Hot Spots on DOGS..anyone have any experience here?

[Bleenie]

She's allergic to Soy, but, my suspicions are HIGH that she's allergic to soemthing else too sicne we've used the non-soy filler food and she still reacts after a month of being on it. She has them(hot spots) year-round so I dont think it's environmental. I never thought of mites though, I will have to have him check for that when we go in.

She has also, since last year started getting really lazy. she sleeps a lot & doesnt wanna go outside much(no accidents either), eats fine, still about 90lbs, looks good(besides the spots!)... would the mites cause her to be so sleepy all the time?

She still sometimes plays with the other dogs and will walk around with me outside(she has seperation anxiety and will CRYYY if i dont let her out with me).

I thought maybe she was just getting tired in her old age or maybe because she wasnt gonna be around much longer

(she came from a backyard breeder & ya just never know!) I heard a couple years ago that her dad died of unknown causes, he was only about 10yrs old but HUGE.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

You'll know when it's "time". My Spook will be 12 in April. She is arthritic in her back/rump, down her left leg and into her foot. She moves slower now, but still wants to follow me where ever I go. We still go backpacking but instead of 10mile hikes it's 2-3 at a slow stroll. We spend a lot of time on the water in the summer. My husband laughs at us. (we all wear lifejackets when we are out kayaking, even Spook) I will float on my back and she will come and rest on my arm like a darn parrot and we just float there in the water enjoying life. If we go some place that there will be a lot of walking, we have a bike trailer/stroller that we have modified for her use. We took it all over Charelston!

You will know.

Check out her food. Go with no grains at all if you can or something light like rice or oatmeal. Make sure it is a quality food, not a store brand. Have the vet check for mites. My Daddy always put pine tar on hotspots stopped them from itching or something but worked.

 

[alpinefarm]

Quote:
I also have a dog (basenji) who is allergic to wheat and when I got her as a rescue she responded really well to Avoderm. There are other lamb and rice foods that are made w/o preservatives (Solid Gold, Canidae, etc).

Also, I have used simple old Bag Balm on a mare who reacts with hives and gets "hot spots" from bug bites. Bag Balm has quinine in so it does fight infection and then it is lanolin-based, so it offers soothing relief, too. Animals tend not to like the taste of it and leave the area alone.

 

[Bleenie]

I'll have to dig out the Bag balm. Canidae is really good food but she's a little snot & eats the cat food when i try to feed it to her. shes just a brat sometimes when it comes to feeding... she susally wont eat her dry food until i sprinkle her skin/coat stuff on it, then she cant wait and makes me spill the rest of the tube (doggy crack? lol)

I found a few recipes onlien for homemade dog food & i think i will try it. Most the stuff i can buy in bulk & can usually find discount meat, like stew meat n stuff. worth a try anyway, right?

 

[geebs]

It is extremely common in older dogs whose immunity has been compromised by bagged dog food made of grains... Best bet for a try it.... Put her on a meat diet. Raw or cooked your choice... This will help with hip dysplasia as well. It will make her coat glossy once again and clear up eyes.... Overwieght dogs will return to a more healthy wieght and will have more energy. LMK if you try it and how it works out for ya.

Geebs

 

[Bleenie]

She's gonna get a lot of fish to begin with, I remembered we've got a freezer full of salmon, lol. Then i will try the beef.

gotta pick up the other stuff hopefully tomorrow at the grocery store.

I should be able to tell after about a week if its helping any.

 

[thebritt]

After the spot is shaved, I've had a lot of luck with aloe vera gel - straight from the plant. It's soothing and drying, not to mention the healing benefits aloe is known for!
Be sure the salmon is thoroughly cooked to prevent Salmon Poisoning (often fatal!).
Hope you find the problem!

 

[Redyre Rotties]

Hot spots have to dry out, so anything oily is not a good idea.

Diet (grains) can have quite a bit to do with hot spots, so can fleas. The only time I see them since going raw is in the summer if they are in and out of the water a lot sometimes they will get an area around the neck. I had a couple small ones last year.

If it is already scabbing, yep, I take off the hair. Then I make a solution of betadine and warm water. It should look like strong tea. I take a terry cloth, and soak the area until all scabbiness and necrotic material is removed. Pat dry, and dab with Listerene. Finish with gold bond medicated powder.

 

[annette'spets]

My old,beloved, now passed away at 13 yrs. old Newfoundland used to get hot spots in the summer. Try Betagen spray(Gentamicin Sulfate) from the vet. It works wonders on lots of skin issues. Also,if you like Holistic , there is Rejuva spray from Azmira.com. not quite as good but could alternate. Once the area is dry- Gold Bond ointment stops itching.
As others pointed out, food is first concern. I don't feed ANY milk bones or cheap , artificial treats- I have five dogs and they itch if given those.All of the above mentioned things are great-bag balm,betadine,listerine,aloe, also,Solid Gold super sen gelle shampoo is a favorite.
Hope this helps.

 

[Wifezilla]

Check out her food. Go with no grains at all