hotspots on another dog

[ward_hill]

One of Buckley's doggie friends, a Golden, had a hot spot on his back. They hadn't seen each other for a few weeks, but Buckley had what I thought was an odd reaction to his friend. First he wanted to lick the hotspot, which wasn't that strange. But after a couple of licks, he started to whimper and cry and was unsettled, as though he 'felt bad' for his buddy.

I haven't spent much time around a group of dogs, so am not sure if this fairly common or not. Has anyone observed similar behavior under similar circumstances?

 

[Ocean's Edge]

Not specifically - but Buddy in general is a worrier. If Kilo barks to go out, Buddy will rush up to start poking one of us, if one of the cats is complaining (and they frequently do) Buddy will hurry to the cat gate to whimper and pace and generally worry, if I twist an ankle or drop a hammer on my foot, or hit my thumb and oowwwwwwwwww loudly, Buddy will be there looking concerned.

It sounds like something my guy would do.

 

[jane]

Merlin alway's lets me know when Shannon has a hot spot. When they go to play, he will stop and sniff where it is, walk away and refuse to play with her. Whenever I see Merlin acting like that, I know to check her for a hot spot.

 

[hemingway]

this might be a dumb question, but what exactly causes a hot spot?

 

[Joan Fisher]

I think that is a pretty controversial topic but, in my opinion, it's caused by moisture in matted undercoat hair. Some dogs are much more prone than others. If my dog got one, I'd feel very guilty, because I think they're due to insufficient grooming.

 

[heather pluciennik]

I brush my girl at least twice a week and still got hot spots. She has a really thin coat compared to other Newfs I know. I could see it caused by moisture if I don't dry her to the bone. Maybe thinking hers are caused by allergies or bug bites? She defiantly doesn't have matting issues?

 

[Thehallk]

My golden got hot spots if we didn't apply her flea medication on time or if we didn't rinse her after a swim in the ocean, her skin was very sensitive to everything!

 

[Rowstymitt]

I brush Siri daily and she still chews and gets hot spots.

 

[ward_hill]

the Golden appears to have developed the hot spot after a bath and grooming. that has happened to Buckley once or twice, even though he gets raked regularly. luckily, he hasn't had one in quite a while.

Buckley's reaction was somewhat of a surprise, although this exact circumstance had never occurred before.

thanks for the comments!

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

It sounds like your dog is a nurturer. Some are more that way, than others.

this might be a dumb question, but what exactly causes a hot spot?

Our Lucy was queen of the hotspots, but it was due more to allergic reactions, than anything else. We kept her clean and brushed, but she'd get into something she shouldn't have, and next thing ya know, she's popping out in hot spots.

 

[Lkorzen]

My girl Koda gets a hot spot every spring. I think it is allergies.

 

[Garden_girl]

2011 has been a year of firsts for me, including my first hot spots, ever.
Both of my older boys got hot spots on their muzzles (no matting hair there).
I had given them raw bones to chew on from a new source, and I am pretty sure the hot spots came from bacteria from the bones.

it's caused by moisture in matted undercoat hair. Some dogs are much more prone than others. If my dog got one, I'd feel very guilty, because I think they're due to insufficient grooming.

While I think they *can* come from matted coats, I believe dogs get an abundance of bacteria on the skin (for whatever reason), it itches, so the dog scratches and chews, pretty soon there is a hot spot there. I would think some itchy insect bites could eventually cause a hot spot, too. I don't think there is just one reason, but I think bacteria plays a part. The matting wouldn't explain why smooth coated dogs get hot spots, too. I can see where allergies would play a big part, too!

 

[TerriW]

Have had Newfies for 16 years now, and got our first hot spot this year. I don't think it's from insufficient grooming, though it may be from frequent swimming and insufficient DRYING ... if that's the same thing. Otherwise, I have no idea why we got one, on our third Newf, for the first time ever. It was on the INSIDE of his rear leg, which would explain why it didn't dry as well as it should have. :shrug:

 

[TerriW]

BTW, "hot spot" doesn't begin to describe these awful things. I always thought a hot spot was a reddened area of the skin. I had no idea what Ben had when I found it. I was sickened by it! I Googled for photos and darned if that wasn't what it is. It healed amazingly quickly though, after I carefully cleaned it for him.

 

[Bojie]

There could have been medication that the owner used on it. Some type of topical spray. I have some at home, as Bojie will get them if he is not completely dried after swimming. I also have to bathe him after every swim to get any bacteria off and dry down to the skin. It's the only way I can avoid them.
The sprays for hotspots are made to taste horrible so dogs don't lick. Some have lidocaine in them. If there was any type of topical cream or spray on him, Buckley could've gotten that nasty taste on his tongue and his reaction could be because of that.

 

[ward_hill]

Yes, Terri they are truly gruesome. Glad Buckley hasn't had one in quite a while (knock wood)!

I agree with previous posts that it seems like a variety of things can trigger them.

Meg, not sure what was used. Owner is a young woman, 30s, with severe visual impairment, maybe 20 pct. vision. Also diabetic. Dog is not a guide dog, but is essentially a therapeutic companion who enables her to get out. Very tough situation. I think the dog had been to the vet but she could only afford the smallest amount of the topical spray, which had been used up. I gave her a large bottle, half full, of Gentocin spray that was left over from Buck's episode. Am going to check up on them tomorrow. The dog, Dodger, is an absolute sweetheart and loves Buckley. He's about seven, they've been friends since Buck was a wee pup. At some point in the not too distant future, she's going to need a real guide dog.