Again, my apologies if this has been mentioned in a previous thread but as much as I try to read on this site, I can't search all the pages :bowl: Karma has a spot on her left foot that my ex-trainer told me was a hot spot. It took some time to heal because she kept licking it. It was an open wound with no fur. The more different things I put on to try and heal it, the more she licked. I found that if I just left it alone and did not draw attention to it, she stopped licking. Now I've heard it called something else, like a "lick spot." The trainer told me that she has trained many goldens and the ones with hot spots are almost always on the left foot. It's healed now but I am ever vigilant of a new one popping up.
I checked on youtube and found a golden that had a very large hot spot on her head - really ugly and the video stated, (her talking) this is how I got my hot spot - she was at the beach rolling in the dirt, swimming, etc. Well now I am afraid to take my girls to the beach. In our area there is one small area we can take dogs - on a leash - to play at the beach. My wife keeps saying, she wants to take the girls to play on the beach but I say "NO" due to what I saw from that poor golden on youtube. Any thoughts from anyone on this? I know the girls would love it but I'm wondering if I'm being overly protective. thanks
Tucker has a hot spot now. I'm lucky that he is not like Shadow and it has not spread. We just left the Vets office because he had his annual and he did give him antibiotics and told me to just continue with the Genesis spray.
I had a vet tell me years ago to change to a low protien food on a hound that got a hot spot. I had told many of houndsman that when they started getting a hot spot and it worked for them too, but that was on hounds.
It sounds more like a lick granulomas than a hot spot. My Bama has had one and it is just now healing. My vet said to put vicks vapor rub around it but not on it to keep him from licking it and it has worked. Usually with the hot spots they are moist (gooey) and grow without treatment like shaving it and putting goldbond or spray from the vet. The lick granulomas start out from something small like a sore and then grow as they lick at it. And then it becomes habititual. Try the Vicks to see if that stops her from licking it and hopefully it will heal. Until it gets well I would keep her out of the water but once she is well let her go swim. But just make sure she drives off completely. The hot spots can start from getting wet and then not drying all the way and moisture staying under the fur against the skin.
I agree that it sounds like a Lick Granuloma more than a hot spot. My goldens swim in the ocean 3 or 4 times a week, and none have hot spots. I think keeping the undercoat brushed and coat groomed really helps, as well as a high quality food. I did have one girl in the past, Acadia, who was prone to e yearly hotspot, about may or June(allergies?). Cutting fur away from it and using gold bond immediately did the trick.
Thank you so much, that's what my trainer said she thought it was, lick granuloma (couldn't remember the last part) and the vet said it was a hot spot after we pointed it out and said "do you have anything for this hot spot." . But I believe it is the lick thing - I'm beginning to wonder if we shouldn't change vets. Gold bond, perfect, I use that so it's always around. I love this forum, I have learned so much about my girls and the breed and I really appreciate the help. FYI, her lick spot is gone now and you are correct, it did begin after swimming in the pool. My wife tends to just dry them a little, then let them lie in their crate and roll on a towl. When I dry them I dry and dry until I just can't rub any more. thanks - oh, I got my Vet book as mentioned in another thread - I just have to learn how to look things up.
I think seawater would be pretty safe for the skin. Also keep the coat combed out so there's no dead hair and the skin is in good shape. Make sure they dry out afterwards fully (I would suggest either outside on a deck in warm weather or loose/in a pen inside if it's cold out, no towels and no crates - I put a fan on when the dogs are wet to keep the air moving). If the water is questionable, shampoo and rinse well or even use the hose to rinse them well afterwards.
Usually hot spots are on the neck or where the coat is thicker, it's a result of bacteria growing on the skin with wet conditions.
They can get pretty nasty, especially if the hair is not shaved away. The hair promotes bacterial growth. Shadow had a really bad one on his neck. It went from being the size of a nickel to the size of my hand overnight. It was awful. I'm extra careful when Shadow gets any type of infection because he had a FHO, but mainly because of his Total Hip Replacement. He hasn't gotten another since the bad one. We keep him away from foods he is allerigic to. I can't believe Tucker has his first Hot Spot in 6 years. OMG...I missed Tucker's Birthday! Holy Smokes!
The best way to help them heal quickly is put an e-collar on the head to prevent them from licking it, which just makes sense.
The best product I've found to help skin heal quickly from lick granulomas, bug bites, cuts, irritated skin is Apawthecary FidoDerm by Animal Essentials.
G used to get them anytime I got him groomed, I think from the irritation from the razor - so I had to stop taking him and groom him ourselves very gently -
The only thing that worked was the dreaded lampshade cone head - and doggie benadryl - my old neighbor worked for a vet and gave them to him and it cleared it up immediately.....im assuming all dogs are different but thats what worked for G
I actually have a Kooldryer, purchased just to be sure Shadow was really dry. I think Tucker may have gotten his spot from a nick or something at the groomer.
He's on California Natural now. He was moved to that from ProPlan because of allergies.
Since we did that he has had no ear issues and the only time he ever gets a hot spot is after bathing. Once it clears up, about 3 weeks, it's all over and we don't see any other issues unless he is bathed again.
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