Hotspot

[jazzmynn]

How is Bear today?

 

[Natalie]

Thanks everyone for your kind messages, Bear is doing well today. We were going to put the collar on him overnight, but he was already fast asleep curled up in a tight ball and I didn't have the heart to wake him. Fortunately he doesn't seem to have touched it over night, and it looks better than it did yesterday evening. I'm hoping it's scabbing a bit now where he scratched it.

I've left the picture as a thumbnail like @jazzmynn did as it's a bit yuk. I tried to do it via the spoiler button above but couldn't quite figure it out.

Seems like a lot of meds for a hotspot that was caught so early.

I'm not sure it was that early, really, it was at least 2-3 days in. It sounds like we got lucky it didn't grow as fast as it could have.

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.

Thanks, he does get a lot of dry skin around his tail, and this is a good thing to know. He's just a touch itchy anyway, so even though I don't bath him (only once when the smell of the dead heron he rolled in was vomit inducing) as a rule, I'm wondering about a regular bath with Malaseb / oatmeal shampoo might help. OH is feeling a bit guilty as in the warm weather he doesn't always dry him off a lot when he's been swimming, but we just didn't know this could be a cause of a hotspot

I’ve just had a look for background info on hotspots as I don’t know much about them

Me neither, and I want to learn more so we can prevent another one if possible. I'm annoyed though as I had heard of them, both on here and on the other forum, but it honestly never occurred to me that that's what Bear had.

It may be co-incidence, but Bear has had me up five nights in a row to go out for a 3am poo - could this be the infection that has upset his digestion a bit? bearing in mind he has a such a sensitive tum it really doesn't take much to give him the runs.

 

[Granca]

I hope it clears up soon. for Bear.

 

[Stacia]

Poor Lad, that does look sore even in a tiny photo

 

[Loraseal]

I hope Bear has a good night tonight as well. X

 

[jazzmynn]

@Natalie about the drying, that was one of the things my vet mentioned. I usually towel dry her after her swim, but on the sunny days on the deck, I often let her “air” dry. The vet said if it’s humid it could lead to a hotspot very easily.

 

[Oberon]

Your OH shouldn‘t feel guilty (but having been there, I totally understand!). It is so hard to be vigilant all the time, impossible really. Especially with these dogs that just love to get in filthy, stagnant water With that and the thick fur, it’s a hotspot paradise! We have dealt with several hotspots, but it’s taken us a few rounds to learn how to prevent, and how to spot the signs when we haven’t prevented, and also that we need to get to the vet ASAP. The good thing is there is no lasting harm and Bear will be just fine! Great to hear that it’s looking better.

 

[Beanwood]

You are doing an amazing job with Bear! Hotspots are one thing I dread with my gang as I know they are so difficult to sort out. You have caught it early so try not to worry, especially with everything else you have going on.