Vets suggestion? IDK

Jr. Dog Expert · 03-10-2008, 07:41 PM

I get the magazine Dog Fancy every month and I enjoy reading it because there is some useful information every now and then, but there was a hot spot subject that really confused me.

On an issue back last year there was an article that had someone saying that a way to ameliorate hot spots, was by using a mix of original listerine, water, and baby oil, and just mixing equal parts of it. The article said that horse handlers use that for hot spots on horses (unsure if thats true, cause I dont have horses), and that they used it on their Akitas and it worked.

Now there was a recent article that had a vet saying that it was not a good idea to use it because of the alcohol it contained, but he admited to there being antiseptic in it, which is what they use to help dogs with hot spots. He recommended that you go to the vet and get the dog checked, get pills, medication, and other check ups.

While I do agree with the vet that its important to find out the underlying factor that is causing the hot spots, is all that other stuff necessary?

LOL, maybe I'm just being wierd because of some bad vet/ vet scam stories I've been hearing about.

I guess my question is: is it okay to use the mixture of lysterine, water, and baby oil to treat early stages of hot spots?

Dakota Spirit · 03-10-2008, 07:51 PM

I don't know anything about that particular mixture - but I did want to point out one other bit of advice. The original tip for the hot spot mix was given in an issue dating last year, correct? It's likely our understanding of hot spots could has changed since then. The mixture in question may have been found to be damaging rather then healing, a better treatment could have been found, etc. So, it's not entirely surprising that there is a contradiction between the advice given then and what's been printed now.

The bottom line for me is, before ANY home medicating you need to be in contact with your vet.