I have been on vacation for a week. He had been roaming around in woods and around house. Any suggestions on what to do or whar could have happened before I take him to the vet?
2006-06-29 04:31:18 · 9 answers · asked by Courtney W 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
More from Dr. Mike on this problem>>http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dhotspots.html#Hot%20spots
A hot spot starts because something irritates the dog's skin. The body's response is to either itch or create an inflammatory response at the site. In cases of itching, the dog then rubs, licks or chews the site and adds to the problem. These sores can develop into severe problems in an hour or two at times.
The most common irritants are probably fleas and allergies. These cause the itching that leads to the skin infection. There are many other possible sources of irritation. Tick bites, bee-stings, burrs, mats, mosquitoes, summer heat and other problems all contribute to the initial irritation that can develop into a hot spot.
The best treatment for these is prevention. Keep fleas off your dog. Groom and bathe your dog as necessary to keep the haircoat in good condition. Limit other sources of irritation to the best of your ability. If allergies are a problem for your dog, work with your vet to control the itching they cause. In some dogs, all of this won't be enough and you will occasionally see hot spots anyway. The first step in treating a hot spot is to get it dry. Bacteria like the hot moist environment of irritated skin. Using something to dry the sore makes it harder for bacteria to grow. Clipping the hair over and around a hot spot can help a great deal in allowing it to dry. There are lots of astringents that will help dry the sore, as well. My favorite is NeoPredef powder because it dries the sore, has an antibiotic that acts locally and a corticosteroid to control the itching and inflammation. Other vets and pet owners have their own favorites. People have advocated using athlete's foot powders, over-the-counter medicated powders, Listerine, rubbing alcohol and many other drying agents. Personally, I think rubbing alcohol is too irritating. Antiseptic solutions can also be helpful, especially if they are also a little astringent. Betadine solution is a good antiseptic. If the hot spot doesn't respond very quickly to efforts to keep it dry, then you should seek help from your vet. Small areas of acute moist pyoderma can become large area quickly. Some dogs will continue to dig and scratch until they really damage their own skin. Your vet can help make your dog comfortable pretty quickly in most cases.
Mike Richards, DVM
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2006-06-29 04:52:59 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since pit bulls have short hair it's easy for "bugs" to bite and for the skin to get irritated. I don't know if you live in area prone to fleas, ticks, or deer flies, etc., or if you live where your dog's skin could dry out and become irritated from the sun. At any rate, use a solution of 1/4 cup household bleach to 1 gallon of warm water and soak your dog for 5 -10 min. This will kill any "bugs" or irritation and will not harm your dog. Just be sure you do this in a well ventilated area. (Don't forget to check for ticks). Or you can take him swimming in the nearest pool that has chlorine in it! After he is completely dry, which may be the next day, bathe him with a conditioning shampoo. He should be good to go! If your dog has any other symptoms, I would recommend the vet.
2006-06-29 05:02:21 · answer #2 · answered by clgamble2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
more than likely, its mange hes possibly rolled in a dead animals carcas is he loosing his hair in patches, look for large red welts, like ring worm welts with a dry patch in the middle of the sore, if you see anything like this, then get you dog to a vet fast, don't wait until then, most animals will loose theirhair but if its a continual thing then you should get something done about it anyway. mange isn't a nice desease, it makes for a very uncomfortable animal and they do need to be seperated from humans ,they can contract scabies from the dogs mange. from my own experience we caught our dogs in time, but it took two vets and the bills to match before they could come up with an answer. skin grafts are the only way to tell!that is if they're a good vet thats what they should do,after examining the dog or animal, and it can spread to other animals as well , it's a contagious desease if not taken seriously, it will spread to other livestock,and if not dianosed right it can kill an animal, so do whats right get to your vet and get this done!
2006-06-29 04:49:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be and insect irritation or an allergic reaction or even something plant related like stinging nettles. Bring him to the vet and get some treatment for the dog, They can get the skin pretty irritated gnawing and scratching which can lead to infection. The vet may have a better idea of the cause when he sees they area, then you may know the source and how to minimize the pets exposure and possibly the reaction.
2006-06-29 04:38:05 · answer #4 · answered by Carol P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
god knows what! why couldn't you leave him at a friends house or take him to doggie daycare? he probably got in a fight with another dog or wild animal. he probably got ticks and fleas. my dog is loosing hair too. is it patches with no fur at all? just skin showing? how long have you been away? he may have scratched himself bad and is loosing hair from being inside the woods. and you cant leave your dog unintended. YOU maybe think he was around your house and woods but he could have been walking on the streets. you can pay a fine for that. take him to the vet immediately anyway. it could be something serious.
2006-06-29 04:43:04 · answer #5 · answered by strawberry fields 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be allergies, ectoparasites(mange, fleas,ticks,fly strike,mosquito bites, etc.) or skin problems. The only way to find out for sure is to have him checked for all of the above and heartworms( if he is not already on a monthly preventative) at your vets office.
2006-06-29 04:48:10 · answer #6 · answered by concerned vettech 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have similar problem with my 4 month old Great Dane puppy......Staff infection......take him to the vet to confirm that it is not mange. If not the vet will put him on antibiotics for the the infection (if that is what it is).....give benedryle to help with the itch (a 50 lb dog can take 2 of the 25 mg? pills)....my 66.9 lb puppy takes 2 pills.
2006-06-29 04:38:55 · answer #7 · answered by Suzie Q 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a allergic reaction to fleas, or an allergy from something else....look for signs of fleas, bathe in dawn dishwashing soap and keep lather on for three to five minutes and rinse, if he has fleas you will see them in the tub, get bio spot or advantage to apply to kill the fleas. If it isn't fleas consult your vet.
2006-06-29 04:40:06 · answer #8 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a little vinegar and lot of water....and a bath once a week or every couple of days....there are medicated shampoos also.
2006-06-29 04:41:37 · answer #9 · answered by jenn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it to a vet, and they will prescribe medicine for it.
2006-06-29 04:41:31 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋