The Dreaded Cone Is Back....Poor Murph

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Well just when I thought that I was free of the weekly Vet visits with Murphy, we found a Hot Spot on his tail.  DH spotted it first and told me earlier this week that Murph was lapping his tail.  He's done that before right up at the base by his "butt" and I have spray for that....so for the past few days I've been spraying him down.  What he didn't tell me was that when he spotted him lapping it was half way down his tail....since I had not seen this myself I was "clueless" about what was going on.  Yesterday I did notice it and when I really looked through all that hair on his tail I saw what reminded me of the hot spots my Lab used to get.  Of course with Labs they're much easier to notice.  So this morning we were off to the Vet (yet again) with Murph.  Here's the outcome...

Yes, this poor guy is back in that awful cone.  We resurrected it from his neuter surgery. 

They shaved his beautiful tail...this is what his hot spot looks like.

Well, I felt awful for him.  He was such a good boy at the Vet.  He laid there calmly while they shaved him and picked off all the scabs.  The Vet Tech actually said that she had never considered a Labradoodle for herself because she always thought they were so "hyper", but after getting to know Murph (very well) she now realizes that they can be very calm dogs...hahaha!  I said that I hadn't seen a hot spot with either of them...but our Lab used to have them.  She said "oh yes, its very common in Labs....it's the Lab in Murphy... that's probably why he's susceptible. Holy Doodles, " the Lab in Murphy....what Lab?"  So I'm thinking apparently he has inherited all the bad Lab genes...why didn't he get that Lab cast iron stomach?  She put him on antibiotics and steroids....and the cone. 

So I felt really awful that poor Murph now has to go through all this.  He just got all those Irish bandages off his poor paw pads, and now this.  So my DS, my DGD and I headed to the pet store to get some surprises to cheer him up.  I found some great new gluten free "cookies" and (are you ready) a RABBIT!  The minute I saw this rabbit I knew it was perfect.....especially after all our discussions this week.  So we brought it home...we were all excited.  "Alpha Guinness" decided it must be for him since he's now "king of the world".  Here he is, and doesn't he look proud!

Here's poor Murph saying....get this d@#m thing off me!

Here are the boys guarding the immobilized rabbit.

Here's a close up of the rabbit...it looks strangely similar to the one on F Parker's porch.  Creepy.

So, here's my question.  Has anyone had issues with hot spots?  The Vet explained that it starts often as an environmental allergic response....and it's right at the spot on his tail where he would be sitting.  He has quite a few bumps that clearly look like a skin allergy.  Once they start licking it becomes infected.  I'm thinking back to when we had this with our Lab....things were really different back then.  I think all I did was clean it up and cover it up with a topical antibiotic ointment.  I know I didn't do antibiotics....I don't think I ever even went to the Vet.  Anyway, I just feel awful for my poor guy.  He seems to get all the tough breaks.  The sad thing right now is that he can't rest his head on my lap like he loves to do with the cone.  I'm hoping that he'll only have to wear it for a couple of days.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Poor, poor Murphy. One of our Golden Retrievers was allergic to fleas and got hot spots. It is good you caught it early. He should be healed quickly with the treatment he is getting. It looks like Guinness is pleased as punch with "his" new toy. Hoping you all are feeling much better in a day or two.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Poor Murph...can't you take the cone off when he is laying on your lap?  It is so sad that the tail had to be shaved. I have not had any experiences with hot spots and so far Gracie Doodle has been totally allergy free and has no skin issues whatsoever...fingers crossed...and she is a Goldendoodle so there is no Lab in her.  Hugs and kises to the boys and an extra one for Murphy.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Poor Murphy and ouch those hot spots do look sore!  I think that rabbit does look eerily "real", hopefully soon enough he will be playing with it and back to normal.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Murph says "thank you" for all your advice and well wishes!  I am taking the cone off him now when I can watch him and prevent him from lapping at the "hot spots", so we're back to some good cuddling!

[Dori & Rua]

Poor Murphy and the dreaded cone!  No help to you at all...I never go to any hot spots! I lead kinda of boring life.  LOL

 

Do love the rabbit.  I like how they have immoblized their prey and keeping it from escaping.

 

Hugs & licks from Rua!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Our little Zach use to get hot spots and like Murphy we never noticed until it was oh too late. We did take him in but that was only about 5 years ago. The last one he had they did exactly what your Vet did, scab off, shot of antibiotic and then we had to keep clean. It was on his shoulder so no cone necessary.

At least Murph's cone is a soft one, imagine the awful hard plastic.

I think you need to go and get Murphy his own bunny - Guinness is not gonna give, that clearly savaged, dead looking thing up.

Hope you feel better soon big boy!

 

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

Poor Murphy!!! Lola just had a hot spot a few weeks ago, and thanks to some AMAZING ppl here on DK, I got answers within minutes of my "what do I do now?" freakout!!!! It was on her neck....so I shaved it down myself, and started a hydrogen peroxide/gold bond regimen. I only used peroxide once a day for about 4 days, and used the gold bond powder several times a day....this went on for maybe a week, and it healed on its own. I've attached a picture of what it looked like when I first found it...it was pretty gross!!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

No hot spot issues but those are some super cute pics!! I hope Murphy feels better soon!

[Leslie and Halas]

Poor guy.  I hope the hot spot goes away soon.  That rabbit is really cute. I love the pic where they are both just laying there looking at the rabbit in between them.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

How is poor Murphy today?  I hope he is healing quickly.