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Permalink Reply by Marina Holshevnikoff on June 9, 2015 at 2:12pm

I'm sorry to hear about Jeli's hot spot.  I can't imagine how that feels for the dogs.  It would be so awful!  Anything called "moist eczema" has to be terrible.

Jerry had a hot spot in between his paw pads a month ago.  I think the most important thing is to keep it dry and clean.  We had to keep a cone on Jerry while we were gone so he wouldn't lick it and aggravate it more.  Just make sure Jeli isn't picking at it when you're not around to distract her.

Jerry's was on his foot so I did a LOT of washing with soap and water and a couple Epsom salt soaks to help him with the irritation.  Obviously yours is not in a spot where you can do that, but just keep an eye on it to make sure it stays clean!  The healing time ranges, but ours took a good week to clear up noticeably.  Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on June 10, 2015 at 8:48am

I would check with your vet and if she is itching I would also give a Benadryl. It will help the itching.

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Permalink Reply by Vicky Hay on June 10, 2015 at 11:26pm

Could it be an insect bite?

Cassie licks herself a fine hotspot on a lower front leg every spring, when she starts to blow her coat. At first every time this would happen I would run her and me ragged trying to soothe and doctor it. Eventually I realized that none of that did any good. Eventually it would heal up. Then the next time shedding season came around, we'd have an encore. Lately I've been leaving it alone: no difference in the outcome. She has learned to quit licking for a few minutes every time I say "QUIT LICKING!"

There's a hot-spot spray that seems to help a little bit...either that or it tastes bad enough to discourage licking. It's made by Century and is called, originally enough, "Hot Spot Spray."

A little Benadryl may help if you think it's caused by an allergy.

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Permalink Reply by susan on June 11, 2015 at 1:33pm

Thanks all.  It is starting to clear up.  After I went out and bought about $30 dollars worth of various sprays, ointments and creams, my husband said we had some hot spot spray from the vet that hadn't expired yet. {sigh}.    Kind of glad we had it though.  Seems to be doing the trick. 

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Permalink Reply by Holly on June 13, 2015 at 1:20am

Having eczema myself gave me some insight into how easily hot spots can develop. What may be a simple itch can easily turn into a very raw spot because it feels good to scratch it, even if it makes it worse. Benadryl, in my opinion, is the best line of defense for breaking the scratching cycle so the area can heal, otherwise it will get worse and the area of inflammation will grow in size. I have never had to resort to the cone, but an itchy dog has my sympathy. It can be impossible to avoid scratching. The cortisone cream should help as well, as you have, happily, seen. Since many things can trigger licking (even anxiety and minor separation anxiety) I would keep the Benadryl and cortisone on hand in case you notice Jeli focusing on one of her target scratch areas. I hope this is a one time event, but Knowing how to stop the licking and biting can stop it before it takes hold. Glad you have had success!

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on June 13, 2015 at 9:59pm

I also had eczema as a child and scratched my arms till they were raw...I am thinking the Vaseline based salves made it even worse as they didn't dry the area. Don't remember what finally helped. 

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Permalink Reply by Denis J. on June 16, 2015 at 3:06pm

Wally had three of those in a span of one summer last year.
I used a combination of polysporin ointment and another Hot Spot foam spray I got at Pet Smart.

It worked great and reduced the redness in 1-2 days.    The healing was about 1-2 weeks, as it scabbed black over and fell off.   No scars.   Just need to make sure that he does not lick the polysporin, but I would wrap his lower leg with a first aid kit bandage, not too tight, but enough to keep him from removing the ointment.   I would apply it probably twice per day.

He hasn't had any since.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel & Scout on June 21, 2015 at 12:55pm

We found Scout's first hot spot earlier this month. At first, we didn't know what it was, it looked like a scabbed over bug bite. The vet shaved the area (I hate to shave his beautiful coat!) and gave us Genta spray and an oral antibiotic, Cephalexin. Ten minutes after we gave him Cephalexin, Scout started staggering, having trouble standing and vomiting. Panicked, we called the vet and explained his side effects. They said that was common, but we decided to never give that to him again. The Genta spray stung Scout a little but has really helped clear it up, in about 4 days it was practically gone. We also make sure when he is in his crate he doesn't get too hot (no blankets) and has good airflow. Hope Jeli feels better!

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Permalink Reply by susan on June 22, 2015 at 10:47am

Thanks all.  Jeli's spot seems to be cleared up.  One of the sprays we bought at Petco seemed to be the best for keeping her from further licking the area - it contained tea tree oil and aloe.   I think the tea tree oil tastes bitter to them so they don't lick the infected area and make it all worse.   Now I just have to make sure that doesn't happen again!  But they seem to pop up out of the blue! 

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Permalink Reply by Denis J. on June 22, 2015 at 10:56am

I've made a comment before one what I beleived cause Wally injuries for the inside of his right front leg.   I had given him a basketball to play in the fence back yard, as it was the only one he couldn't destroy or pop in 30sec.  (RIP 5-6 others from Soccer Balls, Volleyballs to kid proof school playground heavy duty ball)

He would run to the ball and use his front lets to try to grab it, kick and guide it between his legs.  
His right leg has a little outward bend by the knee and I've detected a "Hot Spot" forming close to that area.  
I would remove the ball to let it heal, as I didn't want him to play with him while that area needs rest.   But it came again quickly after he used the ball again.

I believe the friction from the ball on his right leg was causing some type of Rug Burn, causing the skin to create some heat rash.   Since permanently removing the ball it has never returned and now he plays with a Jolly Egg toy, which has very little friction and he will not destroy it.

So just a quick note to check around those areas if he's playing the same way and rubbing his legs on something rotating/moving.

Glad to hear Jeli is doing better.

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