis involves repetitive self-licking, chewing or scratching that creates areas of hair loss and the production of lesions. The affected area may range in severity from a few small lesions to ulceration over the entire surface of the limb.
Symptoms:
Repetitive biting and/or licking, usually at the feet or hind legs resulting in lesions, hair loss, ulceration, infection, and mutilation including toe loss. Some dogs may not have any pain sensation or responsiveness to sensitivity in the toes and sometimes up the legs.
Diagnosis:
Often a preliminary diagnosis is made based on clinical symptoms. If a neurological basis for the condition is suspected, a diagnoses can be made using nerve conduction studies.
Treatment:
Wounds should be treated by a veterinarian and depending on the severity of the mutilation, may require amputation of a portion of a toe/foot/or leg. In cases where the self-mutilation is behavioral, it is thought to be similar to a form of obsessive compulsive disorder in humans. If the dog is left alone too often without a positive energy outlet or it may lead to the dog obsessively licking and/or chewing. In such cases, treatment might include medication and evaluation of the dog’s lifestyle. Behavior modification techniques may help regulate the dog’s compulsive behavior and/or anxiety. However, it is also important to provide the dog with a safe environment (such as a crate and/or a restrictive collar) and frequent positive physical and mental energy outlets. Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for the neurological degeneration associated with some cases of acral mutilation syndrome.
If you suspect your dog has this condition consult a veterinarian and a professional canine behaviorist.
Links to sites about this disease:http://www.ivis.org/special_books/Braund/overall/chapter_frm.asp?LA=1
http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/dermatology/acral%20mutilation%20syndrome.htm
http://www.thedogplace.com/library/articles142.htm
http://www.k9aggression.com/Aggression‑Treatment/medical_issues.html
http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied‑ethology/behaviourproblems/lickderm.html
http://www.ivis.org/special_books/Braund/braund20b/chapter_frm.asp?LA=1
Description or definition:
Acral mutilation syndrome, also called idiopathic self-mutilation, involves progressive self-mutilation of the feet and legs caused by excessive licking, biting, and chewing. The condition is caused in some dogs by a loss of pain sensation in their toes due to abnormal development and progressive degeneration of the sensory neurons in the spinal cord and in peripheral nerves. The hind legs and feet are generally the most severely affected. In other dogs, the condition may have a behavioral rather than a neurological basis that is similar to obsessive compulsive disorder in humans.
Related Terms or Conditions:
Acral Lick Dermatitis, also known as lick granuloma or canine neurodermatitis involves repetitive self-licking, chewing or scratching that creates areas of hair loss and the production of lesions. The affected area may range in severity from a few small lesions to ulceration over the entire surface of the limb.
Symptoms:
Repetitive biting and/or licking, usually at the feet or hind legs resulting in lesions, hair loss, ulceration, infection, and mutilation including toe loss. Some dogs may not have any pain sensation or responsiveness to sensitivity in the toes and sometimes up the legs.
Diagnosis:
Often a preliminary diagnosis is made based on clinical symptoms. If a neurological basis for the condition is suspected, a diagnoses can be made using nerve conduction studies.
Treatment:
Wounds should be treated by a veterinarian and depending on the severity of the mutilation, may require amputation of a portion of a toe/foot/or leg. In cases where the self-mutilation is behavioral, it is thought to be similar to a form of obsessive compulsive disorder in humans. If the dog is left alone too often without a positive energy outlet or it may lead to the dog obsessively licking and/or chewing. In such cases, treatment might include medication and evaluation of the dog’s lifestyle. Behavior modification techniques may help regulate the dog’s compulsive behavior and/or anxiety. However, it is also important to provide the dog with a safe environment (such as a crate and/or a restrictive collar) and frequent positive physical and mental energy outlets. Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for the neurological degeneration associated with some cases of acral mutilation syndrome.
If you suspect your dog has this condition consult a veterinarian and a professional canine behaviorist.
Links to sites about this disease:http://www.ivis.org/special_books/Braund/overall/chapter_frm.asp?LA=1
http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/dermatology/acral%20mutilation%20syndrome.htm
http://www.thedogplace.com/library/articles142.htm
http://www.k9aggression.com/Aggression‑Treatment/medical_issues.html
http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied‑ethology/behaviourproblems/lickderm.html
http://www.ivis.org/special_books/Braund/braund20b/chapter_frm.asp?LA=1