Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
#125753 - 01/22/2007 07:15 PM |
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Hi to all. I have a 13 month old american bulldog who has I guess what is called a "hot spot" at the base of his tail which he bites and licks constantly, causing redness and irritation. The vet said it was probably a flea that got on him when we forgot to give his his advantage 2 weeks past the monthly dosage. The vet gave him a small shot of benadryl and gave us some type of topical steroid spray which I only used a few times because my dog hated it, plus I didn't see any results.
I live near Tampa, Florida, so fleas are a problem. I was wondering if there are any natural solutions to his irritation. Also, I want to control fleas in my yard, but am weary of all those chemicals on the grass. Any pet friendly insecticides out there? thanks to all on this board for great advice.
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Re: Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
[Re: mike bouzas ]
#125766 - 01/22/2007 09:08 PM |
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Hi Mike
Hot spots are a pain to deal with. Generally, if they are smaller than a dime owners can treat at home by cleaning the spot with an anti-bacterial scrub and Neosporin. When they become any larger then the vet gets involved. The area is usually shaved, scrubbed, and the topical spray is given. The spray IS very effective but you have to use it more than just a few times. I would not give up on the spray just yet.
Also with hot spots an ecollar is almost always needed to keep the dog from licking, chewing, and making the situation worse. If you don't have one and if your dog is still going at the hot spot then you need to put something on him to stop it and let the area heal. Sometimes t-shirts will work if he won't tolerate an ecollar.
True
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Re: Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
[Re: mike bouzas ]
#125825 - 01/23/2007 08:32 AM |
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I had a similar problem a few months ago, and posted a question about my homemade solution, but unfortunately no one told me yea or nay, so I'll put it here again in hopes of getting some feedback that might help you as well. I'm also in Florida, so I understand your flea problem.
First of all, my guy had a couple of dime-sized hot spots. If they had been larger, I would have taken him to the vet, as Sarah said.
The hot spots had a hard crust on them, which I figured had to be removed because it sure looked like it was harboring a lot of bacteria and stuff. It wasn't really a scab, more like accumulated dirt, oil, fur, and gunk.
I cleaned the area gently but thoroughly with a washcloth and warm water to get rid of the crust. Then I applied pure aloe vera gel to the raw area and topped it off with bitter apple spray to discourage further chewing. I also increased the amount of salmon oil in his diet - 4 pumps for a large dog.
All I can say is, part or all of this process worked. And quite quickly, too - a couple of days and the rawness was gone. They healed up nicely and haven't returned. Whether it was pure luck or not, I can't say. At least I don't think I delayed the healing process any, and I don't think anything I applied was toxic or harmful. If there had been no improvement, we would certainly have gone straight to the vet.
Incidentally, I also have read references to the ancient Egyptians using honey to sterilize wounds. It's naturally antiseptic and aseptic (I think those are the terms) - i.e. It both kills bacteria and bacteria cannot grow in it. Another possible natural option to consider.
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Re: Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
[Re: AnitaGard ]
#125827 - 01/23/2007 09:10 AM |
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The best treatment for hot spots that I have ever found, can amazingly be found in the pet spot in most grocery store aisles. "Sulfadene" is made by Hartz (I know - gasp) and you just dab it on there with finger or cotton ball - it tastes nasty so they stop licking, and it dries the hot spot up very quickly. It works GREAT.
molly
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Re: Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
[Re: Molly Graf ]
#125829 - 01/23/2007 09:35 AM |
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My first gsd used to get hot spots a lot on his rear...as he LOVED to lay in the small pool of water!
Hot spots are actually pretty easy to get rid of. First choice to try and dry it out is apple cider vinegar and water spray. 1/2 and 1/2 is good but somtimes that is 'strong' and some dogs don't like it. Spray the mixture on the sore. (it helps to dry it out).
Then put on the spot goldenseal. You can get this in a health food store. Most common way is in capsules. You open up a capsule and put the powder on the hot spot. You can do this as often as you like. Goldenseal is a natural topical antibiotic and anti infection. I buy it in powder form ($640.00 a lb!!!). That sounds incredible until you consider that you don't need much powder. I bought 25.00 worth and put it in a small bottle that I can 'spurt' it out the top of. WORKS wonderful!!!
My old dog that I lost in October had a HUGE hot spot on her rear that I did not notice at first (so much fur). I cried when I found it. I cut away all the hair and then put on the goldenseal. 3 days later I took her to my homeopathic vet (it was a weekend when I found it). My vet could not believe how well it had already healed. The spot was so bad that it was infected but thanks to the goldenseal I prevented it from continuing and it was already healing. Did not have to give antibiotics. Went away within a week.
The hard part is keeping the dog from licking the sore. This makes it worse, helps it to spread and keeps it from healing.
If you can stop the itching...they usually stop chewing it. Both the above should work for that.
If you want to go a allopath route, one of THE BEST products I have ever used to get rid of and heal hot spots is a powder called Eye and Wound. A vet needs to prescribe it.
Shelley
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Re: Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
[Re: Shelley J.A. Fritzke ]
#125862 - 01/23/2007 11:41 AM |
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topical antibiotic, then "Bitter Apple" spray or "Listerine" check the diet and make sure the pupper can dry out. Had the same problem here, Southern states stay humid ten to eleven months a year
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Re: Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
[Re: Dennis Jones ]
#125929 - 01/23/2007 05:14 PM |
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Definitely shave the area. The hair just keeps the moisture in and makes it worse. My gsd had a hot spot on the end of his tail that started from a fire ant bite then became a hot spot and lasted until I decided I'd shave part of his tail and the spot to get some air in there. It worked and I didn't even use any meds. The spot dried up, scabbed over and healed.
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Re: Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
[Re: Alison Mayo ]
#125944 - 01/23/2007 06:22 PM |
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DON"T SHAVE it...this can cause a burn and more itching! Cut away all the hair!!
Shelley
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Re: Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
[Re: Shelley J.A. Fritzke ]
#125945 - 01/23/2007 06:31 PM |
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seconded on the hair cutting, carefully with scissors
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Re: Any suggestions for hot spot on tail?
[Re: Dennis Jones ]
#125946 - 01/23/2007 06:38 PM |
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Use sulfadene and I don't cut any hair - dries it up in no time. It truly works the best of anything I've seen or tried.
molly
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