Hot spots

[shila104]

Has anyone here ever had any issues with hot spots? I have a 2 1/2 year old pembroke with an extremely dense coat. I brush and bathe him on a regular basis. Recently he developed spots under his front legs and chest. I tried to keep the area clean by washing with an oatmeal shampoo. I even clipped some of the hair. Within a few days it spread to his entire upper chest and neck. Consequently, I brought him to the vet and they had to shave the entire area. He is on antibiotics and also a spray that has to be applied twice a day. The vet said they were hot spots and I've done some looking around on the internet but I'm still not quite sure what to do to stop this from happening again. As of now, it's cleared up, he's just got some shaved patches. This is the first time I have ever seen anything like this and he just looked so uncomfortable. If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it.

Thanks
Shy and Ollie

[MyPemCharlie]

My last dog got an occassional hot spot from flea-bite allergies, usually on his hip or side. Fortunately he generally would only get one spot a little larger than a quarter that did not spread, and only one or two spots a year. I certainly could tell though that the hot spot was quite painful and itchy. I always used and oatmeal shampoo and just spritzed two or three times a day with PetRelief Anti-Itch spray which seemed to keep him from chewing the spot and would dry it up in about a week, then take another few weeks for his coat to start growing back in. He also got daily Benedryl for more generalized allergies.

Very recently, I read about using Gold Bond powder on hot spots. Seems quite a number of dog owners swear by it. Not something I would try without a veterinarian's approval, but it does make sense that a soothing powder would help dry the spot faster and relief itching. You might do a search on Gold Bond. Seems like I read some people using on a more regular basis for dogs with a general skin dermatits condition. I'd consult your vet.

Good luck! Sorry to hear about your boy. I know those hot spots must be absolutely miserable for the poor pup.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by shila104

Has anyone here ever had any issues with hot spots? I have a 2 1/2 year old pembroke with an extremely dense coat. I brush and bathe him on a regular basis. Recently he developed spots under his front legs and chest. I tried to keep the area clean by washing with an oatmeal shampoo. I even clipped some of the hair. Within a few days it spread to his entire upper chest and neck. Consequently, I brought him to the vet and they had to shave the entire area. He is on antibiotics and also a spray that has to be applied twice a day. The vet said they were hot spots and I've done some looking around on the internet but I'm still not quite sure what to do to stop this from happening again. As of now, it's cleared up, he's just got some shaved patches. This is the first time I have ever seen anything like this and he just looked so uncomfortable. If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it.

Yup, I have more experience with hot spots than I care to have. I had one girl who was allergic to dog food with meat in it. It took us awhile to figure out what the problem was. In the mean time she got hot spots and I got as good as the vet at recognizing them and treating them. Once we changed her food (to a vegetarian dog food) she never got them again.

Hot spots can be caused by a large variety of causes, sometimes from the undercoat not drying well after a bath. And in your case since you say he has a very dense coat, I'd start here in looking for a cause. Get yourself a dog dryer, these are made to not heat up like a human hair dryer. And after a bath dry your dog thoroughly.

Are there any self service dog washes in your area? These would have the type dryer you'd need. Maybe try one of them for bathing him.

Other causes for hot spots are allergies (can be to food, plants, fleas, shampoos, carpets, or ????), stress, or who knows what. Some dogs get them and no one knows why.

The key to curing a hot spot is to dry it out. If you find them when the skin is just pink and not broken you can spray or dab it with Listerine (the amber one). If it's broken skin or very red and hot, use Gold Bond powder. The Gold Bond will dry the spot and stop the itching. If it doesn't itch the dog will stop biting at it.

The topical spray the vet gave you will work well too. I've had very good luck with them too. But I don't always have it on hand and Gold Bond powder works so well I don't go to the vet for hot spots any more.

I don't even shave the spot any more. I just put Gold Bond powder on it. And they heal pretty quickly.

Good luck. I hope you can find the cause and stop them from re-occuring.

Peggy

[shila104]

Thanks alot for the useful tips, He's cleared up quite well for now. I just want to try and prevent it from happening again. He looked so miserable. He just wouldn't leave my side, always has his head on my lap. Ollie usually isn't very needy so I knew he wasn't feeling well. Thanks again, I will definately try the gold bond powder if I see the slightest bit of irritation again.
Thanks Shy and Ollie

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by shila104

Thanks alot for the useful tips, He's cleared up quite well for now. I just want to try and prevent it from happening again. He looked so miserable. He just wouldn't leave my side, always has his head on my lap. Ollie usually isn't very needy so I knew he wasn't feeling well. Thanks again, I will definately try the gold bond powder if I see the slightest bit of irritation again.

To prevent them you will have to find out what is causing them. Gold Bond powder will only treat them after they've started it won't prevent them. Although it should stop them from getting so large.

Peggy