My licking, picking OCD dog

[Sandy]

Toby got his annual bloodwork done about two weeks ago.  Since then he has systematically licked and picked all the hair off the site on his leg where the blood was drawn.   He doesn't do it in front of me, because he knows he's not supposed to do it, but if he's outside longer than usual, I look out, and he's doing it again.  Currently he is wearing a sock I put on him.  Please don't tell me to put him in a cone - he's a Houdini at getting past a cone to the spot he's supposed to leave alone.  Any thoughts on what I can do?  I am at my wit's end.  So far he hasn't done any damage - there isn't running blood or infection or anything.  When I'm home he's going to have the sock on, but at night and when I'm out that won't work.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Can you maybe use Bitter Apple on the area?

[Sandy]

Probably tomorrow I can, but tonight he's plucked a lot of hair, and I think the skin is irritated.  The spray might hurt.  I think I'm going to resort to the cone overnight and give it a chance to heal up.  I don't think I have another choice.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

What would worry me is if it was itching and he was unable to relieve the itching. I hope he feels better soon.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

It might itch! Is there any cream safe for a dog when they itch?

[F, Calla & Luca]

A bit of hydrocortisone cream is my go to remedy. Maybe tonight with the cone.

[Sandy]

Human hydrocortisone cream?  His answer to itching, if that is the problem, is to pull all the hair out of his leg.  His leg is naked, silly dog.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, I would use human hydrocortisone cream.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I like the OTC cortisone sprays better for itching. They're cooling, and they dry in 30 seconds, so the dog can't lick it off like a cream. They're sold in any petsupply store. I use them on JD's feet when he has an allergy flare.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is what I use too....it really seems to help when Murph is having one of his seasonal allergy flares and starts digging at his paws.

[Jennifer]

Can you wrap it in a thin layer of gauze covered by medical tape?

[Sandy]

He'd just pull that right off.  Back last summer, he had to have a growth removed from his paw.  In the middle of the night he somehow got past his cone (which was still on), pull off the bandaging, pulled out the stitches, and created a huge mess.  My house looked like a scene from CSI.  

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

oh goodness, that sounds terrible. I have no advice but i sure hope you find a solution!