Pet Lovers

[June222]

medicated Gold Bond powder will help.  Just sprinkle and rub into fur.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@maestra wrote:

Rina, not a snark but why was your dog eating tripe? I ask only b/c we adopted a rescue 5 weeks ago and one of the 1st things we did was to take a look at better quality nutrition.

I'm not a vet but I'd stop any topical flea TX-we have always used Trifexis/Comfortis for flea and heartworm prevention. Take a look at the food your pup is eating. We go for grain free but not too fatty. Salmon, which is a hot protein (not good for summer weather) is better for allergies.

We have been feeding our dog Red, Taste of the Wild waterfowl protein, in dry kibbles. Waterfowl is a cool protein. Adding a teaspoon of canned pumpkin-just pumpkin no spices for pumpkin pie, to the kibbles adds a little fiber to help prevent colitis (cocker spaniels have GI problems). Merrick, Blue Buffalo (Red didnt like it) are also good dry kibble.

Change over to new kibble slowly-take about 10 days-2 weeks. hth.

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@maestra Why are you recommending that she stop the topical flea prevention?  Because it's irritating to the skin or because the dog will lick it?  I'm not sure I understand why this would be your recommendation for a hot spot?

When we adopted our dog, at the first vet appointment, Trifexis was recommended.  Being new at everything, I went with the vet's recommendation.  Then I read (a few times) from one of the resident dog experts here (don't remember her name, but don't see her here anymore) about the horrors of Trifexis and deaths occuring.  It scared me enough to switch to the topical K-9 Advantix II (and Heartgard for heartworm prevention).  My boy has been on the K-9 Advantix II year 'round ever since.  I like that it provides more protection than most flea prevention medications and it's not ingested.  

We feed dry Nature's Domain Turkey Formula.  It's supposed to be Costco's private label of Taste of the Wild.  My big boy loves it.  

[GardeniaGal]

My dog is prone to allergies in the spring and fall months.  Ever since I switched him to Blue dog food, there has been a huge improvement.  In fact, this year is the first in several that his allergies have acted up again, with itching and hot spots.  His vet gave him a shot of cortizone, and said if his spots didn't improve, to bring him back.  They're improving, so happily no retuen visit.  I dont know if a cortizone shot would always be the first choice among Vets, but he's been seeing my dog for 11 years, and knows his history.  Hope this helps.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Does anyone know if Dinovite is good for hot spots?  I've heard commercials for it, but really haven't paid close attention to every detail.  It sounds like it's a "good for what ails you" kind of thing for dogs.  

[RinaRina]

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

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@maestra Why are you recommending that she stop the topical flea prevention? 

BTW, the tick/flea treatment was a tablet, not topical.  Product name: BRAVECTO by Merck. It protects for up to 12 weeks.  I will NEVER give this to my dog again.  The only reason Y I did this time, is because the Rescue counselor told me I "must" use a flea/tick preventative.  I told her I never used it on my other dog, but she was adamant. 

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[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@RinaRina wrote:

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

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@maestra Why are you recommending that she stop the topical flea prevention? 

BTW, the tick/flea treatment was a tablet, not topical.  Product name: BRAVECTO by Merck. It protects for up to 12 weeks.  I will NEVER give this to my dog again.  The only reason Y I did this time, is because the Rescue counselor told me I "must" use a flea/tick preventative.  I told her I never used it on my other dog, but she was adamant. 

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Better safe than sorry, though @RinaRina.  I strongly recommend K-9 Advantix II.  Look it up and you'll see how well it protects for more than just fleas and ticks.  

[nun ya]

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@colliegirls wrote:

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@RinaRina wrote:

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@colliegirls wrote:

Two of our dogs used to get hot spots.  One got so bad that he got a shot from the vet and it cleared up right away.

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A shot?  Of what?  Cortizone?

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I wish I could remember.  He was a precious sheltie rescue who passed about a year ago.  One flea bite would tear up his skin.

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My dog is highly sensitive to fleas too. One bite and he licks and scratches himself raw.

Sorry about your pup, it's so hard - I don't think I can do it again after this, my dog will be 13. 

[AnikaBrodie]

One of our former dogs (a keeshond) had hot spots and we got supplements from Fosters and Smith that worked really well.  Here is their website:  www.drsfostersmith.com. 

I don't recall the name of the product we used.  You can just type in hot spots and it will bring up information/products for you to use.   

[PINKdogWOOD]

Oh Man, hot spots and pets - if  you're not getting the proper care from your vet, I urge you to please take your baby to another vet.  ANd it sounds like NOW is the time to do that especially if you've been twice in one day due to extreme itching and the vet is not doing anything for you or your pet.

Some years ago we had a beautiful oorang airedale, Clementine.  One summer she had three hot spots and itched like you wouldn't believe.  Luckily we have Ohio State Vet Clinic 8 minutes from us.  We take all of our dogs there, and we took her.  Hot spots were so bad, they shaved her fur, gave us a spray (which she hated), and a cream, AND put a cone on her for 2 weeks so that she wouldn't scratch anymore.  What a process for her to heal.  What a sight she was too.  I'm not going into the ugly details but she finally got rid of them.  Her fur grew back, she was okay.  Poor baby, I felt so bad for her, I was in tears!!!!!  We also went through 3 cones - yes 3 of them!!! She kept catching the edges on stuff and broke them.  A very LONG 2 weeks!!!  I had to take a week off work to stay with her just so I didn't have to crate her (because we crate our dogs while we're not home).  The next week luckily for me and Clem a great friend of mine stayed with her while I was at work.

Please I beg you to take your dog elsewhere and get the help s/he needs.  Don't let your current vet tell you your dog will be okay without giving him relief and comfort.

[AnikaBrodie]

Foster&Smith have regular informational articles included in their catalog.  Here is one on Hot Spots - Acute Moist Dermatitis.  Hoping you find it helpful .  Check their catalog on line for other articles related to allergies.

Description and cause

"... Also known as acute moist dermatitis, hot spots are usually a disease of dogs with long hair or those with dense undercoats. It is often caused by a local allergic reaction to a specific antigen. Insect bites, especially from fleas, are often found to be the cause.

Other causes of hot spots include:

• Allergies: atopy (inhalant allergies) and food allergies
• Mites: Sarcoptes scabei or Cheyletiella
• Ear infections
• Poor grooming
• Burs or plant awns
• Hip dysplasia or other types of arthritis and degenerative joint disease
• ****** gland disease

Hot spots are circular lesions, usually found on the head, over the hip and along the side of the chest. They will be moist, raw, inflamed and hairless, and can be quite painful. Animals usually lick, bite or scratch the area, and thus irritate the inflamed skin even more. In fact, hot spots are sometimes called 'pyotraumatic dermatitis' because the self-trauma is a major factor in the development of hot spots.

Hot Spots can change dramatically in size in a very brief period of time. What was the size of a quarter may easily be eight inches in diameter in six hours.

Occurrence

The lesions are rare in the colder temperatures of winter. They occur in equal frequency in both inside and outside dogs. Many dogs develop several of these lesions over the course of their lives. However, this is not a long-term disease. A lesion will suddenly appear, be treated and be gone in less than a week Another lesion will suddenly appear later the same summer, the next year or never be seen again on that dog.

Treatment

Treatment must be directed at stopping the growth of the hot spot and eliminating the cause. In many dogs the initial cause is fleas, but lesions below the ear often indicate an ear infection, those near the hip may be the result of an ****** gland infection, and so on. Whatever the cause, if it can be detected, it must be treated while the hot spot is being treated.

The first step in treating hot spots is clipping the hair over and surrounding the lesion. This allows air to get into the inflamed tissue and makes it easier to treat. The surface of the lesion is then cleaned with a non-irritating solution such as dilute Nolvasan solution. To help the lesion heal desiccating powders such as Burows solution (Domeboro powder and water) are often then applied. If the dog is very sensitive this may need to be done under sedation. In more severe cases the animal may be placed on oral antibiotics and given painkillers and anti-inflammatories such as buffered aspirin or steroids. (Do NOT give your cat aspirin unless prescribed by your veterinarian.)

We also need to prevent the dog from traumatizing the area even more. Elizabethan collars may be used if the lesion is on the top of the head, for instance. Nails can be clipped and socks can be put on the hind feet to reduce trauma from possible scratching.

Prevention

Many dogs that have repeated problems with hot spots can have the incidence greatly reduced by keeping their hair clipped short during summer, giving them frequent medicated baths and following a strict flea control program. Depending on the location of the hot spot, cleaning the ears regularly and expressing the ****** glands as needed may also be beneficial..."