Canine pyotraumatic dermatitis

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

Known as 'hot spots', does anyone have any experience? Our poor elderly Lab has developed this overnight and is feeling really sorry for himself. How long will it be before we start to see an improvement?

I sympathize, one of my dogs is prone to these. What have you done to treat it? If you've been to the vet and got antibiotics and anti-itching tablets you should see an improvement almost right away. If you're treating yourself, you'll have to keep a really close eye on it in case it gets worse - once they start they can get worse very quickly. The important thing is to make sure he can't lick it (ours has to wear a cone for a few days when he gets one). If you haven't already, you'll need to shave the area so that it can breathe - and often you can't tell how big it is until it's been shaved.

Poor guy, I hope he's better soon!

Been to the vets as it spread so quickly, got quite a shock at how bad it had got in just the 6 hours I've been at work. The area has been shave and we've got Fuciderm gel and Rilexine tablets for him but he is sooo subdued. It's not like him at all, he's even refusing his food (though he did perk up when I mentioned a walk so he's had a short walk round the block). I think it's the subduedness that is worrying me most. A friend has suggested using iodine on the skin to help.

I know what you mean, I've been quite shocked at how bad it can get in just an hour!! I think the antibiotics should start to make a difference very quickly - last time, our dog's skin was looking much much better within 24 hours. The advice from our vet was to go back if there was no improvement in a few days, or if it got worse. I'm not sure about iodine, won't it sting? Also since you've been prescribed a gel, I'm not sure how they'd interact? Anyway, I hope he perks up soon.

Those were my worries too, vet wants to see him again next week to check his progress. Thanks Redwing

Usually we find it takes about 48 hours for the antibiotics to start to work. Not a fan of iodine in any area where you fragile epithelial cells working to heal the skin as iodine is toxic to them. Fuciderm really is the best stuff.

Thank you Lizcat, I was worried about him this morning but I think I detect small improvements in him this afternoon. I hate this, he is almost 12 years old and this is the first time ever he's been proper poorly. I'm not sure I quite know what to do for him.

I think this time tomorrow things will be even better.

I think you might be right. I just opened the tin we keep his kibble in and he came off his bed and into the kitchen, it's the first time he's done that in days. He was still slightly reluctant to eat but once he got started it all went.

That's good. There should be another improvement by tomorrow too. It's a horrible thing isn't it. Then when it's better you have to wait for the fur to grow back - mine is still looking like a patchwork dog at the moment! It sounds like you are taking good care of him. Hope he's better soon.

It sounds daft but I had no idea something so simple as a bit of sore skin (which was what it first showed as) could turn so nasty so quickly. I'm glad we got him to the vet when we did. The first vet we rang couldn't fit him in but I found another one who agreed to see him straight away. Thank you for your help and support Redwing and Lizcat

It can be very serious in rare case. It does make them very miserable.

He is very much better today! He heard me on this stairs today and beat me into the kitchen for the first time in days, it was lovely to be greeted by his waggy tail (even though he knows he's meant to wait at the threshold until he's told to come in). He's eaten breakfast and even chosen to go into the garden for a sniff about and a wee. I can't believe the improvement today.

Really glad he is so much better. Just remember completely better can be a long haul sometimes 6 to 10 weeks of antibiotics.

I suspect we might be in for a long haul. Checked his neck this morning and I am sure there are new spots close to the margin of where the vet shaved him back to. I wish I had a set of clippers as I'd clip a bit more hair back.

Are you giving the area a good clean twice each day before apply the fuciderm? This is really important as the bacteria hide beneath those crusts and it is normal for the area to bleed slightly when you give it a good clean. I like to use a bit of hibiscrub when cleaning and often dispense some for use at home.

We are but just with cooled boiled water. DS is home this week, he'll be able to get me some Hibiscrub.

How is he doing today? I hope he's on the mend now.

Just something else to keep in the back of your mind - our dog's pseudomonas started with a hot spot on his back, which was treated by the vet. A couple of weeks after, I noticed a sort of 'cheesey Wotsit' smell about him and this was the pseudomonas setting in. He was 12 as well and getting rid of it was a long, hard, slog. Am not trying to worry you, but wanted you to be informed, just incase

Sorry for not replying, our broadband is up and down like nothing on earth.

He's much better Redwing, just in time to celebrate his 12th birthday today.

I suspect this might be the start of a long term battle with this Bavarian, did you succeed in the end?

I'm hope he had a good birthday :) I'm glad he's much better, and hope he continues to improve nicely.

hellhas have just come back to this thread, sorry. Am not sure whether you'll see this now, but we did eventually beat the pseudomonas, but only after a long time and he ended up on Baytril, (the strongest ABs available I think) for the rest of his life.

We lost him in March this year, he had Cushings & diabetes and then contracted pneumonia, on top of the pseudomonas

I hope you have managed to get rid of the hot spots now?

I've had success with aloe Vera gel on hot spots in my Labs - it cleared them very quickly indeed.

I also have freinds who swear by flower of sulphur and cleaning the area with hibiscrub.

Of course, antibiotics are invaluable if they're really awful.