- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Hotspot
- Thread starter FayRose
- Start date
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Thank you Ashley - it is very helpful indeed.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Thanks Selina27, yes, may well be worth trying.
- Location
- East Sussex
I think it should be possible to rule out one thing at a time without going down the kibble only route. My last dog (chocolate Lab called Rolo) had skin problems and also sometimes gungy ears. I didn't rule things out systematically, which is a pity, but put him on a diet of tinned tuna and brown rice, until very old age when he wouldn't eat it at which time he was on Symply salmon and potato. The diet definitely helped, though he did still need the odd course of steroids. Because I thought he was sensitive to wheat, I also fed leftover meat and veg, so this might be why he still had the odd flare up (maybe it wasn't wheat but a particular meat he was sensitive to.)
I suppose what I'm saying is that if you are systematic you could rule out one ingredient at a time, by feeding any kibble without it, or by home-cooking. For example feed nothing containing chicken for 6 weeks and if that has no effect then rule out beef etc.
I suppose what I'm saying is that if you are systematic you could rule out one ingredient at a time, by feeding any kibble without it, or by home-cooking. For example feed nothing containing chicken for 6 weeks and if that has no effect then rule out beef etc.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I think it's easier and more realistic to do an exclusion diet feeding home-cooked stuff when food is a big part of their lives, as you say. I put Luna on the kibble the vet recommended, but (as much as she ate it, because she's a Lab), I wasn't happy with it, and wanted to be able to give her more - and better.
When you home-cook, you want to ensure that, as well as having a proper nutritional balance, you feed a range of proteins, but for short-term, diagnostic purposes, it doesn't matter so much. With Squidge, I put her on a white fish and vegetables diet to start off with. I used a couple of different white fish (as I was pretty sure she wasn't sensitive to that), and a range of veggies. For training, I blitzed the food I made and used a squeeze tube. I would also make pyramid pan treats from the same stuff. Sometimes, I used Fish4Dogs white fish kibble.
In the end, the vet didn't think it was food at all, and put her on some meds, which seemed to clear it up, but then it re-emerged. There seems to be a correlation with lentils for her. Now, their regular food is a mixture of fish, pork and beef, with vegetables. I cook up offal separately, as Squidge can't have it, and I supplement with calcium and fish oil. They get raw chicken carcasses, or raw frozen fish at lunch, sometimes a chicken leg, or a portion of rabbit, or raw egg. They absolutely adore their food, and I have had no more skin issues.
If you're interested in home cooking, there's a very informative Facebook group specifically for it, here: Home Cooked Diets For Dogs
When you home-cook, you want to ensure that, as well as having a proper nutritional balance, you feed a range of proteins, but for short-term, diagnostic purposes, it doesn't matter so much. With Squidge, I put her on a white fish and vegetables diet to start off with. I used a couple of different white fish (as I was pretty sure she wasn't sensitive to that), and a range of veggies. For training, I blitzed the food I made and used a squeeze tube. I would also make pyramid pan treats from the same stuff. Sometimes, I used Fish4Dogs white fish kibble.
In the end, the vet didn't think it was food at all, and put her on some meds, which seemed to clear it up, but then it re-emerged. There seems to be a correlation with lentils for her. Now, their regular food is a mixture of fish, pork and beef, with vegetables. I cook up offal separately, as Squidge can't have it, and I supplement with calcium and fish oil. They get raw chicken carcasses, or raw frozen fish at lunch, sometimes a chicken leg, or a portion of rabbit, or raw egg. They absolutely adore their food, and I have had no more skin issues.
If you're interested in home cooking, there's a very informative Facebook group specifically for it, here: Home Cooked Diets For Dogs
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Thank you Joy and snowbunny, that is VERY helpful and hopeful.
Have you considered taking her to a specialist dermatologist? They might be able to pinpoint the cause faster. Confession: we haven’t done that with Snowie. But I have read of others who had good results. We went the holistic vet route, who gave good general advice, but poor Snowie is not itchy-free, but I can see when it gets worse: hot, humid months are the worst. Cold winter and he’s a normal dog.
Like your OH, my (regular) vet said there was no point trying a limited diet with Snowie because he was bound to pick up food off the pavement. We’ve not completely sorted out his itchiness, but I do believe a healthy, low-carb diet has contributed to his good health. We feed him raw meat, offal, and bones, along with eggs, fruit, and veggies, and any cooked leftovers. We go for variety. I try to feed him a variety of meat, although I have eliminated pork as I think he didn’t do well on it. Also, it could be all the hormones and antibiotics in meat that are bad for him. For this reason we also exclude chicken—the factory farming industry is really bad. I would love to feed Snowie organic, grass-fed, free-range everything all the time, but the cost is prohibitive. But I’m guessing he’d be even more healthy and thriving on the best possible quality meat.
Like your OH, my (regular) vet said there was no point trying a limited diet with Snowie because he was bound to pick up food off the pavement. We’ve not completely sorted out his itchiness, but I do believe a healthy, low-carb diet has contributed to his good health. We feed him raw meat, offal, and bones, along with eggs, fruit, and veggies, and any cooked leftovers. We go for variety. I try to feed him a variety of meat, although I have eliminated pork as I think he didn’t do well on it. Also, it could be all the hormones and antibiotics in meat that are bad for him. For this reason we also exclude chicken—the factory farming industry is really bad. I would love to feed Snowie organic, grass-fed, free-range everything all the time, but the cost is prohibitive. But I’m guessing he’d be even more healthy and thriving on the best possible quality meat.
Agh Bear's got a hotspot.
I feel a bit bad about this as day 1 - just like @FayRose - we thought it was something sticky under his neck - and he did actually have some other sticky thing on his leg which was a bit of a red herring. Then we thought it was a small scrape, or a bite when it went a bit red, and wondered if it was just him playing with another dog on one of his group walks and it had got a bit rough. Yesterday it was looking worse so we got an emergency vet appointment and the vet said it was a good job as another day and it could have got really big and been much worse. It was about the size of a pound coin, the vet has shaved the area and we are doing diluted hibiscrub (1:10) 2-3 times a day, a course of steroids, and a course of antibiotics. It was looking ok this morning, but he's gone and scratched it this afternoon and it's got bloody and bigger - now around the size of a 50 pence piece. I don't think he finds it massively itchy, but just happened to be scratching around and under his ear.
He does swim a lot, often in manky water, and the fur around this ruff is very very thick, so this probably explains it. Keeping him dry is a problem as it's bucketed down with rain all day today - it's the first day ever, ever, that Bear hasn't had a walk.
I have an inflatable Buster collar - any thoughts on whether I should put it on him overnight to stop any further scratching, or is it best left to air?
Poor boy, there's so much going on here at the moment with builders, dirt, doors that no longer exist and new gaps in the house appearing, plus all the people coming and going.
I feel a bit bad about this as day 1 - just like @FayRose - we thought it was something sticky under his neck - and he did actually have some other sticky thing on his leg which was a bit of a red herring. Then we thought it was a small scrape, or a bite when it went a bit red, and wondered if it was just him playing with another dog on one of his group walks and it had got a bit rough. Yesterday it was looking worse so we got an emergency vet appointment and the vet said it was a good job as another day and it could have got really big and been much worse. It was about the size of a pound coin, the vet has shaved the area and we are doing diluted hibiscrub (1:10) 2-3 times a day, a course of steroids, and a course of antibiotics. It was looking ok this morning, but he's gone and scratched it this afternoon and it's got bloody and bigger - now around the size of a 50 pence piece. I don't think he finds it massively itchy, but just happened to be scratching around and under his ear.
He does swim a lot, often in manky water, and the fur around this ruff is very very thick, so this probably explains it. Keeping him dry is a problem as it's bucketed down with rain all day today - it's the first day ever, ever, that Bear hasn't had a walk.
I have an inflatable Buster collar - any thoughts on whether I should put it on him overnight to stop any further scratching, or is it best left to air?
Poor boy, there's so much going on here at the moment with builders, dirt, doors that no longer exist and new gaps in the house appearing, plus all the people coming and going.
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Poor Bear, that sounds uncomfortable. Thanks for the description, it’s a good reminder how quickly they develop. I’m also certain I’d assume something like you describe was a ‘something rolled in’ especially round the neck area - please don’t feel bad, you’ve acted really quickly.
Tricky on the buster collar, partially because of where the hotspot is (you don’t want the collar rubbing) and also as you don’t think it’s bothering him too much, maybe he could do without it. I’d be inclined to let it have as much air as possible if he looks like he’ll leave it.
Tricky on the buster collar, partially because of where the hotspot is (you don’t want the collar rubbing) and also as you don’t think it’s bothering him too much, maybe he could do without it. I’d be inclined to let it have as much air as possible if he looks like he’ll leave it.
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
Hot spots suck! You’ve got onto it quickly though. It’s a small one, due to your fast action, even though it might look big.
I would try to prevent scratching with the inflatable collar or a cone. The skin needs a chance to heal without further damage.
For prevention, regular brushing helps. Anything to avoid hair buildup in the thickly furred areas. Round the tail and on the tail is also important.
The main thing, we find, is keeping dogs out of mucky water, especially storm water, or at least hosing down, drying, then (ideally) brushing ASAP afterwards.
I’m sure Bear will come good with the treatment you’ve got him on.
I would try to prevent scratching with the inflatable collar or a cone. The skin needs a chance to heal without further damage.
For prevention, regular brushing helps. Anything to avoid hair buildup in the thickly furred areas. Round the tail and on the tail is also important.
The main thing, we find, is keeping dogs out of mucky water, especially storm water, or at least hosing down, drying, then (ideally) brushing ASAP afterwards.
I’m sure Bear will come good with the treatment you’ve got him on.
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
Hibiscrub doesn’t cut it as the infection is probably into the deeper layers of the skin. So antibiotics are needed. The steroids are to give Bear some comfort from the pain and to break the itching cycle. These things are horrible…they need the big guns, not OTC solutions. Hotspots are one of those things that need vet attention and prescription meds pronto.
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Ariel had a horrible hotspot last summer. It grew unbelievably within 24 hours after we saw something small, but a bit strange looking, on her cheek. Some expensive steroid cream, keeping it dry and loads of cuddles took care of it. But I was stunned at how quickly it grew from first sighting.
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
I'll leave these as thumbnails as they're a bit gross, but real. I felt absolutely horrible for her.
Attachments
I’ve just had a look for background info on hotspots as I don’t know much about them - this link might be of interest to others: Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) in dogs
Exactly as others have said, fast veterinary treatment is the key thing to stop them getting worse as they can develop quickly and get very bad.
Exactly as others have said, fast veterinary treatment is the key thing to stop them getting worse as they can develop quickly and get very bad.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Snowie has had a few hotspots in his time. My vet has only clipped the fur and recommended antiseptic washes. Her approach is first topical treatment. She’s never given antibiotic tablets for a hotspot. Only Bactroban (topical antibiotic gel) if it’s not improving with the antiseptic wash.
- Location
- East Sussex