What are some good preventive measures for a dog who keeps creating hot spots?
We have a golden retriever, Pandora and we live in the Pacific NW. Every summer, like many goldens in our area, she gets sensitive skin and creates multiple hot spots. We’ve tried switching foods, etc.
We’ve resorted to having her wear a collar, but as soon as we take it off, she creates another hot spot. (They are huge if you let her go – can grow to be 6 inches by 4 inches.)
I don’t want her to wear a collar all summer. She’d be miserable. Can we give her benedryl to help her stop this licking? What have you tried that worked?
We’ve seen the vet several times about this. He’s suggested switching food and having her tested for allergies. He insists its very common for goldens in our area but, common or not, she’s unhappy.
Does she get wet from anything? Sometimes hot spots are caused by moisture (they lick and lick, hot spot or they roll in the rain, lay down and sleep, trap in the moisture, hot spot). Try to keep her fur dry. One person I know uses R7 spray when her dog starts licking. That usually helps, she says.
ADD: I forgot to mention that there is a product called Burrows Solution you apply directly to the hot spot. It works great to dry them up, but won’t actually prevent them as you wish. Also make sure after giving your dog a bath to dry her completely. If she drinks water fast and it drips onto her chest, you’ll have to dry that, too, to prevent hot spots.
Cäsar I miss you!
