Hot Spots - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Cheryl · 07-21-2005, 10:17 AM

arial

Hello, first time member and first time posting! I have a 2 yr. old Yorkie and she has always scratched! I have tried different foods, but a few days ago she developed Hot Spots and they are bad! I do not know what causes them and I had to take her to the Vet., but I have no idea what why she got them! The vet did not go on about what the problem is and I do not want them to come back again! Apprectiate any help!

chachi · 07-21-2005, 10:24 AM

Hello and welcome to yorkietalk. I am not for certain what it is maybe someone else will. It just sounds like some kind of allergy to me.

River · 07-21-2005, 11:54 AM

Hi and welcome! You can get ideas and answers to most anything here, it's great! I have a golden ret that gets hot spots sometime. It starts because she has bad allergies. She starts scratching and chewing and then it's like an obsessive thing and can't stop. If the skin gets irritated it can get like a fungus infection. It's hard to stop the circle once it takes hold. This is what my vet explained to me. The vet usually gives her a shot of antibiotics and an antibiotic salve, and/or a cortisone salve. I'd talk to your vet cuz if you let it go they can get really bad.

Cheryl · 07-21-2005, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

Hi and welcome! You can get ideas and answers to most anything here, it's great! I have a golden ret that gets hot spots sometime. It starts because she has bad allergies. She starts scratching and chewing and then it's like an obsessive thing and can't stop. If the skin gets irritated it can get like a fungus infection. It's hard to stop the circle once it takes hold. This is what my vet explained to me. The vet usually gives her a shot of antibiotics and an antibiotic salve, and/or a cortisone salve. I'd talk to your vet cuz if you let it go they can get really bad.

I did go to the vet and I got some medicine and antibiotics and it got bad in a matter of hours, but I was wondering what it was caused by, so it will not happen again. I had to get the raw areas shaved, and I noticed some vets do not like salves! I may change foods once again! Thanks

DomLee · 07-21-2005, 12:28 PM

Are you sure that the Hot Spots were caused strictly be an allergic reaction to her current food? Could it be possible that it is not food related?

http://www.vetinfo.com/dallergy.html...od%20allergies

How long have you lived in your current place and were there any changes made recently in your surrounding area? (Example: new carpet, new flooring, recently had new landscaping, etc.).

You may want to consider getting a comprehensive allergy test done, just so that you are 100% sure of what is causing the problem.

River · 07-21-2005, 12:40 PM

It doesn't necessarily have to be a food allergy. 2 of my dogs have seasonal allergies. They are allergic to pollens in the air at certain times of the year. My Jack Russel is really seasonal specific, she only itches in the late summer, early fall. She is itchy for about 2 months and when it gets colder she just stops. My golden on the other hand began with seasons, spring and fall, and the older she got the worse it got until she itched all the time. I had her skin tested by a dog dermatologist and she was allergic to just about everything and I had to give her serum injections for about 2 years. She doesn't get the shots any more and doesn't itch nearly as much as she used to.

jesscruz · 07-21-2005, 12:53 PM

welcome to yorkietalk

YorkieRose · 07-21-2005, 01:46 PM

Hot spots can go from a small red spot to the worst sore you have ever seen in a matter of hours.
Fleas are one cause..hot weather can be bad for them..especially under collars or on thick coats.. Tea Tree oil works wonders. Also, you can use Tree oil shampoo after the spot is gone to prevent them.
Good Luck

Cheryl · 07-22-2005, 06:36 AM

Where do you get the Tea Tree shampoo and what is the name? Might work so I will try it!

DomLee · 07-22-2005, 08:26 AM

Paul Mitchell has a "Tea Tree" line of shampoos and conditioners. I know, because I picked some up when I went for my bi-weekly haircut. Then, my girlfriend discovered the stuff...and the next thing you know...she basically hijacked the whole bottle. She uses it on herself and our beloved yorkie.

Here is the product.
http://www.paulmitchell.com/site/sub...ection=2,10,32
http://www.paulmitchell.com/images/l...aTree_care.jpg

I picked some up at my local Supercuts. They were running a promotion of 1 bottle of shampoo and 1 bottle of conditioner for a price of roughly $22 (I think). A little pricey for some, I know..but it was a better deal than purchasing the bottles seperately. That, and you can use them yourself...not just your Yorkie.

Just as a personal note for us, don't use this stuff on your own hair daily. Maybe once every few days or once a week. While the cooling sensation is nice,...it can dry out our scalps if used daily.

Regarding our Yorkies, it leaves my Yorkie's coat to be extremely soft and quite nice. The smell is a "minty" or eucalyptus smell.

Some other companies are selling shampoos w/ Tea Tree oils in them, but Paul Mitchell is the one that I know about.

Cheryl · 07-25-2005, 03:31 AM

I have heard luxating petella is common in small dogs and two vets have told me that surgery is usually necessary in most cases to correct this issue. Has anyone had some experience in this field with their yorkie? I have a two year Yorkie that is 5lbs. 6ozs. and I do notice her back legs going inward some.

YorkieRose · 07-25-2005, 03:42 AM

You can order the oil and shampoo from most dog suppliers like foster Smith..Cherrybrooke, J and B.
As to knees...wehenthe knee caps are luxating the dog limps aor hold the leg up..bowed in is not due to a bad knee. Keep her at her ideal weight and most do not need surgery.

yorkieusa · 07-25-2005, 10:39 AM

Perhaps the following will help:

The term “Hot Spot” is used to describe a sore that dogs get from chewing and scratching themselves because they feel “itchy”. To compare the feeling; it’s like when a human gets bitten by a mosquito and then you start to scratch. You seem compelled to continue scratching until the affected area becomes red, raw, and sometimes bleeding. In the animal and the human this is called an allergic reaction.

Hot spots are technically called “superficial moist dermatitis”. When the pet feels itchy they first try scratching the area. Continued scratching causes the area to become sore and inflated. Then the pet resorts to licking or chewing the area. This entire procedure results in a “hot spot”, especially the biting and licking because of the moisture and saliva from the pet’s mouth. This will further lead to fungus, bacteria, and infection, if the cause is not located and subsequently treated.

There are many causes for hot spots.

Fleas.
Too much protein in the dog’s diet.
Not keeping your pet’s coat clean
A specific food allergy; i.e. corn or wheat or meat or some other food product.
Any of the four causes are not catastrophic. You can treat them yourself. But, just as a doctor insists you finish every antibiotic of your prescription, treatment of a hot spot means being consistent and un-relenting.

If it’s fleas a little time and effort can remedy this. There are many new products on the market to help ensure that fleas won’t affect your dog. (These products help to prevent fleas from ever invading your dog. Check with your Veterinarian and/or your local pet shop.) However, if your dog has an existing problem, before you can put one of these new products on your dog you’ll have to do a few things. You’ll have to give your dog a flea bath (done by yourself or by a professional groomer). You’ll need to spray your yard with a good (environmentally safe) yard flea spray. If your dog is in the house you’ll need to spray this too. If your dog is taken to a groomer for the flea bath, be sure that after you drop him off you either spray inside your car or set off a flea bomb in your car. Remember, you traveled a dog with fleas on him in that car, so it’s pretty obvious that he dropped a flea or two in you car.

If there is too much protein in your dog’s diet, that too, is an easy remedy. Most dogs are fed a diet that is too high in protein. Unless a dog is a true working animal (Police Dog, sled dog, working farm dog) there is no reason to give that dog a food higher in protein than 20% to 24%. A dog that is getting more protein than he can burn up ends up with excessive protein in his system. This means that this left over protein burns up in the dog’s system causing the dog to itch. The more he scratches, the more likely he will develop a hot spot.

If you brush your pet’s coat a minimum of two times a week, you will certainly lessen your dog’s chances of getting a hot spot. It doesn’t matter whether your pet has short hair or long. You simply use a different type of brush. Under normal circumstances you can bathe your pet once or twice a month, depending on whether or not he is being brushed on a regular basis and whether or not your pet is being kept in a clean environment.

The fourth possible cause of a hot spot is a little more complex. Your Veterinarian, through a simple blood test, can determine possible food allergies.

Until you determine what has caused the hot spot, you’ll need to not delay in treating the problem. Start by cleaning the affected area thoroughly with hydrogen peroxide. Apply a cortisone cream to the affected area. (You can purchase this cream at your local drugstore.) This will help to stop the itching. Usually this cream offers a bitter taste to the dog that wants to lick. However, if your dog happens to like this taste, sprinkle a little bit of foot powder on the area. This product usually has sulphur in it and tastes very bitter. It will also help to dry up the sore

Many veterinarians like to use any number of steroids to treat the problem. Some of these might be: “Cortisone” - “Prednisalone” - or “Prednisone”. All of these drugs do help to stop the itching, but they should be given minimally. If given for long periods of time they could cause your pet to dissipate their own natural body cortisone or antibodies. Overuse of steroids can also possibly cause some kidney or liver damage. Many veterinarians prefer to “drip” these products directly onto the hot spot. Don’t be afraid to discuss your concerns about the use of steroids with your veterinarian. You should know by now that your pet is important to him too.

There are so many good products that can be purchased right over the counter to remedy this problem in your pet that your beloved friend need not suffer for any long period of time. By brushing your pet on a steady basis you soon learn to be “on the lookout” for anything out of the ordinary on the dog’s body. If a hot spot is found, start treatment immediately. This way you’ll be eradicating the situation before it gets out of control.

Remember that a symptom always has a cause and, helping to eliminate the cause is within your reach, both financially and physically. Your pet does not have to suffer needlessly

http://www.dpca-breedered.com/hotspots.htm

Ringo · 07-25-2005, 03:07 PM

Hi Cheryl...I'm dealing this, also. From what I have read, the main thing to do is keep the area dry and clean. Ringo was being obsessive so I thought about getting an Elizabethan collar....then I came up with the idea to put a shirt on him. I went to the store and bought some white cotton infant tshirts. I first put some cornstarch on the hotspot and he seemed to like that and then I put on the shirt. He loved the shirt! It was funny. His spot is under his arm around his chest area, so I rolled it up so he could use the bathroom with no problem. Anyway....I'll tell you how that goes. If this doesn't work then, I'm looking into getting some stuff called Neo-predef powder...it's an antibiotic and topical steroid. I don't want to use any steroid products on him, but I may have to. I think his started with an itch from a yeast or bacteria infection or possibly started by bug bites or allergies. That's a whole other thing I'm dealing with. I supposedly have him on a great food. It's Innova....but now I worry about too much protein. Argh! Good luck!

Ringo · 07-26-2005, 03:13 AM

Cheryl....update....Ringo didn't mess with his spot all night because of the tshirt and the cornstarch has dried it up. It should heal nicely. It's worth a try. I found a website where people suggested 1/2 cornstarch and 1/2 boric acid. I DID NOT use boric acid. Surely, this stuff is fatal to small dogs. Anyway...the cornstarch was the drying agent and it is working.

07-21-2005, 10:17 AM	#1
Cheryl Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Conroe TX Posts: 71	Hot Spots arial Hello, first time member and first time posting! I have a 2 yr. old Yorkie and she has always scratched! I have tried different foods, but a few days ago she developed Hot Spots and they are bad! I do not know what causes them and I had to take her to the Vet., but I have no idea what why she got them! The vet did not go on about what the problem is and I do not want them to come back again! Apprectiate any help!

07-21-2005, 10:24 AM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Hello and welcome to yorkietalk. I am not for certain what it is maybe someone else will. It just sounds like some kind of allergy to me. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

07-21-2005, 12:53 PM	#7
jesscruz YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: seaside,ca Posts: 1,763	welcome to yorkietalk __________________ mommy's little baby coco bear

07-21-2005, 01:46 PM	#8
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	hot spots Hot spots can go from a small red spot to the worst sore you have ever seen in a matter of hours. Fleas are one cause..hot weather can be bad for them..especially under collars or on thick coats.. Tea Tree oil works wonders. Also, you can use Tree oil shampoo after the spot is gone to prevent them. Good Luck

07-22-2005, 08:26 AM	#10
DomLee YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 300	Paul Mitchell has a "Tea Tree" line of shampoos and conditioners. I know, because I picked some up when I went for my bi-weekly haircut. Then, my girlfriend discovered the stuff...and the next thing you know...she basically hijacked the whole bottle. She uses it on herself and our beloved yorkie. Here is the product. http://www.paulmitchell.com/site/sub...ection=2,10,32 http://www.paulmitchell.com/images/l...aTree_care.jpg I picked some up at my local Supercuts. They were running a promotion of 1 bottle of shampoo and 1 bottle of conditioner for a price of roughly $22 (I think). A little pricey for some, I know..but it was a better deal than purchasing the bottles seperately. That, and you can use them yourself...not just your Yorkie. Just as a personal note for us, don't use this stuff on your own hair daily. Maybe once every few days or once a week. While the cooling sensation is nice,...it can dry out our scalps if used daily. Regarding our Yorkies, it leaves my Yorkie's coat to be extremely soft and quite nice. The smell is a "minty" or eucalyptus smell. Some other companies are selling shampoos w/ Tea Tree oils in them, but Paul Mitchell is the one that I know about. Last edited by DomLee; 07-22-2005 at 08:31 AM.

07-21-2005, 11:54 AM	#3
River Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: PA Posts: 188	Hi and welcome! You can get ideas and answers to most anything here, it's great! I have a golden ret that gets hot spots sometime. It starts because she has bad allergies. She starts scratching and chewing and then it's like an obsessive thing and can't stop. If the skin gets irritated it can get like a fungus infection. It's hard to stop the circle once it takes hold. This is what my vet explained to me. The vet usually gives her a shot of antibiotics and an antibiotic salve, and/or a cortisone salve. I'd talk to your vet cuz if you let it go they can get really bad.

07-21-2005, 12:28 PM	#5
DomLee YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 300	Are you sure that the Hot Spots were caused strictly be an allergic reaction to her current food? Could it be possible that it is not food related? http://www.vetinfo.com/dallergy.html...od%20allergies How long have you lived in your current place and were there any changes made recently in your surrounding area? (Example: new carpet, new flooring, recently had new landscaping, etc.). You may want to consider getting a comprehensive allergy test done, just so that you are 100% sure of what is causing the problem.

07-21-2005, 12:40 PM	#6
River Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: PA Posts: 188	It doesn't necessarily have to be a food allergy. 2 of my dogs have seasonal allergies. They are allergic to pollens in the air at certain times of the year. My Jack Russel is really seasonal specific, she only itches in the late summer, early fall. She is itchy for about 2 months and when it gets colder she just stops. My golden on the other hand began with seasons, spring and fall, and the older she got the worse it got until she itched all the time. I had her skin tested by a dog dermatologist and she was allergic to just about everything and I had to give her serum injections for about 2 years. She doesn't get the shots any more and doesn't itch nearly as much as she used to.

07-22-2005, 06:36 AM	#9
Cheryl Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Conroe TX Posts: 71	Where do you get the Tea Tree shampoo and what is the name? Might work so I will try it!

07-25-2005, 03:31 AM	#11
Cheryl Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Conroe TX Posts: 71	knee cap problems I have heard luxating petella is common in small dogs and two vets have told me that surgery is usually necessary in most cases to correct this issue. Has anyone had some experience in this field with their yorkie? I have a two year Yorkie that is 5lbs. 6ozs. and I do notice her back legs going inward some.

07-25-2005, 03:42 AM	#12
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	knees You can order the oil and shampoo from most dog suppliers like foster Smith..Cherrybrooke, J and B. As to knees...wehenthe knee caps are luxating the dog limps aor hold the leg up..bowed in is not due to a bad knee. Keep her at her ideal weight and most do not need surgery.

07-25-2005, 10:39 AM	#13
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	Perhaps the following will help: The term “Hot Spot” is used to describe a sore that dogs get from chewing and scratching themselves because they feel “itchy”. To compare the feeling; it’s like when a human gets bitten by a mosquito and then you start to scratch. You seem compelled to continue scratching until the affected area becomes red, raw, and sometimes bleeding. In the animal and the human this is called an allergic reaction. Hot spots are technically called “superficial moist dermatitis”. When the pet feels itchy they first try scratching the area. Continued scratching causes the area to become sore and inflated. Then the pet resorts to licking or chewing the area. This entire procedure results in a “hot spot”, especially the biting and licking because of the moisture and saliva from the pet’s mouth. This will further lead to fungus, bacteria, and infection, if the cause is not located and subsequently treated. There are many causes for hot spots. Fleas. Too much protein in the dog’s diet. Not keeping your pet’s coat clean A specific food allergy; i.e. corn or wheat or meat or some other food product. Any of the four causes are not catastrophic. You can treat them yourself. But, just as a doctor insists you finish every antibiotic of your prescription, treatment of a hot spot means being consistent and un-relenting. If it’s fleas a little time and effort can remedy this. There are many new products on the market to help ensure that fleas won’t affect your dog. (These products help to prevent fleas from ever invading your dog. Check with your Veterinarian and/or your local pet shop.) However, if your dog has an existing problem, before you can put one of these new products on your dog you’ll have to do a few things. You’ll have to give your dog a flea bath (done by yourself or by a professional groomer). You’ll need to spray your yard with a good (environmentally safe) yard flea spray. If your dog is in the house you’ll need to spray this too. If your dog is taken to a groomer for the flea bath, be sure that after you drop him off you either spray inside your car or set off a flea bomb in your car. Remember, you traveled a dog with fleas on him in that car, so it’s pretty obvious that he dropped a flea or two in you car. If there is too much protein in your dog’s diet, that too, is an easy remedy. Most dogs are fed a diet that is too high in protein. Unless a dog is a true working animal (Police Dog, sled dog, working farm dog) there is no reason to give that dog a food higher in protein than 20% to 24%. A dog that is getting more protein than he can burn up ends up with excessive protein in his system. This means that this left over protein burns up in the dog’s system causing the dog to itch. The more he scratches, the more likely he will develop a hot spot. If you brush your pet’s coat a minimum of two times a week, you will certainly lessen your dog’s chances of getting a hot spot. It doesn’t matter whether your pet has short hair or long. You simply use a different type of brush. Under normal circumstances you can bathe your pet once or twice a month, depending on whether or not he is being brushed on a regular basis and whether or not your pet is being kept in a clean environment. The fourth possible cause of a hot spot is a little more complex. Your Veterinarian, through a simple blood test, can determine possible food allergies. Until you determine what has caused the hot spot, you’ll need to not delay in treating the problem. Start by cleaning the affected area thoroughly with hydrogen peroxide. Apply a cortisone cream to the affected area. (You can purchase this cream at your local drugstore.) This will help to stop the itching. Usually this cream offers a bitter taste to the dog that wants to lick. However, if your dog happens to like this taste, sprinkle a little bit of foot powder on the area. This product usually has sulphur in it and tastes very bitter. It will also help to dry up the sore Many veterinarians like to use any number of steroids to treat the problem. Some of these might be: “Cortisone” - “Prednisalone” - or “Prednisone”. All of these drugs do help to stop the itching, but they should be given minimally. If given for long periods of time they could cause your pet to dissipate their own natural body cortisone or antibodies. Overuse of steroids can also possibly cause some kidney or liver damage. Many veterinarians prefer to “drip” these products directly onto the hot spot. Don’t be afraid to discuss your concerns about the use of steroids with your veterinarian. You should know by now that your pet is important to him too. There are so many good products that can be purchased right over the counter to remedy this problem in your pet that your beloved friend need not suffer for any long period of time. By brushing your pet on a steady basis you soon learn to be “on the lookout” for anything out of the ordinary on the dog’s body. If a hot spot is found, start treatment immediately. This way you’ll be eradicating the situation before it gets out of control. Remember that a symptom always has a cause and, helping to eliminate the cause is within your reach, both financially and physically. Your pet does not have to suffer needlessly http://www.dpca-breedered.com/hotspots.htm

07-25-2005, 03:07 PM	#14
Ringo Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 193	Hi Cheryl...I'm dealing this, also. From what I have read, the main thing to do is keep the area dry and clean. Ringo was being obsessive so I thought about getting an Elizabethan collar....then I came up with the idea to put a shirt on him. I went to the store and bought some white cotton infant tshirts. I first put some cornstarch on the hotspot and he seemed to like that and then I put on the shirt. He loved the shirt! It was funny. His spot is under his arm around his chest area, so I rolled it up so he could use the bathroom with no problem. Anyway....I'll tell you how that goes. If this doesn't work then, I'm looking into getting some stuff called Neo-predef powder...it's an antibiotic and topical steroid. I don't want to use any steroid products on him, but I may have to. I think his started with an itch from a yeast or bacteria infection or possibly started by bug bites or allergies. That's a whole other thing I'm dealing with. I supposedly have him on a great food. It's Innova....but now I worry about too much protein. Argh! Good luck!

07-26-2005, 03:13 AM	#15
Ringo Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 193	Cheryl....update....Ringo didn't mess with his spot all night because of the tshirt and the cornstarch has dried it up. It should heal nicely. It's worth a try. I found a website where people suggested 1/2 cornstarch and 1/2 boric acid. I DID NOT use boric acid. Surely, this stuff is fatal to small dogs. Anyway...the cornstarch was the drying agent and it is working.