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Post by Mary Ann on May 17, 2009 22:21:55 GMT -5
My friend P had an interesting one yesterday. She said that she had a few GSDs years ago that got terrible hot spots every year. She would take them to the vet, who would clip the area and administer some ointment, which the dog would of course lick off over time. Cost was about $50 each time. And it didn't do all that much good. She was told by another serious dog person about this remedy. She was told to take a half a cup of boiling water, and put in a tea bag and allow it to steep until it was cold, then throw away the tea bag. Then, to take a piece of cotton or paper towel and dunk it in the tea, and then blot it on the hot spot. It acts as an astringent and dries it up without causing the dog to want to go after 'cleaning' it. Apparently it relieves the itching, too. She tried it and she says it's one of the best tips she's ever gotten. With all the rescues she's had through the years, she's had plenty of chances to put it to the test. I thought I'd pass it along, now that the itchy season's coming.  |
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Post by AmberC on May 17, 2009 22:29:16 GMT -5
Sounds like a good tip! My groomer also swears by Gold Bond powder. I did that for Little Man and it stopped the itching almost immediately.
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Post by Mary Ann on May 18, 2009 5:54:56 GMT -5
I'll have to try that one too, Amber! Ribi gets an itchy belly in the summertime. Not to the point of hot spots, but it's itchy and irritated.
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Post by AmberC on May 18, 2009 6:17:02 GMT -5
I bet it would help her. It's got ingredients taht are supposed to soothe itchy skin, so there's no reason why it wouldn't. And there'd be so little left on the skin that I can't imagine it being enough to hurt if it were licked off. I know Little Man quit digging immediately when I put it on him.
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Post by Marci on May 18, 2009 13:02:01 GMT -5
Wow cool. Since I have done the flea treatment to my house I haven't had any skin problems at all. 20 mule team borax RULES! LOL
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Post by Littljoe on May 18, 2009 17:55:41 GMT -5
I've always had really good results with Sulfodene. It's greasy and smells like sulfur (duh!) but it works quickly and speeds healing. And, probably because it tastes so terrible, the dogs don't lick it off. Cheaper than going to the vet, too!
--LJ
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Post by janepain on May 19, 2009 19:09:40 GMT -5
MA - could you move this post over to the useful stuff column? I'm sure I'll be looking for it sometime!
Thanks!
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Post by Mary Ann on May 19, 2009 20:35:37 GMT -5
Gotcha, Jane!
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Post by Frostym on May 26, 2009 7:36:04 GMT -5
My dog had hot spots year around, not just in the warm months. The only thing that helped him was changing him to a non allergic dog food. We use Natural Balance, but what you want to have is a dog food that only has two main ingredients- one protein, one carbohydrate. Our dog loves venison and brown rice. Many dogs' systems can't process lots of types of food mixed up.
Our dog boarder gave me this hint. It works for Lightnin'! Hope it works for your pup. My child had food allergies so I learned from him to check for that first.
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Post by AmberC on May 26, 2009 12:08:20 GMT -5
I know MA already uses an allergy forumla. I think poor Ribi is just allergic to a lot of things! Mine are on a grain free food (Taste of the Wild) and everybody except poor Little Man are doing great. I'm not sure what is up with him  |
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Post by pamz on May 26, 2009 15:56:56 GMT -5
I have always had good luck with Sulfodene liquid. I had GS growing up as a kid and they are prone to hot spots. We always used Sulfodene on them, not the shampoo, just the liquid which you dab on once or twice a day. Our little Westie occasionally starts to get one and as soon as I see him start bothering, I dab on the Sulfodene. Usually only two or three days of it and he's fine. I think it's an astringent also. It takes away the itch and dries it right up. You can buy it right in the pet section at places like Walmart.  |
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