Thanks for the feedback folks.

Hercules is fed premium food, from Natura pet. It is human grade lamb and rice. All natural. No wheat. No preservatives. No dyes. No crap. The best kibble you can get. (Sorry to the BARFers)

Hercules has been on Frontline for two years now to prevent fleas and ticks. When I brush him I always check for ticks or signs of fleas or flea residue and I've never seen it, so I don't think it's topical parasites.

We have some medication to clear it up, but i'd rather not have it happen in the first place. He hasn't had a change in diet or an exposure to anything unfamiliar as far as I'm aware of.

Some of y'all have mentioned medicines. Are these available through the Vet or on-line or where?

Yvette

Yvette, Look for Horse Fly's, My GSD will bite on the spot that he is biten. South Louisiana this time of year they are terrible. We keep a close watch on him to stop him from causing more harm.

Do they spray (fog truck)for mosquito's where you live??

Yvette, What medicene your Vet prescribe?

We used the following: Precribed by Vet.
Removed all hair from around inflamation area.
1. Spray the spot with peroxide, let it dry.
2. Spray GentaVed Topical Spray(antibacterial)
3. Primor 1200 given 1 x daily for 12 days (antibiotic)
4. Prednisine 20 given 1 x daily for 7 days(steroid)

We had very good results, the biggest concern is that the dogs will try to keep licking the inflamed location. Keep this to a minimum and it heals vey well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As far as the diet goes, my female GSD used to get sores on her skin and I was told all sorts of things...Staph skin infections,fleas(which she has never had!!),hot spots, etc.I too had her on all natural human grade Lamb dog food,no anything bad etc..Well,about 6 mos ago I switched to a predominantly barf diet including GREEN TRIPE and she has been sore/itch free ever since.I will swear on a stack of bibles that it was the diet in my girls case!!
She is now 2 1/2.

Jeanette,
It does sound like the diet switch worked for you. I only want to point out one thing, which is that dogs with flea allergy dermatitis only need be bitten ONCE by ONE little flea to have a severe reaction. In cases like that, one would swear that their dog does not have fleas (and they're probably right, their dog has "flea" singular! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ).

Well,as a former dog groomer I can tell you that my dog never had A flea (singular) bite. I am well aware of flea dermatitis and my dog did not have it. Thanks anyway <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I wasn't specifically referring to your dog. I thought I made that clear. I guess not. Oh well, you're welcome anyway! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yvette, my lab used to get horrible hot spots as well. Seemed to mostly happen in the hot summer months...when bugs are the worst of course. According to my vet she was probably being bitten by something and then itching/chewing the spot into an oblivion. I know for certain this particular dog had a bad habit of chasing down bees/wasp in the yard-could be what it was. Whatever the case, I switched to BARF as well (although I've now turned into a lazy barfer and do a 1/2 kibble & 1/2 BARF diet...Royal Canin Natural Holistic Select Kibble) and it cleared up. I have never tried it but did read that a Listerine mixture dabbed over the hotspot helps to clear it up AND that another Listerine mixture sprayed over the dog after bathing will help w/ bug control. Will look for that info. for you tonight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If it is flies and such, I have used the same fly spray for my horse on my dogs. It's also an all natural repellant that works GREAT for horse flies-will get the name of it as well.

Try cutting his protein level back down to 21% or below for the summer.I live in Oklahoma and the summer gets pretty hot especially on longhaired dogs I have been doing this for the last ten years with no hot spots since

Hello,
My dog has a hotspot now as well. She is 1 year old. It seemed like it happened almost overnight. She has little red bumbs all over her back. All together it is about the size of two large fists. It seems like her hair is falling out too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I haven't changed her diet or anything. I think it might be fleas? I sprayed the yard and the house to kill them. I gave her a bath in some medicated shampoo and it seems like it is going away. She did get really hot a few days ago. I guess it could be a heat rash maybe? The bumps were really big and red. I have no idea what caused this though.
Stoner