Hot Spots???

Question

My dog has two terrible hot spots. She's had them for about 6-7 months. I know that's not good. I've been trying to help them heal with almost everything. From neosporin, hydrogen peroxide, Bag Balm, cortisone (SP) cream, to aloe. I've bangaged it up with all of those (if I don't, she'll just lick the stuff off). The hot spots are on her tail. And the last time I put a bandage on her, she chewed ANOTHER hot spot just above the first one (now she has two)! I don't know what do do. It bothers me that I can't help her. My parents "can't" (more like: don't want to waste money) take her to the vet. I want to be a vet when I get out of school. But she hasn't been to the vet in a few years (I know, I know....that's not good). But My mom promised me that we could take her this year....but so far that promise has turned into a lie....What can I do??? I care a lot about my dog, and don't want anything to happen to her. PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer 1

Hot spots are an allergic reaction to food etc .Change your dogs food to something better eagle pack is very good .It could be he/she has fleas or mites .Get some flea treatment . bath your dog as well as this can help , there is also a product called pet nat that could help .Treat hot spots with sud cream this should help as it is basically a allergic reaction . But please try and take her to the vets she will wormer and the vet prescribes wormer that cover all different types of worms .

Answer 2

For one thing hot spots have to be dealt with by vet. From wear you said the hot spot problem is located the dog might need its anal glands expressed. Anal gland are locate in the left and right inside the dogs anus. The sacks fill with fluid which is use a a defense when a dog is threaten. If the dog dosen't use it they fill up. Some dogs are able to express anal glands on their own. But in your case , the dog needs to see a vet. Plus the Vet will give you the proper meddication to rid your dog of hotspots.
Also since you want to become a vet, go to a vet tech school first. I'm 19 and I'm a vet tech plus I'm finishing up my last 2 years of my bacholors degree in pre-vet medicine before going to Vet school. This way you are ableto get hands on experience as a vet tech and you can work while in college or at a college with a vet that way you are more advance then the other Vets that won't have this experience that you will get.

Answer 3

Hot spots are created in a moist environment so you need to shave the area all the way around to get air flow onto it. They can be caused by a number of things like parasites or even itching that breaks the skin and allows bacterial growth.

Here is a procedure to help deal with it using a topical antibiotic which you already have. You may have to really shave a lot of hair to get at it.

http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/hotspots.html

You may need to find her a new diet if this is a consistent problem and get her more exercise and things to do. Persistent tail biting can be caused by stress, boredom and cabin fever in dogs so a regimen of lots of exercise, chews, toys and training can help take her mind off her misery.

If she hasn't been at the vets in awhile, you should call them and check to see when her rabies vaccinations are due. These are required by law so your parents will have to take her in.

You can pitch in for the cost (probably not that much and you can get an estimate by calling your vet so you have a better idea) by baby sitting or mowing lawns or doing other chores for your neighbors. You might even offer to walk their dogs so yours gets more exercise as well. It is better to get the problem taken care of with intensive treatment like oral antibiotics instead of fooling around with it.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You should get a job so that you can take her to the vet yourself. I don't know how old you are, but you can get a paper route when you're 13.

Hot spots are usually caused by allergies. Wash your dogs tail around once or twice a week with hypoallergenic shampoo. That will help the itch. It will just take time to heal once the itch is gone.

Answer 5

Trim the hair around the hot spots. Wash with peroxide and dry.Put baby powder on after washing.Wash at least 2 times a day .Put baby powder on several times a day.( baby powder helps dry them out.) Best if you could take to the Vet . Also fond this site http://pets1st.com/articles/00023hotspotsacure.asp

Answer 6

With that lenght of time and that involvement, she probably has allergies to something. You can try a simple switch in diet, to something labeled for allergies, but she really needs to see a vet.