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View Full Version : What to do about HOT SPOTS???

lisarld
10-14-05, 09:44 AM 10-14-05
I just brought my fathers dog back home to Tennessee with us after he passed away. She is an 11 year old Jack Russel/Rat Terrier cross. She is overweight (we are working on that) but lately I noticed her biting and scratching more than usual. I checked her for fleas and didnt find any. Instead, she has a red scaly rash on her elbows and inside her back legs as well as by her ears. I recoginized it as Hot Spots (something my german sheperd once had).

So, I purchased something called SULFODENE to put on it, and it seems to be helping a little.

Anyone have any better advice on what I can do to treat this?
CTChin
10-14-05, 11:10 AM 10-14-05
It doesn't really sound like hot spots. Are the areas oozing? Witch Hazel may help> It's a good antiseptic and is good for hot spots if that is what it is. Is taking her to a vet an option?
splorkyman
10-14-05, 11:17 AM 10-14-05
omg Im sorry about ur dad :(
ramba
10-14-05, 03:11 PM 10-14-05
i would advise a diet change. are you on something natural? she could be having an intolerance to a common allergen like corn or dairy, or simply not doing well on the protiens and grains she's eating.
CTChin
10-14-05, 04:52 PM 10-14-05
A diet change is a good idea but if she has a skin infection that needs to be treated.
lisarld
10-14-05, 06:13 PM 10-14-05
The areas look clean and dry, and since beginning to use the Sulfodene 2 days ago, I notice a decrease in the amount of redness and her desire to "chew" on her own fur.
As far as food, we feed her Nutro Natural Choice lamb and rice, which is a huge improvment from the table scraps shes been eating her entire life. She is doing well on the food and I even notice that her fur isnt as coarse and seems to be smoothing out. She is loosing a little weight too.
If the rash doesnt improve or start to dissapear, I will take her to the Vet. I just assumed it was hot spots and figured if I could treat it at home like I used to with my big dog, it would save me a trip to the Doctor.
Seems like she has the greatest relief right after I apply it. And that seems to last for a few hours before she starts occasionally scratching again.

And thank you for your words about my father. He was my best friend, I miss him more than I can say. But, he loved this dog, and I feel like as long as I have her, I have a piece of him too.