Every Summer my doberman/hound dog seems to get a hot spot issue. The problem is so bad that she has already ripped out the fur from her back end from biting and scratching. Its always the same spot each year. The vet gave us this ointment for it, but the stuff never seems to help and I'm tired of wasting the money on something that doesn't work. Who wouldn't be? So fellow dog lovers I ask you, if you have ever had this issue and if perhaps maybe you guys know what actually helps from your own experiences? Be it over the counter things or home remedies, I'm open to options!
♥ I love my Puppy!!♥2012-05-04T20:49:52Z
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Buy some regular Epsom salt at any store, and soak your dog's hot spot in it. I pretty much guarantee that it will help SO MUCH. One of our Pit's used to get CONSTANT Hot Spots, and one day it pretty much just appeared within a matter of 2 hours, and my mom freaked out, because she thought maybe he'd been attacked by a raccoon or something, but we took him to the vet, they wanted to do a number of unnecessary things, and my mom just said no, and we went and soaked him in a bath, and it healed within about 3 or 4 days.
Otherwise, Espree products can be bought in almost any pet store, and they sell a "Hot Spot Foam" with tea tree oil, and that is what we used before the epsom salt baths. So you should really, seriously consider one of these, because I'm sure it will help you and your dog, and save you a lot of money.
Also, just in case, she should be on a food with absolutely no corn, grains, or meat by-products. Grains can cause severe allergies like this, but I really do doubt that food is the issue, since food allergies are usually a constant irritation instead of seasonal, but it may be possible, so just check this possibility first.
Over the Counter solutions: For small hotspots, you can clean it with Betadine - 3 x a day. By the 2nd day I would dilute the Betadine with a little water, you can get a little spray bottle and spray it on.
For a pus filled, oozy hot spot you can use something called Domeboro (it is used for severe diaper rash). It is a powdered antispectic that you dilute with water. Dilute with 1/2 cup cold water. Dip a clean cloth in it and try to keep on the spot for several minutes, keep adding some of the fresh stuff the whole time.
From my Vet (this stuff is fantastic, one of my boys had the hot spot from hell last year, nothing was working). It's called GenOne spray from VetOne.
Oh, and I have always fed premium dog food to my Newfs, plus pro-biotics and supplements.
Sometimes hot spots come from a bug bite, or the dog get's a scratch, it irritates them, they chew on it, bacteria builds up and makes it much worse.