Allergies cause hot spots or hot spots causes itching?

Pasofino

My newest rescue has hot spots and itches like crazy. He is 12 years old and I have no idea what his history is...other than his family surrendered him after they had him for 12 years.

The vet gave him steroids, he was fine for a week, then it started again. I could take him back for allergy testing, but I hate to do that, unless it is a last resort.

I put him on Advantix ( all the dogs are already on diatomaceous earth) to make sure it is not a flea allergy, he is on Timberwolf food and fresh fruits and veggies, so I am at a loss to figure out what it is.

He sleeps on a Coolaroo bed, so nothing there to make him itch, he is outdoors when he wants ( we have a doggy door) .

I have used Fungisan on him, Tea Tree oil and a few other topicals but nothing has worked.

Any suggestions?

Arearis

My GSD Buddy gets hotspots every year on the summer monthes. Depending on where you live Humidity could be the problem. His will always clear up with a round of meds from the vet and I buy a smoothing treatment to spray on it. It is all natural so when he goes to chew on it some more the taste of it changes his mind quickly and it does not harm him. I also give him bendryl from time to time of he is itching bad. I also try to keep him bathed and groomed really regular in the summer monthes and keep him inside as much as he will tolerate without destroying the house, if it is really muggy out.

Maggpie

Timberwolf has issued a recall on their foods. http://petsitusa.com/blog/?cat=15

My suggestion is get him on another grain free food, such as Wellness Core or Taste of the Wild or Merrick BG. Also, go to www.calmcoat.com and you can order a free sample of their product and use it on him and see if that helps with his hot spots as well.

Good luck and thank you for rescuing him

5 s corral

hi
i just went through this with one of my shelties he was a mess the steroids did not work then the vet put him on cefalexion antibiotic for 3 weeks and i am happy to say he is hot spot free i also give him flax oil pills 1 time a day
jamie

Willowy

Try probiotics. They have always helped my dogs get over a hotspot. An Omega-3 supplement might do some good, too, but I'd recommend fish oil, not flax seed oil. Dogs utilize animal oils better than plant oils.

For when he has a big hotspot going, try putting a used teabag (regular black tea) on the hotspot....the tannins help it to dry up. You can sponge the tea on directly, too. Apple cider vinegar, both internally and topically, can also help.

Pasofino

Thanks all, I have just bought some Calm Coat, so we will see if it really works.

Poor little fellow is such a sweetie and deserves not to be itching all the time.

Thanks for helping him out.

Great idea about the tea bags...I knew about that, but had forgotten.

So, he is on yogurt, since he was on an antibiotic (hydroxyzine?). I assume that the yogurt has enough Probiotics in it. He is also on live beneficial enzymes, so is that covering all the bases or are there more probio he needs to be on?

I am suspect of supplements since they may not actually be live probios...unless you can recommend one.

Thanks again

Maggpie

Plain yogurt is a great Probiotic

I hope all this works for him.

justinp

How did the Calm Coat work? I am considering buying it as well but would prefer to hear from someone else before I buy it?

spotted nikes

Tinactin powder spray worked for my dog. It is a fungicide, and relieves pain and itchyness.
I tried tea tree oil, Sulfodene and various other things that didn't work.

justinp

I have heard of other people that have used tenactin but I was really hoping to find something all natural. Since he licks his paws alot, I dont want him ingesting chemicals. Thats why I thought Calm Coat would be a good solution. Thanks for the advice though!