7/15-16, 2009
I went home the other day and my 2-year-old Newf, Rudder was, uh, shall I say paying a bit too much attention to his private parts. When I bent down to look, I saw that he had been obviously biting at himself all day and the area was sopping wet. I made him turn over on his back and he had the beginnings of a hot spot in his groin area. This irritation occurred because he had mats that I had not taken care of after his last swim and they were pulling on the tender skin, causing pain. This happens a lot with longhaired dogs because some owners don’t pay much attention to the under-tail area when they are brushing out their dogs. This area, however, is important to be aware of, especially in summer, when loose hair can cause big mats. If your dog swims, it is even more important to make sure this area is mat-free.
The Comfy Cone keeps dog from scratching and biting wounds, hotspots and stitches.
I thought I could take care of this myself. I started cutting mats out, but, unfortunately, nicked the area, so Rudder was not being cooperative. I hesitated using the scissors again, and I had some Gentocin at home from a previous hot spot so I sprayed some on it and put a Comfy Cone on his head (see photo). I thought it was all good.
7/17, 2009
I am a vet tech, and although I have not worked in a practice for years, I still should have known to take Rudder to the vet yesterday. I know how fast hot spots spread and because I did not take care of it earlier and did not keep the cone on consistently, Rudder was able to bite and chew at the area. When I looked at it this morning, it had turned into a nasty, huge hot spot. I took him right in to the vet this morning who said that it was so painful to him that he had to be sedated to shave the area down completely, so I am taking him in shortly. I already got him a prescription for Cephalexin, which he was on before for another hot spot, and I have to put his cone on again and make sure it stays on now. Dogs are so good at sneaking a lick or a bite even when their owner is in the same room, that cones, even though they look silly, and though dogs have a little trouble getting around it them, are essential for getting your dog through a time when he may injure himself.
7/20/2009
Well, all seems to be going well with Rudder’s hot spot. Getting the affected area shaved down, loading up on vet-prescribed antibiotics (84 pills for 10 days – thank goodness I can get my meds inexpensively at our pet pharmacy!) and being able to say, “Leave it!” all weekend was the ticket. The area, though still red, really looks like it is getting better. Moral of the story: Always look underneath for mats, or face a hefty vet bill!
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My dog has only had a hotspot once, but it had a total life of its own. It went from the size of a dime to a dinner plate in a day – yuck! If you suspect a hot spot, take your dog to the vet immediately.