Ask the Vet About Hot Spots in Dogs and Cats
As a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Dym has over 19 years of experience and dedication to enhancing the overall health and well-being of pets. His commitment and passion for pet health continuously drives him to learn more about the art and science of homeopathy through ongoing training and education.
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Question:Is it safe to use hypochlorous acid on dog's paw that are always itching?
Answer:Only use products specifically formulated for them. Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in this article but here is a link to our article about treating allergies which starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" and lists many over-the-counter and prescription treatment options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:Hi. I have a husky whose 1 year and 1 month old. He was diagnosed with demodex when they examined his stool. He was constantly biting his legs and he was given antibiotic and antihistamine (took him to another vet since 1st vet didnt really mind his skin condition - his skin was oozing with gelatinous blood). He was given nexgard and was advised to bathe him 2x a week with amitraz shampoo. His skin is a little better but now its becoming black. What can I do and would it be okay to give him supplement like perhonesty/zestypaws allerimmune? Thanks so much
Answer:"perhonesty/zestypaws allerimmune" probably won't help at all because it doesn't sound like he has allergies. I can't really recommend anything without examining him and directly checking his skin. Have your veterinarian recheck him - he may need an oral antibiotic and/or stronger treatment for the mange. It takes many weeks, sometimes months for mange to improve so be patient - he may just be going through normal healing.
Question:My 7 yr old Chiutzu mix has been scratching his legs, toes, under belly and close to anal area for a month or so. We have bathed him often, used monthly flea control which has not stopped his behavior. He has not caused a skin condition as in hot spots but he is clearly uncomfortable. He does have long hair and he is constantly knotting his hair in the areas I mention. Can you suggest what I can use to alleviate his condition?
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:Hi my dachshund has some bumps and scabs a little itching
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, hypothyroidism, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:What do you recommend for treatment for cat hot spot? Without prescription
Answer:There are many things that cause hot spots on cats (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:Hello my dogs has hot spots what do I do? And what is a good multi vitamin I can give my dogs? I gave a Maltese who is 4yrs old and a Shih Tzu mixed with a Pomeranian in a Pekingese who is 5 yrs old.
Answer:Addressing the underlying cause of the hot spots is ideal (getting rid of fleas, treating allergies or some other underlying cause like mange, hypothyroidism, etc.). If they eat a balanced diet, they shouldn't need a vitamin supplements at their age. The dog with the hot spots may benefit from an Omega 3 supplement, like this product: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Super+Pure+Omega+3+-prod10910.html
Question:I put a microbial on him and a breathable shirt but he still scratches and stressed he has a flea collar on
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:Purple spot inside dogs ear. Not raised or seem to be painful for Zeus. But has gotten darker since it appeared last week. Can I attach pictures?
Answer:No, we don't have a way to attach pictures and yes, that would be helpful. Try emailing them to your veterinarian - most are set up for telemedicine consults. If not, sites like JustAnswer.com have ways to attach pictures for a small price.
Question:Hello, I am a poor disabled lady who has a sweet,girl, fur baby named fryia.She has lower back,whole tail and some Ichy dry scabbed skin from flea allergy. She is three years old.Please Help Her.I can't afford a vet.I can't afford prescription meds.,I need some cream anti lick tropical anti botic for her.I can only afford twenty dollars or less for Medicine.Can any free agency help her or can find a med.that can help her heel.Please help my baby fyria.941-726-5027 in Sarasota Florida 34238 zip code 8705 South Tamiami Trail Lot # 42 Sarasota, Florida 34238 Perhaps You Could Mail My Fur Baby Some Free Medicine At My Home Address Or Info. Agency To Help Her Or Find Some Med. I Can Afford. My private cell phone number Please 😊 Help My Cat Thank You Bye
Answer:The only medications that are working well are prescription only. You will have to ask around in your immediate area for things like low cost vaccine companies - they may be able to sell you single doses of these which is the only way it will be under $20 - but that will be more expensive in the long run - call ahead and see.
Question:What can I I buy over-the-counter do you stop The itching
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:My dog has very dry and itchy skin I use oatmeal shampoo on him but he still continually itches and his skin flakes and I noticed that he has a little round red spots on his under carriage and some on his back that look like eczema can you help me what I should use to help?
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:My dog has a hot spot he licks for a long time. His skin is itching which he scratches and licks.
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:My Golden has a spot on the side of his neck that is inflamed, painful to touch and dogs reaction, itchy and seeping. Short of a cone I try to keep him from scratching it. Thought about Neosporin until vet visit ASAP?
Answer:Yes, neosporin is fine to use, but probably won't solve the problem - your veterinarian will have much stronger, better medications. They can also look for and talk to you about underlying causes (allergies, mange, etc) so it doesn't continue to recur.
Question:Can you spray a dog's hot spots with dermoplast?
Answer:Since it hasn't been tested on dogs and contains a lidocaine derivative, I would not recommend it.
Question:My dog adopted us when he was about 10 weeks old, I took him to the vet because it was obvious he had the mange. They diagnosed him with red mange and we treated him, and he cleared up. He is now about a year and a half old and has hot spots all over his body. They tend to stay in the same areas, one on his lower back/tail, one on each side of his butt. Under his neck, and other spots. We bought some germicidal fungicidal spray from the co-op and it seemed to help for a while but now it doesn?t seem anything helps. He is a mutt and outside dog. Please help, he is miserable but we can?t afford the high vet bills in our area.
Answer:It probably isn't a recurrence of mange at that age, but since that is still possible, it is ideal to have your veterinarian check him out and see if it is that or allergies or something else (ringworm, etc), so you know how to proceed with treatment because all of these are treated differently. At a minimum, try to get him on either Nexgard, Bravecto or Simparica because these have mange-fighting ability and keep all the fleas off - the most common allergen when they are pulling hair out over their tail head.
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