Gold Ribbon Rescue February 2005 Golden Health Those Pesky, Itchy, Hot Spots
Finally, if it already looks really horrible
Lick granulomas
Nearly 10 years ago, Eric and I got our first
when you catch it, head for the vet.
Golden, Lulu, from Helen Dorrance. “What
health issues are we likely to encounter?”
From GRR president Maura Phelan: “I have
we asked. “Hot spots and skin allergies,”
obsessive, to the point where all the fur is
she promptly replied. She was right! I don’t
gone and the dog creates a raw, spreading
think there’s a Golden owner on the planet
Travel-Ease with good results. Bathing the
who hasn’t had to deal with the dread hot
ulcerated center. In especially bad cases
spot on at least a few occasions. For those
lesion almost to the bone. The area is often
familiar with the problem: a hot spot is a
infected. Cam Snyder, frequent GRR foster
sore place, usually raw and seeping, that a
dad, recalls his foster dog Duke: “Duke was
chew on his left back leg, right above his
to enormous, and they can appear in their
full glory literally within a few hours, much
to the horror of the owners, who feel they
critical. Feed a high-quality food and give
abnormal behavior, at least that I noticed.
less nightmarish stage. If the hot spot goes
Derm Caps, Lipiderm, 3Vs, Vitacoat— there
unattended for long, the whole nasty mess
keep the dog from getting dry, itchy skin in
returned the next day for a recheck. Margo
plaque on the skin, creating an ideal moist,
met us there, and can verify it was not a
airtight environment for bacterial growth
“itchy” times of year; you can start with
Benadryl (works for some dogs, not at all
clean the wound, apply a topical antibiotic
So, what to do? Preventive techniques are
for others) or Tavist. If nothing seems to
like Mycitracin, cover it with a sterile pad
many, and we will get to those in a minute.
help with the fierce scratching/biting that
can generate hot spots in a hurry, talk to
hold it on, secured with tape. Then put a
already there— here are some ideas from all
From Kathy Burton: “We’ve used 99% pure
and he wore an Elizabethan collar if I was
aloe vera gel on it (after trimming an area
Sierra used to turn herself into hamburger,
From Becky LaBrum: “Groom your dog
(expensive, but a lifesaver for this dog). A
start to close, then he would open it again,
often and run your fingers back and forth
low dose of prednisone for a limited time
although never as bad as the first time.”
under her fur, not forgetting the insides of
her legs and her tummy. This is a good way
Tuczkowski has had excellent success with
About the only thing that became clear to
to find hot spots before they get too far. If
me after several days reading the tons of
you find one, shave or clip the fur over and
Sweet’s evening meals on a daily basis, and
there has not been a re-occurrence of hot
there's no one cause, and (as Cam’s
exposed to air, it often dries up, scabs over,
spots in over 18 months. Says Emily, “it’s
account il ustrates) the problem is
probably true that dogs, like humans, are
gently clean with a mild antiseptic soap.
prone to different reactions to different
cooling or anti-itch spray. We generally use
Gold Ribbon Rescue February 2005
On January 13, Chewie headed to thehospital for the operation. It was a success!After a few days of observation at the clinic(during which time the entire staff and allthe vets fell in love with him, of course), hereturned to his foster home and hisfavorite perch on the Lazy Boy. He’srecovering nicely now and not a bit
Cost of a pain-ffree future for Chewie:$1,735.Golden Health— Hot Spots and Lick Granulomas (continued from page 4)
it is gone and other times I see a little area
that needs attention. Her fur is still a little
Bone or joint pain: the dog's attention is
these tactics don’t do much. Once collars
likes to lick at her paws and I’m always
For really drastic cases, surgical excision (by
leave it on for 10 minutes a couple of times
Separation or other anxiety: one theory
a week. I have cut a sponge in fourths and
just put a dab of shampoo on the area and
the release of endorphins, the body’s feel-
rub it in with the sponge. If I see that she is
endings. But even here, the dog may lick at
licking more than usual then I spray bitter
the incision line or the healing area, and…
As far as treatments go, if you do have an
This is one of those cases where vets and
idea about causes, you can at least start on
The latest wisdom from some vets is a long
because we’re unlikely actually to achieve a
the allergies or treating arthritis pain; by
cure. It’s a case of working with your vet,
adding thyroid supplements; by giving the
seated infection so typical of these lesions.
trying to pinpoint the triggers, and having
something that helps your particular dog.
toys and food puzzles for him when he’s
Web sources. You’ll find dozens of web articleson doggie skin troubles. A few links to try:
amitriptyline, clomipramine, or prozac. But
solvent for thick, dense connective tissue,
www.aztecanimalclinic.com/lick_gran.htm;
granulomas can attest, once the licking has
often used for horses; it absorbs quickly
www.thepetcenter.com/exa/lick.html;
become a habit, it is really hard to break.
and helps deal with the thickened, granular
www.skinvet.com/diseasedetail.asp?index=2;
comments: “Sometimes the spot looks like
SAINT ANDREW’S UPPER SCHOOL PERMISSION FORM 9TH GRADE TRIP PATHFINDER I, _________________________________________________ , herby give permission for my ( parent’s/ legal guardian’s complete name ) son/daughter, ____________________________________ , to attend the Class Trip below. I fully understand and agree to hold harmless Saint Andrew’s School, and any o
Confidential Patient Record Patient: Mr. / Mrs. / Miss______________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Birth: ________________________ Emergency Contact Name: __________________ Phone #:____________________ Address: _______________________________________________________ Marital Status: Married Single Postal Code: __________________ Email: