Help for "hot Spots" in Dogs

Having been a nurse for over 40 years, my knowledge has been helpful to assist in treating a neighbor's older dog. When a lady friend of mind showed me her dog's "hot spot", I became determined to help her with its road to wellness. Over many years of helping people with sore of different types, I now can share this information with you. While I worked first hand, with doctors, by administering treatment, this has helped this mature dog as well. My neighbor's budget could not permit an office call to the local veterinarian so she solicited my help. Dogs have been pets of mine even though I do not have one right now. This mature dog desperately needed help and I was very willing.

Sometimes it is a trial and error for treatment. My suggestion began wtih attempting to prevent the dog from chewing on the affected area. This idea started with an ace wrapped around the dogs abdomen, so he could not reach the affected site. My thought was to stop further irritation by limiting access. The use of an ace bandage allowed the dog to breathe adquately since the ace has some elasticity to it. The dog was annoyed with the application. By the next morning after the ace was applied, the dog had entirely removed the ace bandage from the spot where it was applied. The sore seemed less red, but remained only very slightly improved. I was still determined.

At first the "hot spot" was diagnosed by my neighbor, since she has seen them in the past on this dog. First I suggested trimming the fur from around the red sore. Hair harbors dirt, which could only subtract from the healing. Then a generalized application of hydrogen peroxide followed by an antibiotic ointment was suggested. This was to be applied 3 to 4 times a day. I asked my neighbor to curtain treatment if it did not get better. Much to my dismay, the "hot spot" did not improve as I had hoped. After 2 weeks, plan B had to be implemented to seek some cure.

I recommended bag balm, since many animal owners had great success using this product. I personall used bag balm on my children's diaper rash with healing results. I asked my neighbor to apply bag balm as often as 5 to 6 times a day to the dogs sore. Again I instructed the application to be stopped if there did not seem to be a marked improvement. Once more, after one week, the sore was in fact larger and more pronounced. The dog was in obvious distress as indicated by whining, licking and chewing because of the discomfort.

Finally Dick Van Patten's,Natural Balance, lamb and brown rice dog food was discussed. Changing dog food , to consider an allergy was a thought. Thankfully, after just 5 days, the sore became lighter in color and less pronounced. In a week, the dog was remarkably much improved in all respects. He no longer was whining and now pranced as he walked. The licking or chewing on the area ceased too.

As with people, sometimes diet delivers the help needed to animals as well. Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance, lamb and brown rice dog food is about $30 for a 10 pound bag. This is something to consider for treatment for your dog if similar symptoms exist.