I live in a cool region so it's not hot spots. I use advantage on a regular basis so it's not fleas. I just found a spot where he has chewed off hair and his skin is red by his tail. I am going to the vet if I don't hear anything back. I feel bad for him and I would love some suggestions or feedback.
2007-02-07 17:31:37 · 19 answers · asked by Jake C 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Well, hot spots have nothing to do with the weather, and that is just the common name for your dog's condition. It can have any of several original causes...When it begins, it is just an allergic reaction to any of a number of substance, then it becomes infected with a canine staph (not contagious to humans) and becomes very hot to the touch, and appears to be intensely burning/itching to the dog..thereby the name hot spot..
.. This is a good site to help you understand and deal with this condition..
http://www.petalia.com.au/Templates/StoryTemplate_Process.cfm?specie=Dogs&story_no=1580
At this season, it is likely to be pollen related or mold/mildew..But household cleaners often aggravate the condition..chemicals such as Swiffer Wet jet, Carpet cleaners, air fresheners, etc..
If he is eating a kibble that has corn or wheat, those are often the problems.
This is an excellent supplement to help him overcome his allergies> http://springtimeinc.com/product/88/2
If you read the 'letters' they are genuine..
Meanwhile, you can put witch hazel on the sores to ease the itching, or a little calamine.
2007-02-07 17:43:20 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
From all the previous answer, it seems that you have received the most important one: take him to the vet. He will at least give him medication to keep him comfortable until you find out what the problem is. What you are describing are hot spots, which are inflammatory areas on the skin that are aggravated by chewing or scratching until the skin breaks. Most are caused by allergies or fleas. Lots of times you won't see fleas, but if your dog is allergic to their bites, he is miserable. Ask your vet about flea management, if he/she thinks that is the problem. Do NOT dip your dog or spray with a flea product. That would be dangerous for him, and painful, since his skin is open. So again, Take him to a vet so the poor guy doesn't have to be so uncomfortable! Good luck!
2007-02-07 17:58:12 · answer #2 · answered by treasurepoodles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my dog had that too before and the vet told me it wasnt so bad at all . but they told me that dont let the dog stay out side so long time cause the out side air can make the dog unhealth and if you have a green grass yard then might had fleas or bugs that got onto youre dog body and just bited him and leave some red spots . if you dont want youre dog itching then you should get him this shampoo that will help the bad itching , rash , keep the coat shine, its call the allergen reducing shampoo ? that will stop the dog not to itch alot . where you can buy it from the grooming pets shop doesnt cost alot its cheap price .
2007-02-07 17:50:38 · answer #3 · answered by sk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the vet. It could be something serious, but it's probably not. Hot spots have nothing to do with it being hot outside... actually, they're the biggest problem when its dry outside, which is generally from cold. Could just be eczema... like people. My dog has it really bad... he inherited from me. =) Fish oil works somewhat, and I have a topical steroidal spray for him when it gets really bad. Could be allergies... find the source and get rid of it. If its just pollen/air allergens, Benadryl is cheap and works wonders (a veterinary specialist/dermatologist told me to just give my dog Benadryl... it works better than medications made specifically for dogs and has fewer side effects).
Good food is also VERY important, not only for obvious things like skin and coat, but everything. Canidae and many other brands make organic dog food with all human-grade ingredients (ie: no byproducts... most commercial dog foods, like Iams and Pedigree, use cheap/spoiled ingredients, and even "rendered" animals - ie: discarded lab animals, diseased animals deemed not fit for human consumption, and even roadkill). Canidae is kinda the standard, and for a 20lb bag it evens out to only a few bucks more (about $3 more per bag) than Iams, Pedigree, etc... and is actually cheaper than some such as Science Diet (which is REALLY BAD, by the way).
Either way, go to the vet. Just in case its something serious... and if not, they can tell you the right dosage of Benadryl or something of the sort for your dog.
2007-02-07 18:41:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if you live in a cool place, dogs can get dry skin this time of year (especially small dogs). The more they scratch, the worse it gets. You can buy brewer's yeast pills for dogs. They take a while to work. Try bathing him in an anti-itch shampoo. The one by Hartz with the little mouisturizing beads is really good. I have found a product for dog skin that is made by Pets Alive. It is very good. You put it in their food and they love it. This is the first year I didn't have to take my Pom to the vet with skin problems.
2007-02-07 17:37:31 · answer #5 · answered by Jon's Mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My min.schnauzer had the same problem on & off for years, solution? Take him to vet to have it properly diagnosed,change food, shampoo with medicated shampoos, give a flax seed supplement & vit. E.He also has allergies.
And he had bald spots from the hot spots they are called.
Once I changed his food & did the other stuff it finally cleared up.
It helped mines 100%
Cheap food is bad for them, too much by products,corn & fillers. Dogs by nature are carnivores we just choose to feed them grain which isn't real good for them. Also depends on breed,mine is a hyper high strung breed anyway so I try not to have him stressed out with arguing ect around him or too much excitement he can't handle it.
Hope this helped you, but get the dog to a good vet asap.They can medicate the hot spots & clear it up.
2007-02-07 18:05:27 · answer #6 · answered by "Angel" 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like an allergy. Please go to the vet.
It may take medication to stop the progression.
Try adding a fish oil pill for people once a day. I had a dog with lots of problems including getting itchy and stinky. It helped him a lot.
2007-02-07 17:41:42 · answer #7 · answered by Susan M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be hot spots. Just because it's cold doesn't mean anything. Your dog could be allergic to bug bites. Go to the pet store and get some spray and spray it on the dog.
2007-02-07 19:02:39 · answer #8 · answered by amysbuttabutta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a staph infection. My dog had one. He had a small rash looking spot and he would itch and itch, he even started pulling out his hair. I took him to the vet and they gave him medication and a special shampoo...it worked. Haven't had a problem since. They get staph from their skin breaking open and licking it
2007-02-07 17:45:59 · answer #9 · answered by kerri_lynn01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably some type of allergic reaction. One of my three dogs was allergic to Advantage and had sore break out all along the ridge of the back and tail. You might check that. Best bet if you can't see anything is the vet.
2007-02-07 17:37:45 · answer #10 · answered by dcricket23 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋