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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Stressed about various puppy ailments

29 replies

ClaireandTed · 23/12/2022 19:47

I'm a first time puppy owner with a one year old Tibetan terrier who has been a 'busy and challenging dog' according to the vet and her trainer. Let's just say it's been a baptism of fire.

Things were finally improving a few weeks ago, when she went into season (we'll be getting her spayed after the first season as per vet advice).

The season was pretty miserable and stressful as she really misses being off lead and playing with friends.

We finally got to the end of the 3 weeks only for her to get an ear infection and two hot spots on her front leg at the same time. For the last week she's had a cone and been SO miserable. We went back to the vet yesterday and the ear infection has improved but not totally, the hot spots haven't despite antibiotic cream so she has at least another week with the cone. She's not eating she's so miserable, and still can't play with friends, or go off lead.

It's really starting to get me down and I'm wondering if the hot spots in particular will ever heal? She's desperate to lick. Also the vet said she will be more prone to ear infections now as the ear canal swells.

We have lots of other stresses at the moment eg child illness, family bereavement and obviously Christmas planning as we are hosting, and I'm really struggling.

Has anyone else had this sort of thing and do the hot spots heal? I'm worried she will always want to lick and have visions of her wearing the cone forever.

I guess I've just come on here to rant and ask for moral support as a first time dog owner.

OP posts:
Macaroni1924 · 23/12/2022 23:02

Our old dog used to be prone to hot spots, she was rescue and a poor soul. The lady at the local kennels told us at the very early stages to apple apple cider vinegar. It has to be before the skin has broken. Then on the future when we saw her starting to scratch or lick we would spray her coat with diluted apple cider vinegar and it really worked well. I know not of much use now but if it’s something that keeps happening worth a try.

Suzi888 · 23/12/2022 23:05

Hot spots seem to occur more in hot climates, when they’re in and out of a pool. Not to say they don’t occur in the U.K but you may find useful advice on U.S social media.

We have a lab, he was KC reg pup, father crufts/show, mother qualified therapy dog. Siblings all sound. Ours is and always was a lunatic with IBS, tore his knee, surgeries, arthritis, manky ears - you name it. We were recently offered MRI and ear culture, plus allergy test - he’s too old now, with other issues but if I had been offered this at the time I would have opted for it. (I did ask, but was told nothing could be done). Can be ear disease.

My friend also had a pup, the only time he saw the vet was neutering, puppy vaccines and pts (cancer). In his entire life.
Ours always went a few times a year, past 5 years every three months. 😫

Original poster
ClaireandTed · 24/12/2022 08:40

Macaroni1924 · 23/12/2022 23:02

Our old dog used to be prone to hot spots, she was rescue and a poor soul. The lady at the local kennels told us at the very early stages to apple apple cider vinegar. It has to be before the skin has broken. Then on the future when we saw her starting to scratch or lick we would spray her coat with diluted apple cider vinegar and it really worked well. I know not of much use now but if it’s something that keeps happening worth a try.

Thanks! So did the apple cider vinegar deter her from licking too? Or just cleanse/soothe? I wonder if it worked similar to the bitter apple spray that stops them biting furniture 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
ClaireandTed · 24/12/2022 08:43

Suzi888 · 23/12/2022 23:05

Hot spots seem to occur more in hot climates, when they’re in and out of a pool. Not to say they don’t occur in the U.K but you may find useful advice on U.S social media.

We have a lab, he was KC reg pup, father crufts/show, mother qualified therapy dog. Siblings all sound. Ours is and always was a lunatic with IBS, tore his knee, surgeries, arthritis, manky ears - you name it. We were recently offered MRI and ear culture, plus allergy test - he’s too old now, with other issues but if I had been offered this at the time I would have opted for it. (I did ask, but was told nothing could be done). Can be ear disease.

My friend also had a pup, the only time he saw the vet was neutering, puppy vaccines and pts (cancer). In his entire life.
Ours always went a few times a year, past 5 years every three months. 😫

Thanks, ah isn't it interesting, sorry yours had lots of issues. Tearing his knee must have been a nightmare!

Interestingly, she used to get lots of dodgy tummies and diarrhea. We now give her probiotics which has helped (and also she's stopped eating other dogs' poos).

I'll look into allergy testing thanks!

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