Hotspot

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FayRose

Location
Close to Devon/Somerset border
Over Christmas Molly developed a matted damp patch under her ear. At first I thought she'd rolled in something gooey and washed the area and thought no more about it.
However, it didn't wash away and gradually spread and became wet and when I wiped round the area, there was a little blood in the watery mess which I was beginning to think was coming from her ear. She was scratching occasionally but not a great deal. By last evening though, it had become very wet and she was cringing away when I tried to look at it. So, first thing this morning we got a vet appointment.

Phew, what a nightmare. After examination and a good look in both ears, the vet diagnosed a hotspot immediately beneath but very close to her ear. He then tried to shave the area - oh no, Molly was having none of it. Poor little thing was petrified despite his attempts to show her the thing and buzz it where she could see it, she was desperate as soon as he tried to use it, panting and shaking like a jelly. Upshot is, being unable to expose the damaged patch he's prescribed pills, ear drops and to wash the area with salty water as best we can, rather than the direct application of an ointment which he said was the ideal treatment. He also confirmed that this is a result of her allergies.

Has anyone been in this situation and if so, have you found a way to help it heal?
 
Heidrun

Heidrun

I find that first washing with malaseb shampoo and then using hibiscrub on some cotton wool pads and giving it a good clean several times a day works very well on hotspots. Try and cut away as much hair as possible with scissors to expose the area and let some air get to it. Might be a two man operation, one using something like Primula cheese to distract, and the other quickly cutting the hair. One of my dogs is very prone to hotspots due to allergies.
 
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FayRose

Location
Close to Devon/Somerset border
Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately the vet said it was no use trying the ointment if he couldn't get the hair off, so didn't prescribe it, or hibiscrub. He just told us to try warm salty water. We have got malaseb shampoo though, so will try that as you suggest.
Ruddy allergies, such a shame.
 
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HAH

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
FayRose said:
Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately the vet said it was no use trying the ointment if he couldn't get the hair off, so didn't prescribe it, or hibiscrub. He just told us to try warm salty water. We have got malaseb shampoo though, so will try that as you suggest.
Ruddy allergies, such a shame.
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I haven’t heard of hotspots before, I am sorry to hear poor Molly’s suffering from one.
Just as a side note, I bought hibiscrub off the shelf in our local agricultural shop - it was in the horse section - so if you needed it it’s not necessary to get a prescription.
 
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FayRose

Location
Close to Devon/Somerset border
Well, that's a great help, thank you. I didn't realise hibiscrub is available without prescription.

Heidrun, I know you are right, just hope I can get some more hair off, she is so scared though. I've just washed the area with salty water and she tried to squeeze herself out of the door in fear - and it was closed :scared: Going to be a struggle to get her over this I think.
 
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Stacia

Stacia

Location
Malvern Worcestershire
Try to make it a bit of a game, act jolly, have a teddy handy, treats etc. Even wash yourself in front of her and make it seem as if it is a lovely thing to have done. Slow and steady. Could even attempt to do just a little bit before she has her meal, so that her mind is on her food.
 
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