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Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise.
Archived Message

Hot spots?
by eva
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Hot spots?Hi everyone, my neighbor down the street has a 6 yr old maltese that has a problem that just started and looks like a hot spot on her back. She has only had her baby since this winter, it was given to her, so she doesn't know if her dog has had this problem in the past. Since she doesn't have internet access I told her that I would ask all of you if any of your maltese have experienced this and what you use to help your baby. The symptoms are constant itching in one spot near the middle of her babies back which really looks red and sore from all the scratching by biting. She has tried cortisone once but quit when her dog just licked it off and continued biting at the area. She didn't want her dog to ingest the cortisone and make it sick. Her dog does not have fleas so she has ruled that out. Thank you.

DISCUSSION:

Hi Eva, it sounds like your friends Maltese has some sort of allergy. I can't comment on that part of it, maybe the vet could enlighten her somewhat.

As far as the spot she has irritated so bad now, I can offer a suggestion. First, let me preface this by saying I'm the first one to be a non-believer in claims of a lot of products sold over the counter on the market. Most just simply do not work and I'll be the first to label one as "snake oil", this includes all the eyestain removal in a bottle products as well as all the flea collars made, just to name a few. Anyways, I don't normally promote a product unless I feel really good about the results it produces. OK, enough of the blah,blah,blah...

Have your friend call Revival Animal Health at 1-800-786-4751, tell them you want to order the "Mega-Tek Cell Rebuilder" item #27-090 for the 2oz ($7.95) or #27-092 for the 16oz($22.95).

I know its pricey but it does work. All the claims they make are 100% true. Although we never personally used it for hot spots, a friend of ours who shows Skye's tried it just for that and had unbelievable results immediately. The manufacturer claims that it "accelerates hair growth up to 50% faster" and it strengthens, rebuilds, stimulates & promotes rapid cell growth without the use of synthetic chemicals. It is also used to detangle severely matted hair which is also 100% true claim. Please have your friend try this product on her Maltese. I think they both will be much happier if they do. Let me know the final outcome, I would be very much interested,
Jay


I have a St. Bernard who gets hot spots occasionally. She digs and digs at them until they are sore. I went to the pet shop and bought a medicated anti-itch spray. It is made by Four Paws and is called Pet Aid. I paid around $7 for it. It does work for my St., but I can't tell you if it is better than what Jay recommended. My St. quits digging at the spot after I spray the area and it heals up quickly. This is just a suggestion.
Cindy
What is the poor thing eating? Did you try changing the food? Parasites can also cause skin problems. If you try Clear (see Advertiser section) for a few weeks, the problem might go away. I've heard countless stories where vets couldn't come up with a cause, and that's what it turned out to be.
Isabel
One of the best things that I know of for hot spots is chlorohexidene throat spray. It's that icky green stuff we all hate, including the dogs. Put some on the spot and when they lick, it tastes terrible, plus numbs their tongue. The neatest part is that it numbs the hot spot so that it doesn't itch. Voila!!
anne
I wonder if this is what is wrong with Cubbie. He still has this sore under his chin that hasn't healed. He doesn't scratch it, but I wonder......I am going to check this out. Thanks for the post! You may have helped me more than you'll ever know.
Felicia & Cubbie
I recommend taking the dog to a vet dermatologist.
Alice
Hi Eva, don't know if this will help but I noticed that the CoatHandler conditioner, according to the label, can be used to treat hotspots. I haven't needed to try that so can't say if it's effective. Jay's solution sounds pretty good to me.
Deanna (Moose & Squirrel)
Thank you for all of your suggestions. I have printed out this message and will give it to her. What a great group of caring people you all are.
eva

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