[Murphys Dad]

Hi, all! Does anyone have any suggestions for successful treatment of "hot spots"? Maggie has had one on her butt, near the top of her tail on one side, since her anal gland surgery last October. We have tried cortisone creams, Melaseb spray, Betagen spray, scubbing every other day with antiseptic (do not recall name), etc. Not only is spot not getting better, Maggie now has the beginnining of a similar spot on the other side of her tail as well as one below her anus -- that one looks bright red. My vet and I are at a loss. At the suggestion of my vet, I had a consult with a dermatologist in January but it was very non-productive. Has anyone ever had a biopsy of these areas done? Useful? I am concerned that the lack of healing on the "hot spots" is related to Cushings but, at the same time, the hair on her belly has grown back since her ultrasound in January so this seems contradictory to me -- just like all her Cushings tests have been!

 

[Mom of 2 Beagles]

Gentamicin/Betamethasone-Topical (Gentocin® Topical Spray)

Hey you tried this? It is a strong spray on anti-biotic and has cortisone in it for itching. I don't remember if we used it on hot spots but we used it on Sadie's belly when she would break out from contact dermatitis.

 

[Lynne]

I think my cat has heat 2 spots...Hey Mom of 2.. is that med. over the counter..also..what exactly is contact Derm.....One of my Beagles (Boo) seems to be scatching everytime she hits the grass.....

 

[BookerMoose]

One of my coworkers has an elderly golden retriever who is prone to hot spots - they have tried absolutely everything through the vet and otherwise and the one thing that has worked better than anything else for her is tea tree (sp?) oil... I don't know anything about it but my friend swears by it.

 

[Mom of 2 Beagles]

Lynne, no it is not over the counter. We get it at the vet's office. It works great on any sort of a boo boo, sore and works great on contact dermatitis.

 

[cheerio]

If you are refering to Licksores, there are no real treatment. It is a habit just like children who bit their nails. Removing the stressor is the most successful treatment but often the most difficult since it is not always easy to isolate it. And in her case, it probably came form the itching after the surgery.
If the dog always lick on the same area and only one or 2 areas, no more, put an elizabethan collar so that the dog cannot lick it until the licksore is entirely gone. This will take a few weeks. But on the plus side, the longer it takes the more likely she will have forgotten her licking habit.
While using the collar, you can then used creams, and there are a number to help the healing. But remember, if you do not leave the collar long enough she is likely to revert to her licking.