I know I could probably do a search to find information on treating hotspots, but thought to ask all of you well informed people first. Nora has three hot spots on her back that I think are stemming from the 'Suave' bath. I didn't have dog shampoo on hand. It also can be from just the winter, dry air? I've been applying cream (triple Antibiotic Polymyxin B, Bacitracin and Neomycin) But, my daughter, Taylor, has spouts of esgyema (sp? again) and has a prescibed Hydrocortisone cream. Should I try that on Nora? I feel so bad for her because she's itching ans chewing at the spots so much. Should I try adding vegitable oil or cod liver oil to her dry food? Any suggestions? Thanks, in advance.
Hot Spots!
- Thread starter avenlee
- Start date
I believe showpug recommended to use cortisone cream. I had asked her about a week ago about a little boo (and I mean it was sooooo teenie..lol..I'm such a fanatic) cause I was worried it may be an oncoming hot spot. I did put the hydrocortisone cream on after clearing away the fur and cleaning with peroxide, but for me...it was nothing more than a mere scratch. I'd try that.
I would rebathe Nora in a nice oatmeal shampoo made specifically for dogs...except don't use oats for coats...we've had bad luck with that shampoo. We have used FurstAid shampoo as well which uses organic products with soothing herbs. I have seen dogs develop hot spots due to a shampoo that just doesn't agree with them, or shampoo left in the coat. Some human shampoos are difficult to rinse completely out which may be the cause.
-Clip away the area around the hot spot so it can dry. My Sister in the past has used Gold Bond medicated powder to help dry the hotspot. Or you could use oatmeal soaks especially where your dog is scratching. Just simply stuff a cotton sock with oatmeal (organic) and soak in hot water until gooey, let cool and lay over the hot spot.
Green tea soaks will help dry to hot spot as well, just apply a soaked tea bag dirctly to the skin or make a compress out of a strong tea.
If the hot spots are not caused from the shampoo and continue...I would look into diet, adding omega 3 fatty acids, give astragalus to support the immune system and add antioxidants, Probiotics (organic plain Yogurt) and grapeseed extract. I have also heard wonderful things about organic pure virgin coconut oil.
Good luck, We've been down that road dealing with hotspots in the past with our Newf's...sometimes it's as simple as the shampoo that was used. Sometimes diet.
-Clip away the area around the hot spot so it can dry. My Sister in the past has used Gold Bond medicated powder to help dry the hotspot. Or you could use oatmeal soaks especially where your dog is scratching. Just simply stuff a cotton sock with oatmeal (organic) and soak in hot water until gooey, let cool and lay over the hot spot.
Green tea soaks will help dry to hot spot as well, just apply a soaked tea bag dirctly to the skin or make a compress out of a strong tea.
If the hot spots are not caused from the shampoo and continue...I would look into diet, adding omega 3 fatty acids, give astragalus to support the immune system and add antioxidants, Probiotics (organic plain Yogurt) and grapeseed extract. I have also heard wonderful things about organic pure virgin coconut oil.
Good luck, We've been down that road dealing with hotspots in the past with our Newf's...sometimes it's as simple as the shampoo that was used. Sometimes diet.
Thanks to everyone! No fleas Grammy I'm really thinking it is stemming from the 'Suave' bath. Since yesterday, after shaving the spots and applying the ointment, the spots are getting crusted and drying up. I gave her a nice bath using seargent's dog shampoo. I have AVEENO oatmeal bath on hand from the kids getting chickenpox that I will try on her. Her coat is just sooo hard to handle. She's so little, but you really need to lift those layers of hair to get her rinsed and/or cleansed!
Special thanks to Althe ! I never thought of the oatmeal bath! I'll apoly Taylor's hydrocortisone on the spots also. I'm sure she'll be ok, I just hate to see her being uncomfortable.
I'm really thinking it is stemming from the 'Suave' bath. Since yesterday, after shaving the spots and applying the ointment, the spots are getting crusted and drying up. I gave her a nice bath using seargent's dog shampoo. I have AVEENO oatmeal bath on hand from the kids getting chickenpox that I will try on her. Her coat is just sooo hard to handle. She's so little, but you really need to lift those layers of hair to get her rinsed and/or cleansed! Special thanks to Althe ! I never thought of the oatmeal bath! I'll apoly Taylor's hydrocortisone on the spots also. I'm sure she'll be ok, I just hate to see her being uncomfortable.
OK, I made Nora an appointment with our vet for today at 2:40 to treat her hot spots. I'll probably get whammed with an expensive cream to apply, but the spots don't seem to be getting any better as of yesterday. So I called yesterday, and I'm now sitting here looking at her and wouldn't you know it .. the spots look much better than they did yesterday! I'm going to still keep the appoint today, but arrrgh, its like a toothache and the dentist story. She gets her updated yearly shots in Feb. anyway, so I'll ask the vet to give them to her now. I might even call to see if I can bring Sadie in with me for her shots. One 50.00 office fee compared to three separate ones sounds good to me!
Do you get yearly vaccines? if so, I would hold off til your Feburary vaccine schedule. When I worked at the Vet clinic the Vets strongly discouraged customers from having vaccines done before the next scheduled vaccination. They do not expire on the day they are due, and some dogs have high titers of immunity and the yearly booster can be more damaging than good. If I were vaccinating every year (which I don't) I would try to go for a month or two past my due date.
Vaccinating too often, too early etc can really upset your dogs immune system. I only vaccinate my dogs every 3 years, but, I have a titer done first just to be sure they really need them. My old girl which is 10 (a Newf) has not had vaccines for probably 5 years as she still has high immune titers. If a dog already has immunity it's pointless and can cause adverse reactions when revaccinated.
Just to meniton as well, Hibitane skin cleanser works wonders on hot spots. My Sister keeps that on hand for "just in case" times.
Vaccinating too often, too early etc can really upset your dogs immune system. I only vaccinate my dogs every 3 years, but, I have a titer done first just to be sure they really need them. My old girl which is 10 (a Newf) has not had vaccines for probably 5 years as she still has high immune titers. If a dog already has immunity it's pointless and can cause adverse reactions when revaccinated.
Just to meniton as well, Hibitane skin cleanser works wonders on hot spots. My Sister keeps that on hand for "just in case" times.
hmmm, thanks for the advice. Both my dogs have been vaccinated every year. We have to license our dogs with the city and they require a rabies shot, at least, to do so. I'll speak with the vet to see what she thinks. Thank you though for bringing up that question. I'll definately wait if that may be the better option. She was just up in bed with me and now her ear is horrible looking; red and crusted. I'm wondering if this whole thing is connected. If you just stroke her back, she gets jumpy. Almost like a nerve ending thing. This visit will be well worth the money if she can find some comfort. She looks so mangy loking with the shaved spots. I'll keep you all updated. Oh, also, it seems to be all on her left side.
The key to "curing" a hot spot is allowing it to breathe by shaving the hair off on and around it, killing the present bacteria and keeping the dog from irritating and scratching it further. Clip the hair down to the skin, cleanse it with diluted betadine 3 times a day and apply an anti-itch product like a little cortisone cream or gold bond would work too.
I agree with danl, you need to shave around the hot spot so that it can dry. many dogs get hot spots due to allergies, dont know if there are any right now where you are. they can get hot spots from swimming in stagnant water such as a pond, bacteria gets in the skin.
I would shave/clip the area carefully so that the entire hot spot can dry out, and remember that red skin around the hot spot is not just red, it is red because the hot spot is spreading...I have seen them go from the size of a dime to double the size of a silver dollar in a matter of a couple of hours. put some antibacterial cream on it. it should go away in about a week, maybe a week and a half. then you just have to wait for the hair to grow back. without shaving/clipping the area it will spread and get bigger and more painfull.
I would shave/clip the area carefully so that the entire hot spot can dry out, and remember that red skin around the hot spot is not just red, it is red because the hot spot is spreading...I have seen them go from the size of a dime to double the size of a silver dollar in a matter of a couple of hours. put some antibacterial cream on it. it should go away in about a week, maybe a week and a half. then you just have to wait for the hair to grow back. without shaving/clipping the area it will spread and get bigger and more painfull.
OK, I brought Nora to the vet, which the time got pushed up a bit due to an emergency walk-in and she had to do surgery. No problem. The short story is that Nora does have some sort of an allergic reaction. She couldn't pin it down the cause for me, but that's her conclusion . Also, her left ear is really infected. Now, those that know me here, understand that I've always take care of my dogs when it comes to ear and eye problems. I noticed the redness and felt the heat from her ear just this morning. It seemed to creep up suddenly. I have half of bottle of the ear flush too, and told them that I would call for a refill when needed. Anyway, there is also a tiny pimple on her nose, that the vet inserted a needle into to extract fluid from, which was tested and she couldn't find anything wrong. She did mention that sometimes young pups can develpe something that starts with 'C' . I know, sorry, my mind is twrilling at the moment. (errands, errands, errands and crappy weather)
In any event, I have Baytril and Animax to apply for her ear and Medrol tablets to give her for her skin. She also received a cortizone shot while in the office and Nora is resting peacefully right now. I have to say that she was the perfect patient. I got so many compliments on how well behaved and how cute she was. Even while I was out paying the bill, a Huskey came in and Nora, of course, started barking (always acting without thinking) and as soon as she saw how big he was, hid behind my legs. LOL Wimp! As if to say, Dayem! That's a big one! They made nice though
. Also, her left ear is really infected. Now, those that know me here, understand that I've always take care of my dogs when it comes to ear and eye problems. I noticed the redness and felt the heat from her ear just this morning. It seemed to creep up suddenly. I have half of bottle of the ear flush too, and told them that I would call for a refill when needed. Anyway, there is also a tiny pimple on her nose, that the vet inserted a needle into to extract fluid from, which was tested and she couldn't find anything wrong. She did mention that sometimes young pups can develpe something that starts with 'C' . I know, sorry, my mind is twrilling at the moment. (errands, errands, errands and crappy weather) In any event, I have Baytril and Animax to apply for her ear and Medrol tablets to give her for her skin. She also received a cortizone shot while in the office and Nora is resting peacefully right now.
I have to say that she was the perfect patient. I got so many compliments on how well behaved and how cute she was. Even while I was out paying the bill, a Huskey came in and Nora, of course, started barking (always acting without thinking) and as soon as she saw how big he was, hid behind my legs. LOL Wimp! As if to say, Dayem! That's a big one! They made nice though Thanks Barb. She is doing better today. She isn't so jumpy.
Athe, I did ask the vet about vaccinations. She said really the only one that she'd recommend yearly is the one for Leptospirosis. Rabies and Distemper can be done every three years. I then asked her can she be licensed yearly without the rabie vaccination, and she said "Yes, but, its all legal BS" LOL, so I'm still at a loss. She did say both dogs weren't due for updated shots/boosters until the end of March. Which I can't understand because you need to show proof of vaccination by the middle of March each year or pay an additional fine to the city! I'll figure that out.
The Baytril (Enrofloxacin Antibacterial Injectable Soution 2.27%) that the vet prescribed is an actual needle injection shots. I have to admit that the office was a bit frenzied due to the walki-in emergency surgery. They gave me a sirenge that I only assumed to be used in getting ointment into the ear. Oh no, I have to give Nora a shot in the upper thigh every other day for her skin rash. Has anyone heard of this before? I was up front settling up the bill and they were all here and there looking for someone's chart on her 95 lb. goat that was due in within the next hour. One assistant even asked another one what was the goat's name again and she said "I don't know, Billy?" I started laughing and said "Either that or Betsy" hehehe. It took 15-20 minutes to gather up the bill for me. $132.00 later (right before xmas) I'm still rolling my eyes.
Athe, I did ask the vet about vaccinations. She said really the only one that she'd recommend yearly is the one for Leptospirosis. Rabies and Distemper can be done every three years. I then asked her can she be licensed yearly without the rabie vaccination, and she said "Yes, but, its all legal BS" LOL, so I'm still at a loss. She did say both dogs weren't due for updated shots/boosters until the end of March. Which I can't understand because you need to show proof of vaccination by the middle of March each year or pay an additional fine to the city! I'll figure that out.
The Baytril (Enrofloxacin Antibacterial Injectable Soution 2.27%) that the vet prescribed is an actual needle injection shots. I have to admit that the office was a bit frenzied due to the walki-in emergency surgery. They gave me a sirenge that I only assumed to be used in getting ointment into the ear. Oh no, I have to give Nora a shot in the upper thigh every other day for her skin rash. Has anyone heard of this before? I was up front settling up the bill and they were all here and there looking for someone's chart on her 95 lb. goat that was due in within the next hour. One assistant even asked another one what was the goat's name again and she said "I don't know, Billy?" I started laughing and said "Either that or Betsy" hehehe. It took 15-20 minutes to gather up the bill for me.
$132.00 later (right before xmas) I'm still rolling my eyes.