Question:
I have a 2 year old male Golden Retriever. His name is BJ. He seems to be obsessed with his leg! About 7 months ago he chewed at it so much, the hair was completely gone, about the size of a quarter or a little bigger. I know about these "hot spots" and I guess that is what is going on here. Now he has done it again. He licks at it almost continously! Does anybody have any suggestions? Our vet said he's bored and that Goldens are famous for this.

Answer:
My guess would be allergies or stress. Did you put your dog in boarding, at the groomers, leave it at a strange place, or with strangers? Has your lifestyle changed recently? Food allergies, there are tests that the vet can do, scraping. And, if all else fails, there are specialists in allergies for pets. Good luck.

Answer:
My sister has a GR as well. He has the exact same problems. Although the lamb and rice formula from the vets seems to help, he still needs quartizone shots.

Answer:
To relieve the itching benadryl to help. My Golden has 3 per day to help with mange.

Answer:
Benadryl helps with hot spots? Really? Cool! I'll have to pass that on to a friend with a Golden pup who's recently developed some spots. Is that the children's formula? Thanks!

Answer:
Thanks, Dinah. He has been to the vet and is otherwise fine.

So, Goldenblaze, it is probably allergies, or stress. Giving him a couple of doses of Benadyl can't hurt him, can it? If it is allergies, she will see an improvement. If it doesn't help, then she'll know it's stress related, right? Should it be the children's formula?

Answer:
Thanks for the responses so far. We have tried the Benadryl route--it doesn't really help. I don't believe it's allergies. I believe it's a boredom thing. Our golden does not like to be alone at all. Some days he's only alone for 2 or 3 hours, but it must feel like eternity to him! Right now we're putting the "cone" on him while we are away so he can't get at his leg and while we are at home we watch him closely.

Answer:
Amy, sorry this is a long post, but well worth a read. This is from a very knowledgeable person that I would trust.

Heather
************************************************** ***

OUT, OUT DARN HOT SPOT

Hot Spot Action Sheet

You make an appointment with your veterinarian, because your dog is chewing
incessantly at some wet, raw looking skin lesion, and it seems to be
noticeably bigger than it was, just hours ago. This is getting to look
nasty. You show it to your neighbour, and they say, your dog has a Hot
Spot. ³What the heck is that?², you ask.

Hot Spots, also known as Summer Sores or Moist Eczema, can seemingly appear
spontaneously, anywhere on your dog¹s body, and the area involved, can grow
rapidly. This moist, raw skin disorder, has a variety of causes, but the
most consistent factor is bacteria. Anything that irritates or breaks the
skin, can create the environment for bacterial contamination, if the skin
has just a bit of moisture on it. That moisture can be present from a
recently given bath, from swimming, to simply being out in the rain, or even
rolling in wet grass. Whatever the cause, Hot Spots can be a real nuisance,
and the summer months really seem to increase their frequency.

Thanks to Dr. T.J. Dunn, DVM, who provided us with this concise definition
of what a hot spot is. Dr. Dunn, is the Director of Veterinary Services for
www.ThePetCenter.com. On his web site, you will find over 200 pages of dog
and cat health care information, written by veterinarians.

You can also find lots of valuable information at the GRIC (Golden
Retrievers in Cyberspace) web site, at
www.golden-retriever.com/contents.html. Scroll down to the Skin/Allergy
Section.

To help you help your dogs, we hope that you will make use of this Hot Spot
Action Sheet, which is packed full of a variety of remedies, old and new,
many tried and true, but remember, just as we are individuals, so are our
wonderful animal companions. This is just a partial list of remedies!

Calendula Tincture: You can purchase Calendula from a health food store.
Put 10 drops of Calendula in 1/2 cup of distilled water. Put this in a
spray bottle, and spray it on the hot spot several times per day. It is not
necessary to shave the area first. You can also consider Calendula based
products, e.g., Thompson¹s Calendula Cream, Boiron Calendula Gel, or Herb
Hill Calendula Plus.

Some people swear by Chlorhexiderm Medicated Shampoo, for skinfold
dermititis, and as a preventative for hot spots. It is an antifungal
shampoo. A medicated soap that is very popular, and is a personal
favourite, is called Hibitane, which is available from many veterinarians,
or from your local pharmacy. Don¹t be put off by its red colour. Pour a
bit of soap directly onto the hot spot, rubbing it in well, but gently.
Using a washcloth, soaked in warm water, make sure you remove all residual
soap, and then dry the area very well. Do this a couple of times per day.
You should see a noticeable improvement within 24 hours. Lowell Ackermann,
a veterinarian, and well known specialist in skin problems, recommends the
use of a mild water based astringent or antiseptic. Hibitane also comes in
a cream formula.

Many people recommend that you trim the hair around the hot spot, to prevent
the spread of possible infection. This also allows you to see how big the
hot spot actually is, because they can be very deceiving. It is important
to determine, whether a bacterial infection has set in, and this is
especially important now, since we have been experiencing such a hot summer.
Gold Bond Powder is an old standby, especially when the hair has been
trimmed away from the hot spot.

Some hot spots occur as a result of allergies, and sometimes antihistamines,
such as Benadryl, can help to reduce itching, and have a beneficial sedative
effect, that prevents a dog from scratching itself raw. Antihistamines
should only be used at home, for short-term therapy. Benadryl: For dogs
weighing 25 pounds, give 25 mg 3 times daily; for dogs heavier than 50
pounds, give 50 mg, 3 times daily. Often, 25 mg is sufficient to stop the
itch cycle, and provide the dog (and you) with some relief.

Golden Seal Root: You can use the extract, or get capsules from a health
food store, and apply the powder directly to the hot spot. It is a natural
antibiotic, and is used to stop infections, and to kill poisons in the body.

Tea Tree Oil is very popular in the treatment of hot spots. There are many
ointments and sprays available on the market, both in pet product stores
and health food stores, that contain Tea Tree Oil as the primary ingredient.
An effective blend is Tea Tree Oil, Calendula, and Lavender. You can apply
Tea Tree Oil directly to a hot spot, but keep in mind, that some dogs are
sensitive to 100% Tea Tree, particularly small dogs, so dilution is
recommended.

Domeboro (also known as Burow¹s) has been known to be amazing in the
treatment of hot spots. It is available at some pharmacies, and comes in a
pack of 12 powder packets. Domeboro is an aluminum acetate astringent
solution. You simply mix one packet in a cup of water, and stir. Soak the
hot spot every few hours, using cotton balls. The hot spot will dry out and
eventually scab over. Results are usually fast.

Tea works well. Apply a wet and warm black tea bag or green tea bag, to the
hot spot. The tannic acids in the tea, work like cortisone, having a
soothing effect. Hold the bag on the hot spot for 4 to 5 minutes. Do this
2 times each day, for 3 days. Following this, put a little aloe vera gel on
the spot. Some people have had great success, treating hot spots with a
really strong infusion of mint tea. Let it cool, and then bathe the hot
spot frequently. The mint infusion is very soothing, and some swear, that
the spot seems to disappear overnight.

The homeopathic remedy Sulphur (30C), is superb for all manner of skin
ailments, but you really need to do your homework, looking at all of your
dog¹s symptoms, before you use the remedies. If the hot spot smells, then
this remedy may be just what you need for your dog. Rhus Tox (30C) is
another homeopathic remedy, and is for extremely irritated and red skin. It
is best to consult with a veterinarian who specializes in homeopathy.

If you are fortunate enough to live in an area where there is no pesticide
spraying, then you may have something perfect to use for hot spots, right in
your own backyard . . . plantain, which is a broad-leaf weed, that is found
in many of our yards. Plantain reduces redness, inflammation, and itching.
You simply take a leaf, chop it up, mash it into a paste, and then apply the
paste to the hot spot. It generally works very quickly for rashes, lesions,
pimples, and raw areas.

Dream Cream is a wonderful product, that is made by a woman on Salt Spring
Island, in British Columbia. The cream is readily available in many health
food stores in Ontario, or can be ordered from the Aroma Crystal Therapy web
site, at www.aromacrystal.com. It contains essential oils of Peppermint,
Eucalyptus, Lavender, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Tea Tree, and Arnica extract, in a
base of shea butter, purified beeswax, poppyseed oil, and de-ionized water.

Another great product is Dy¹s Liquid Bandage. It is amazing stuff, and does
just what it says. It was originally developed for horses. It is made by
Advanced Biological Concepts at 1-800-373-5971. Dy¹s Liquid Bandage is an
all-natural healing salve. Olive oil and beeswax have been combined to
create the base. This allows the olive oil to carry the healing herbs deep
into the wound, to promote healing from the inside out.

Lucas¹ Papaw Ointment, comes from Brisbane, Queensland, and is only
available, by ordering it on-line at www.nationalpharmacies.com. It is made
from carica papaya, which is simply fresh fermented fruit. Remarkable
healing can be seen within 24 hours, and it is fantastic for sensitive skin.

Sometimes, no matter what you do, you are faced with hot spot after hot
spot, and then it is time to consider other triggers, like food. I know
that a number of us have been in this position, from time to time. There is
a book on the market right now, published right here in Canada, that sheds
light on many things that you may be thinking, but not discussing. The book
is called K9 Kitchen (Your Dog¹s Diet: The Truth Behind the Hype), and it is
written by Monica Segal, who is an expert in animal nutrition, physiology,
parasitology, and disease. If you think that your dog could possibly have a
diet related hot spot problem, this book is for you. Actually, it¹s for
anyone, who wants to cut through all the hype out there, surrounding dogs
and nutrition. You can visit Monica¹s web site at www.doggiediets.com.

These suggestions, are not a substitute for professional veterinary care.
Resources listed here, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent
any disease.

Answer:
Thanks GoldenMom for the info. I will try some of these remedies. We had been putting this natural stuff (I can't remember the name of it right now!) in with his food. It was recommended by our groomer to help with the itching because she said his skin was dry.( Also at our groomers he gets an oatmeal bath and that does help with itching too.) It seemed to work fairly well for awhile, but he's not crazy about the taste of it, I guess, because he wouldn't eat it every night. I'm going to try it again too. I really believe he gets started on this when he's bored and then he can't stop! We'll keep working at it and I sure appreciate all the helpful hints from everyone!

Answer:
Originally Posted by AmyZ
Thanks GoldenMom for the info. I will try some of these remedies. We had been putting this natural stuff (I can't remember the name of it right now!) in with his food. It was recommended by our groomer to help with the itching because she said his skin was dry.( Also at our groomers he gets an oatmeal bath and that does help with itching too.) It seemed to work fairly well for awhile, but he's not crazy about the taste of it, I guess, because he wouldn't eat it every night. I'm going to try it again too. I really believe he gets started on this when he's bored and then he can't stop! We'll keep working at it and I sure appreciate all the helpful hints from everyone!


Amy, I suspect the dogs skin is dry because it is allergic to the food. A switch in food may just make all symptoms disappear. Has your vet suggested that? I highly, highly recommend you switch it. If you want, you can PM me and I can recommend a really good food that is delivered to your door!

Heather and her 3 Golden Girls

Answer:
This is my first reply after regestering. I found this site looking for a remedy for hot spots on my mixed breed dog. She has been to the vet so many times - Cortisone is so harsh and really is only temporary relief. She has even been put of a series of antibiotics. She doesn't have mange or mites that can be found. I am guessing it is allergies. She chews mostly the top of her tail. I recently found something that works! I bought Bag Balm in Wal Mart. It is used for udders on cows. I was desperate and thought I'd give it a try. I put it on her raw tail. She didn't run around like she normally does with sprays that burn. In a day the spot was not red and healing. She has not chewed on it since I have been putting it on. I apply every other day and will stop when completely healed. The down side is that it is very greasy. I cut the hair from the area and then applied. I don't know why it works, but it does. Hope this helps someone. It is so sad to see a dog suffer and chew. My Wilma is doing much better!

Answer: