Use of narcotic antagonists to modify stereotypic self-licking, self-chewing, and scratching behavior in dogs

We evaluated 2 narcotic antagonists, naltrexone and nalmefene, for treatment of refractory self-licking, self-chewing, and scratching behavior in dogs. Eleven dogs with various irritative or pruritic disorders were medicated with naltrexone (1 mg/kg of body weight, sc) or nalmefene (1 to 4 mg/kg, sc), after a period of control observation during which the dogs had not been medicated. The time for which the dogs were involved in self-licking, self-chewing, or scratching was determined retrospectively by analysis of videotapes. The rates of involvement in either activity before and after treatment were calculated and compared statistically. Treatment with a narcotic antagonist significantly reduced the time spent self-licking, self-chewing, or scratching in 7 of 11 dogs, was partially effective in 3 dogs, and was ineffective in one dog. Dogs with acral lick dermatitis responded most to treatment.