Itchy red spot on dog’s flank

Hi Erin,
Treatment of a hot spot is best done by preventing Brodie from licking the area. The MORE he licks it, the more it itches, and the more it itches, the more he will lick it.

If Animal Scents by young Living 'tastes' bad and stops him from licking, then by all means continue to apply it. But in my experience, I have not found that technique to be successful.

Applying a greasy product to the skin will 'draw' his attention to it, causing him to lick it off. You will need to keep an E-collar on him ( use the 'soft' version-so he will still be able to use his dog door to go outside) to physically keep his mouth away from the spot.

Since you are in Florida, the FLEA/TICK CAPITAL of the world(!), I suspect this 'hotspot' may have started from a flea or tick bite.

Using Sentry Fiproguard Max topically for flea/tick control is too toxic in my opinion. See our page on Natural Flea Treatment and Prevention. Consider using EVOLV made from Cedar oil instead of Sentry Fiproguard. This product can be applied as often as needed, without any harmful effects.

I suggest bathing the area EVERY DAY for at least ONE week with a baby shampoo or oatmeal shampoo. Use COOL water, to help calm and cool down the skin and make him more comfortable.

A dog's normal body temperature is 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit, so the water can be cooler than for a human. Bathing will also cleanse the area and remove surface bacteria and prevent secondary infection.

Rescue Remedy can be diluted 20 drops to 2 oz of Spring Water, placed in a pump spray bottle, and kept in the fridge. Spray this on the area as often as needed, especially when he starts licking it in the middle of the night! It can also be added to Brodie's drinking water to help 'calm' him down.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO

Hi Erin,
Here is the rest of my response.

STOP feeding him DRY DOG FOOD. See if the Nutro Ultra Weight Control comes in a canned version.

Also, adding 1-2 TBSP raw meat (NO RAW PORK OR RAW FISH), would be a healthy addition.

And no more milk bones. If you are trying to help him lose weight, milk bones contain too many calories. A healthy snack would be raw baby carrots, a piece of apple or cantaloupe.

He needs moisture in his diet to keep his skin healthy. And canned or raw diets are LOWER in calories than dry dog food. See our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options for more info.

Seek the help of a holistic veterinarian, if these suggestions are not effective. Hot spots can be very frustrating to treat, and many times a more intensive therapy is needed, such as homeopathy or acupuncture.
Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

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

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

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