Help! Not sure what this is...

[Katie&Ryan]

Hi, hope you guys can help because Tonic has us worried. I was brushing him tonight and found what i thought was a matte...tried to get it out and it turned out to be a big sore with dried blood all caked on it. I cut the hair around it (not sure if that was a good idea...but it seemed like one at the time) and its a silver dollar size pus covered sore. I put some antibiotic ointment on it (again...not sure). Here's a picture. This is after I put the ointment on...it was mostly red and a small amount of pus.

He has been real itchy lately and we had him in the lake last weekend. His temperment is the same...no food changes...just a sore. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! We're worried sick! Thank you so much.

 

[Murphy]

I'm no expert but please don't be worried sick. Looks to me like a hot spot. Murphy had lots of them when he was a baby.. There is tons of great advise here on how to treat hot spots. The pros will chime in.. Take a deep breath..

 

[Katie&Ryan]

Thanks so much Jennifer...Just did a search on hot spots. Think I'll try the listerine then Gold bond and see if that helps. Will update soon. Thanks again!

 

[Murphy]

Believe me.. while it is worriesome.. it's not a big deal.. Baby Tonic will be fine in no time. Again, the pros will chime in.. :grouphug:

 

[ardeagold]

Yep...looks like a hot spot. If you don't see improvement, and it keeps getting larger (they can expand FAST), get to the Vet.

We don't use Listerine because I'd think it would burn, but we DO use a teabag, soaked in warm water and placed on the spot for about 5 minutes. Then we dry the area, and put Gold Bond powder on it. This is done several times a day.

The tea actually soothes it.....versus making it more irritated, which I'm afraid Listerine might do.

 

[Murphy]

See .. told ya.. Donna has been a life saver for me.. no matter what time of day or night.. someone to help.. who actually knows what they are talking about.. . NN is really amazing...
Hope you feel better about your little man..

 

[Katie&Ryan]

Thanks Donna, Thats a good idea! I already put the listerine and goldbond on Tonic and he didn't even wake up! I don't think it's hurting him...just really itchy. But, so far he hasn't messed with it since I put the stuff on it. Thanks again for the advice so fast guys!

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I use Listerine and Gold Bond for hot spots. You do have to catch them early though. If the spot is already too big, and Listerine and Gold Bond isn't helping you should see a vet.

 

[Newfs Forever]

I agree. Hot spot. They are ugly. You might also want to trim the margins, even though the spot will be larger, it will help with the healing.

Just a thought.

 

[M & M's Mom Linda]

Katie...they pop up really quick. I was horrified the first time I found one. Max had quite a few as a pup as did Marcus but seemed to outgrow it at around a year or so. Sometimes they form if there are mats but often they just appear. The few times we went to the Vet when they got bad, I didn't let the vet shave them...which is what they all want to do. I found I could keep it just as clean and dry without and the fur protected it. We use diluted listerine and Gold Bond in the green container.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Looks like a hot spot to me too. You can read how I treat them at http://www.newf.net/Forums/showthread.php?t=53949 I have had good luck with a product called Sulfodine that I last found at Walmart. I had a neighbor have the same with his chow mix, told him about Sulfodine and gave him what I had last summer, and his dog's problem cleared up too

 

[Newfs Forever]

Well, you're lucky Linda. Each time I have balked at shaving the hot spot, it only got worse. Now, I just clear the margins, and they're gone much quicker.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Well, you're lucky Linda. Each time I have balked at shaving the hot spot, it only got worse. Now, I just clear the margins, and they're gone much quicker.

I pretty much do the same, trim any fur growing out of the hot spot as well a bit around it. It isn't so obvious then either between cleaning/treatments.

 

[wrknnwf]

Yogi was covered in hot spots when I first brought him home. He got a bath every day for 3 days and they cleared up fast. Then I gave him a bath a few days later just to make sure they were dried up. I never trimmed but I do think that helps 'cause I had to make sure the fur didn't get stuck in the oozy stuff.

I used an oatmeal shampoo which helps with itching and made sure to rinse really well.

 

[mudji]

We find when Mudji has beef he ends up with hot spots. You might want to start thinking to see if any thing that is eaten might be causing the hot spot...

Personally, I swear by lavender essential oil. Always works and smells good.

hannah
with a dog licking my arm.. I guess he wants dinner...

 

[Katie&Ryan]

Thank you so much everyone! We got pretty scared last night until Jennifer said Hot spot...we were thinking newf eating fungus that is never gonna go away! Tonic said thanks for all the great tips!