Question by Lycanthropyyy: Dog Hot Spots? Eczema? ?
My dog has had increased hair loss and sores under her rear legs, and in his forelegs ‘armpits’. Red, puffy skin and sores that look like hot spots. But the insides of his entire rear legs are all red and losing hair. I was thinking it was allergies at first, so I quickly took him off his food and put him back on California Natural because we never had an issue with CN before. But I was wondering, what can I put on these sores and overall his entire underside without poisoning him? I’ve washed his undersides with a wet face cloth the past few days. He’s only been back on California Natural for a few days. But still, what can I put on this to help? If You’d like, I can add pictures. I’ll just have to go take the pictures

They don’t seem to bother him, He does lick at the undersides of his rear legs occasionally, but not constantly. But he did seem to find it soothing when I cleaned his underside and beneath his hind legs with the wet cloth.

Help?
My Mom does use several cleaning products on the floors. I can’t believe I never thought of that! And He lays on the kitchen floor all the time because it’s cool! She uses bleach, which I know is horrible around canines. And she uses several other products. [And About the fillers in the old food, yes there were fillers. My mother decided she would be the one decided what MY dog ate and switched his food while I was away for the summer. I was beyond pissed off.]
In case you were wondering the breed, his a very light colored Labrador Retriever.

Here are old pictures of it, but it looks similar to another picture I’m going to show below them.

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http://i38.tinypic.com/2mq28ba.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/2ls9yls.jpg

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It looks very similar to this:

http://www3.unileon.es/dp/dmv/penf04.jpg

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Food Allergies? If It doesn’t improve in two weeks with the change back to California Natural should I seek veternary attention?

Best answer:

Answer by royal_doxies
Hi!
Did you discuss this with your vet yet? Did the food you were feeding him have corn, wheat, or anything like that? It was probably allergies which your vet can give you Benedryl for and some antibiotics possibly. Like you already figures out, keep your dog on the CN. Also is your dog on flea prevention. Are you sure it is not mange or anything like that?

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Question by cwgirlup2000: Hot spots? Bites? help!?
I have a Husky/Lab and I noticed yesterday that she had some bumps on her skin. I figured that she just got tangled up with a bunch of ant or something of that nature. This morning those bumps turned into little bloody sores. She wants to lick them, but other than that she doesn’t seem that bothered. I shaved the fur from around all of the spots to see them better.

There are about 10 on her (or at least the ones I found) and they are all over her. On her back, under her tail, on her legs, on her belly…just everywhere. She hasn’t had anything new as far as food or treats, and she has never had any known allergies in the past, perfectly healthy 1 1/2 year old dog. Any ideas will help, thank you!
I won’t go to the vet unless her life is in danger. The vet will onlly perscribe benadryl or a cortisone shot, and probably antibiotics that will just drag down her immune system. Im applying Newton’s homeopathics skin relief on it and it seems to help her itching
I just dropped $ 500 on an allergy test for my other dog, and I love my vet but I am not rich. I took her to a friend who is a vet tech and she said they look more like ant bites. If they don’t clear up in a week I will take her to my vet. I highly doubt there are any allergies just because nothing in her food/treats/environment has changed and she hasn’t ever showed any signs before, which is the exact opposite of my other dog who is allergic to just about everything.

Best answer:

Answer by D
Time for the vet.

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Question by proud nerd: dark spots on my dog’s lips?
I have a 3 year old weimaraner who, aside from some minor issues with food allergies, has always been very healthy. Over the past few days, though, I’ve noticed a spot on each side of her mouth (on the upper lip, about halfway down her muzzle) that has become very dark colored. It isn’t swollen, it isn’t bleeding, and it doesn’t seem to hurt her at all. Should I be worried? I generally stick to the rule that if she’s eating, drinking, sleeping, and pooping normally, I don’t worry too much about it. But this seems so odd, I was concerned that I should check into it. Thanks in advance for your input!

Best answer:

Answer by Jojo
If it’s on her fur, I wouldn’t be worried about it.
Something probably just stained her fur.
If it’s the skin beneath it, it could just be a developing mole or liver spot (yes, dogs get those, too).
I would suggest calling your vet and talking to them, but it’s probably nothing life-threatening.

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Question by KayeJohn: Are my dog’s hot spots getting better or worse?
My dog was recently diagnosed with allergies and suffered through a pretty nasty hot spot right above her tail. The vet gave her a steroid shot (this was roughly two or three weeks ago) to help her cope and I treated the hot spot at home with an antiseptic spray and natural oils (aloe vera, witch hazel, etc.) She was very much relieved, I definitely saw a huge improvement, and I thought the raw area had begun to scab over and heal once I saw some crusty bits in her fur.

Unfortunately, just tonight she began acting restless, and licked the area raw within an hour. There’s no fur around the hot spot any more and I can clearly see the angry red skin. I cleaned the area and used the medicated sprays again to stop her from licking and gnawing, but what does this mean? Did the steroids wear off or was a nasty scab itching her? Should I risk taking her in to the vet in case he recommends more steroids or is there more I should do to treat her at home?

She’s napping just fine now, about thirty minutes after I applied the antiseptic and oils. The hot spot still looks angry and gross though.
Ah thanks, I was afraid of that. I didn’t think her diet would be an issue because I’ve always fed her food with protein as the first ingredient. She’s seven years old and this was her first noticeable reaction of this sort. I had guessed that her allergy stemmed from bug bites since her hot spot coincided with a trip to the family farm. Does this mean my house now has fleas lurking somewhere that keep bothering her? If she is allergic to fleas, would it have been possible not to notice for seven years?

Best answer:

Answer by MamaBas
Yes, the benefit of the steroid shot has probably worn off. In any case, it may be better to look to the cause, much as relief is needed. And maybe antibiotics are needed, to help it heal if it’s an open wound. Perhaps you should look for another feed (switching gradually), one with a low protein level, and no cereal. But yes, get back to the vet. If nothing else, he should log that the steroid treatment hasn’t totally sorted the problem out.

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Question by asweetangelseyes: Does your dog have allergies/hot spots… my dog was on science diet and I switched to Canidae.. experiences?
I rescued my pit from the humane society last month. She was underfed/underweight due to neglect. The humane society had her on science diet. They told me her little bald patches were not mange (she was tested) due to alopecia or stress. They said after regular feeding on the food, we should see her hair come back (less stress, exercise, love, etc.)… well, I didnt see improvement and then someone at the petstore advised me it looked like she has hot spots.One of the girls at petsmart told me she had the same issue with her dogs… and recommended canidae. I figured it is possible the dog is allergic to wheat/by products, fillers and crap… so I am in the process of switching her to canidae from her science diet. I also restrict her treats to all natrual (mother hubbard, etc.) I want to knowhow others in the same situation and how your dog improved? other advice ideas for topical treatment? i bought some hot spot (tea tree oil spray) for her as well.. what else can i do, no drugs!
The dog did not/does not have fleas or any skin parasites. She had a skin scrape and was tested by the vet.

Best answer:

Answer by star
You know you may try lean hambugar and rice 4 a while. THAt what my mon did 4 about 6 weeks. HE dog seemed to get better.

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