Hot spots in dogs?
Discussion
just found this, if its any use, but basically vets mate
What can I do to treat a hot spot?
The first thing to do is speak with your veterinarian. Due to the rapidity of spread and possibility of deeper skin infection, it is wise to start treatment with your vet. Also, these hot spots can be very painful to the animal -- caution is advised, use a muzzle if need be for your protection.
1. Shave the area. The first treatment for hot spots is to dry them out and get air to the area. Hair loss is a feature of hot spots, but hair can also mat over the inflamed area, covering up a potentially much more severe and large problem.
2. Cleanse the area with cool water and a gentle skin cleanser.
3. Cool compress the area 2-4 times a day with a cool wet washcloth.
4. Medications - Depending on the severity and size of the hot spot, your veterinarian may prescribe oral antibiotics, topical drying sprays or medications, and/or special shampoos.
5. Prevention of licking, biting, scratching -i.e. Elizabethan collar
6. Additional home remedies that can be used until you can see your vet:
* tea bag compresses (black or green tea) to help dry the area out. Tea can be used as a wash or as a compress.
* Domeboro's (Burow's) solution (aluminum acetate) - available over-the-counter at pharmacies to help dry the skin out. Can be used as a compress or as a spray.
* Hydrocortisone creams - Some people advocate using a thin film of an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. I would recommend talking to your vet first -- in general, creams and ointments only serve to "gunk up" the area and prevent proper drying if used incorrectly. Also, if the pet licks it, you want to make sure that it isn't toxic.
What can I do to treat a hot spot?
The first thing to do is speak with your veterinarian. Due to the rapidity of spread and possibility of deeper skin infection, it is wise to start treatment with your vet. Also, these hot spots can be very painful to the animal -- caution is advised, use a muzzle if need be for your protection.
1. Shave the area. The first treatment for hot spots is to dry them out and get air to the area. Hair loss is a feature of hot spots, but hair can also mat over the inflamed area, covering up a potentially much more severe and large problem.
2. Cleanse the area with cool water and a gentle skin cleanser.
3. Cool compress the area 2-4 times a day with a cool wet washcloth.
4. Medications - Depending on the severity and size of the hot spot, your veterinarian may prescribe oral antibiotics, topical drying sprays or medications, and/or special shampoos.
5. Prevention of licking, biting, scratching -i.e. Elizabethan collar
6. Additional home remedies that can be used until you can see your vet:
* tea bag compresses (black or green tea) to help dry the area out. Tea can be used as a wash or as a compress.
* Domeboro's (Burow's) solution (aluminum acetate) - available over-the-counter at pharmacies to help dry the skin out. Can be used as a compress or as a spray.
* Hydrocortisone creams - Some people advocate using a thin film of an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. I would recommend talking to your vet first -- in general, creams and ointments only serve to "gunk up" the area and prevent proper drying if used incorrectly. Also, if the pet licks it, you want to make sure that it isn't toxic.
Thanks TPot. I am going to take him in the morning, it's not life threatening just looks bloody awful and is obviously painful for him. I know this seems an odd place to ask but sometimes there is almost too much (conflicting) information on google for you to know what to believe! Asking on other forums but I know there are a fair few dog lovers on here.
I know Wikipedia is not always the font of all knowledge but heres alink if you havent seen it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_spot_(veterinary_...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_spot_(veterinary_...
I assume you mean an eczema type of hot spot. I would get it checked sooner rather than later. They increase in size fast usually due to dog scratching but they are very sore. They will prob shave, bathe, dry apply hydrocortisone cream start antibiotics use a method to stop dog scratching. A muzzle is often needed even for the most chilled dog as they are very sore.
There is another use for the term hot spot. Often with back pain an inflamed area of spine will feel hot to the touch thus hot spot.
I'm assuming it's not this though
There is another use for the term hot spot. Often with back pain an inflamed area of spine will feel hot to the touch thus hot spot.
I'm assuming it's not this though
Edited by becksW on Sunday 19th September 07:57
Edited by becksW on Sunday 19th September 07:59
Georgiegirl said:
I know it's an odd question but this place can be a goldmine of info sometimes! I think my dog has one of these, has anybody else had any experience of them? I don't know whether to take him to the emergency vet tomorrow or not.
Just reverse flush his radiator, or failing that, replace his water pump.Becks you are a star as usual! It looks much better this morning, alot less red and angry looking and hasn't grown any more - it went from the size of a 5p to a 50p in 2 hours yesterday. I am taking him to the vets first thing tomorrow instead of the emergency today. He let me bathe it with cool water and trim the hair around it (he whimpered lots but didn't bite, what a little trooper) and he is not licking it nearly as much but I don't know whether to put anything on it in the meantime - I read athletes foot powder is really good but not sure if toxic if he starts licking it.
To the other replies - I expect nothing less from you lot
To the other replies - I expect nothing less from you lot
Georgiegirl said:
Becks you are a star as usual! It looks much better this morning, alot less red and angry looking and hasn't grown any more - it went from the size of a 5p to a 50p in 2 hours yesterday. I am taking him to the vets first thing tomorrow instead of the emergency today. He let me bathe it with cool water and trim the hair around it (he whimpered lots but didn't bite, what a little trooper) and he is not licking it nearly as much but I don't know whether to put anything on it in the meantime - I read athletes foot powder is really good but not sure if toxic if he starts licking it.
To the other replies - I expect nothing less from you lot
Thank you but can't take all the credit there were a couple of other good replies.To the other replies - I expect nothing less from you lot
I don't know about the powder, personally I'd not use as could clog up the area and it needs to breath also an anti fungal tx which is unlikely to be useful. If you happen to have medical grade manuka honey you could apply some of that. Though your dog may want to lick at it! I would be reluctant to suggest anything else unless I checked with a vet first.
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