Hotspots

[_temamoon]

Hi, I'm a new member on here and was told to ask my questions on this section. My lab, Cash has recently been biting on his hind legs. I took him to the vet and they gave me some cream but it hasn't been doing anything. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use?

[ArchieSit]

Hi and welcome! I don't have a ton of experience -- my lab, Archie, had a hot spot at the beginning of June. As soon as I realized it was open, I took him to the vet. She gave him a shot of cortisone, some spray to use topically as I decided, and told me to bathe him once a week or so for a little while because we suspected it was seasonal allergies. She also had me give him two benadryl (the human kind) whenever his itching seemed particularly bad. This regimen worked for him.

I'm only bathing him about every three weeks now, and only giving the benadryl a couple times a week. I think the change in seasons is really helping. I also give Archie salmon and/or coconut oil as a topper in his dry food. Is he new to you? Did you change his food? I would probably start with a good bath with a soothing oatmeal shampoo and a really good brush out. If he's still itching badly then it's probably time to go back to the vet. Good luck!

[_temamoon]

I've had a him a little over a month. So far all I've fed him was wellness. I put coconut oil in his food as well as an egg once a week. I've been doing that since I got him but this hot spot is maybe a week old now.

[POPTOP]

A vet visit may be in order to make sure it is a hot spot you are dealing with.

Our Melody had one, on the side of her face, under the ear flap. I put her in the tub daily and used the hand held shower head to rinse the spot - no rubbing. Lukewarm water helped soften and release the gooey stuff that accumulates. No soap, nothing but the water. Pat dry - no rubbing. Let air dry. Apply Gold Bond powder (in the gold container). It's kinda lofty so protect face and nose. If you have to, use a cone to keep Cash from licking/scratching. It takes about a week to see real progress. If it is not healing, definitely a trip to the vet, sometimes there can be a secondary infection.

[Annette47]

Mulder used to get hot spots - his were only in the warm weather but went away completely when we switched him off of chicken. The vet would give us a spray to use on it to soothe the itching and prevent infection, but on several occasions the only real way to heal it was to shave the area so that it had a chance to dry out. His were mostly on his neck/cheek area like PopTop described.

[dynamicgang]

It normally takes a few days to see improvement.

Did the vet trim the fur around the spot? If not, trim the fur around the spot. Get beyond the outer edge.

clean the area well with phisohex or Betadyne (I use Betadyne).

spray with Vetricyn wound or hot spot spray.

spray several times a day. Clean at least once a day.

[Maxx&Emma]

If you catch them in the very beginning Gold Bond powder can be very helpful. You need to thoroughly wash, dry and often trim the fur in the area first. If a hot spot has been around for a week a vet visit with a steroid shot and antibiotics for secondary skin infection are often necessary.

[_temamoon]

Okay, thank you all so much for the suggestions!!!

[Snowco Labradors]

More info here. hope it helps.

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