Bizzy hot spot

[gschellinger]

Looks like Bizzy is developing a hot spot. I've never had a dog with one. Any suggestions? It is on the inside of her thigh, next to her belly. Not horrible but looking like it is getting raised now.
g.

[Shannon]

Hi Gail,

Hotspots can be a real pain. My way of treating them is to clip all hair away from it, clean it well and apply a steroid/antibiotic based cream. Sometimes if they get bad, one can place them on a course of antibiotics and pred. I know its a really conventional way and I'm sure others might have better ideas but that's how I've dealt with them in the past. Hope Bizzy's all healed up in no time

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi Gail

I can't personally add to Shannon's post, which is very good advice and worth trying, but in the book called The Pet Lovers Guide to Natrual Healing for Cats and Dogs by Barbara Fougere, it says to "....trim the hair and clean the area with salty water (1 teaspoon per cup of water). A oatmeal compress can be applied to the area.  Stir 1/2 cup of rolled oats in 1 cup of lukewarm water until all moisture is absorbed.  Drain excess water.  Place oats between gauze or muslin so that your dog is not covered in porridge - not a good look!  Apply the poltice for 10-15 minutes.  The oatmeal is soothing and healing.  Rinse with lukewarm water and pat the area dry.  If the hotspot does not look noticeably better overnight you will need to seek veterinary attention.  Steroids and antibiotics work very quickly to provide relief.   Homoeopathy: psorinum for hot, itchy skin and dogs that prefer warmth; urticaria for hot itchy skin and dogs that prefer the cool; and hepar sulphuris if there is a sticky discharge."

I hope you manage to reduce the hot spot.

jo