Hello - am new to this group...thanks for being there! Our 2 year old Golden has had 3 hotspots in his young life. The vet treats them with antibiotics, shaving, and sometimes a steroid.

IF I see one starting I'll put Gold Bond powder on the spot (a trick the vet told me), which works beautifully if it's done quickly. The ones I miss seem to turn into huge bald areas...painful for him and me .

He doesn't go swimming...after a bath he won't let me blowdry his fur, so I towel dry it as much as possible. There seems to be no connection between baths and the timing of the hotspot.

Any tips, nutrition ideas, diet supplements, anything you all may have found that helps would be greatly appreciated! Thank you...

Where does he get the hot spots? Is it in area's that his undercoat is really thick?

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I Brew

I've heard that fish oil can help. Here is a link to the one that we give to ours: SALE - Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet 16 oz. - $39.95 - LuckyDogVitamin.com. Her skin and coat have never been better. We also take their people version ourselves and have no complaints on either front. Hope it helps.

Hotspots can be a real annoyance for dog and owner; so I empathize with you.

Bentley is almost 12 yrs. old and was bothered with frequent hotspots the first 4-5 yrs. of his life. We went through the same treatments at the vet that you have.

Finally, on my own and prior to the vet wanting to put him on prednisone, I decided to try changing his diet. What a difference!

He eats grain-free kibble with carbohydrates below 40% (usually closer to 30%) and with fat percentages not below 15% (usually more like 17%). I also give a human grade 3-6-9 gel cap (borage, flax and sardine & anchovy oils) each day.

Every dog is different, but this is what works for us.

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Thank you all. His first really bad hotspot was on his neck where the really thick ruff is...but the second was right on top of his head, poor guy - where the fur is thinner. I'm going to look into the grain percentage of our food. He's on fish oil, but maybe needs something better. Weirdly, his twin sister has never had one! Makes you wonder, right?

I've had goldens for over 20 years and none of them ever had a hot spot. Well, until I get Finn. He's had some digestive issues so the vet put him on Hills Prescription Diet z/d food which is supposed to be allergen-free. Not for Finn! He wasn't on it very long before he started itching like crazy, got a hot spot and then a rash around his groin area. Obviously there was something in the food that didn't agree with him. I stopped using the food and the itching stopped and the hot spot and rash went away. We'll see how it goes in the future with him, but right now I believe the food caused the skin issues.

Good luck with your boy!

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AYLA: Simply put, you were wonderful. (2-16-91 - 11-21-98)
ADDY: My fun, personable & terrific little girl. (4-23-97 - 1-30-11)
ANNIE: How do I know there are absolutely great dogs in shelters? Because that is where I found you. (? 99 - 11-21-09; Gotcha Day: 5-19-01)
RINDY: Thank goodness for rescue organizations, my super sweet girl! (09-01-05; Gotcha Day: 1-8-11)
FINN: I love you bunches, my dear little man. You are such a good boy! (8-25-11)

Jackson was getting hot spots CONSTANTLY until I started giving him organic apple cider vinegar. Since I started doing that (in July) he's only had one, I think because his skin was dry and itchy from the cold weather. The stuff is amazing!!

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“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”


Roger Caras

How much apple cider vinegar do you give daily?

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Add 1 teaspoon to his food each time you feed him.

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Wendy

Now the proud Mom of Renny, gotcha-day 10/19/2012.



My beautiful Lacey, always loved, never forgotten.
- Gotcha Day April 28, 2008 at @3 years old
- Crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, at the age of @8 years old, on Sunday, August 5, 2012

Hot spots can also be a sign of thyroid issues. You may want to have a full panel run (not just T4).... sent out to MSU or Dr. Dodds. Many vets don't realize that low normal for a golden is actually low and needs supplementation. There are many thread on here if you do a search about hypothyroidism. It's easily controlled with medication.

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Betty and the Dallas crew


“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” A. France