Dog Hot Spot / Rash

Hi Ruth,
What a heartbreaking story on Crash’s puppyhood! Reading his history, I was concerned that some of the itching might be due to “Phantom Leg” pain that occurs after amputation. But he is now 6 years old, and the amputation was done when he was 8 weeks old! It is not likely to be related to the amputation, if these hot spots/rash are starting now, 6 years later. And last October, it occurred around his rump area NOT the amputation site.

From the photo you submitted, and his past reactions to fleas, I am more suspicious that it is all related to dog flea allergy, and nothing else. Benedryl would not help a dog food allergy, yet you said he was improved with 50 mg of Benedryl given twice. The antibiotics he was on helped the secondary bacterial infection in his skin, but not his underlying susceptibility to fleas.

Certainly, using some dog flea medicine to prevent flea bites would be useful. The two products you mentioned, Revolution and Advantage, need to be applied every 3-4 weeks. The Revolution is absorbed into the blood stream, and is a potent anti-parasite medication. It is effective against many other parasites besides fleas. Is he really at risk for all of these other parasites in Ontario, Canada? If you lived in Florida, it might be more appropriate, where the tropical climate is more conducive to a huge parasite population. On the other hand, the Advantage is not as strong a product and is specific to fleas, and is a much more ‘gentle’ treatment since is only adheres to the oil layer of the skin. This prevents the flea from biting. Since the flea only has to come into contact with the Advantage, and it will die.

I am not sure if it is necessary for you to use BOTH products. And if possible, it would be healthier for Crash, if you could use a more natural flea repellent, such as Wondercide. You can also check our page on Dog Flea Treatment for an alternative to toxic flea products.

If possible, I would suggest an
oatmeal shampoo for Crash, 1-2 times per week, for 3 weeks. Then once every two weeks, then one time per month. This frequency may help to drown some of the fleas, kill the bacteria, and soothe his skin. At the same time, use some less toxic flea products.

TO BE CONTINUED…. PART TWO

Hi Ruth,
Here is PART TWO….

I would not advise applying anything topical to the hot spot, as it will only attract his attention. Just keeping it clean and dry, and improve his diet. Adding 1,000 mg of Omega 3 fish oil for dogs, daily, to his food, will also be a beneficial supplement for a healthier skin.

You mentioned that you had him on a diet of beef and chicken and switched to Lamb and fish. Is this a dry food, canned or raw diet? With a tendency to having skin allergies with secondary bacterial infection, he needs moisture in his diet. NO DRY FOOD.

Canned food would be healthier, and even better would be a RAW natural dog food diet. Check out our page on the 10 best Dog Food Options, and scroll down to the RAW dog food diets.

I am not sure of the vaccination requirements in Canada. But if you can AVOID vaccinating Crash for the next 3 years, until he is completely healthy, and then only give him a Rabies vaccination, if it is required by law, would be my recommendation. If more frequent vaccinations are required, I would suggest seeking out a holistic veterinarian to exempt him from vaccination. Also a holistic veterinarian would be able to treat Crash homeopathically, to improve his vital force so that he will no longer have the susceptibility to flea allergy.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Skin Conditions,
– Dog Itchy Skin,
– Dog Skin Rash,
– Dog Skin Allergies,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Skin Rashes, Marks, Spots, Lesions & Patches (including itchy skin and mange) Section,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Hair Loss Section