E-COLLAR ISSUES

[Laura Bogar]

Heidi has 2 hot spots and has a topical spray, a pill, and a ointment for conjuctivitus in her eye. She got her cone today and its been 4 hrs and she still will not move. Will not sit down or anything just stands there very depressed. What to do? At this point I think I need to take it off when I can keep a close eye on her. Thank you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Laura, what kind of meds did she get? Steroids are often prescribed for hot spots, and that can cause the kind of behavior you're noticing until the dog adjusts. 

[Laura Bogar]

or conjuctivitus its BNP Ophthalmic Ointment PNB the pill is cephalexin 500 mg for the hot spots, and the spray is genOne topical spray 120 ml...I have not given the pill yet but I will with dinner. She has had the ointment and spray.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You may want to give her some Zantac or Pepcid prior to the Cephalexin, it can nauseate them. I'd give her a chance to get used to the collar, but if you take it off, be sure to watch her like a hawk. The hot spots can't heal if she doesn't leave them alone. 

[Laura Bogar]

Thanks Karen, I have never had so many issues with a dog having hot spots. If she gets nauseated I will try to give her Zantac or Pepcid. I have never given here those before do you know the dosage for that? She is about 50lbs. Someone else also recommended I try to take off the e-collar and give her Benadyl to keep it from itching and also to make her tired so she wont itch?  She has never had issues with allergies until now and she is about a year and a half old so iv also wondered if its even allergies but the vet seemed to believe it was. Its right at her wrist by her dew claw pad on both sides. She eats natural balance LID duck and sweet potato but I think I will switch flavors soon as she seems to be losing interest...She used to eat it right up 1.5 cups twice a day but now, she kinda eats it throughout the day but id like her to eat it right up...Sorry for my rambling!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Allergies generally don't show up in dogs until they are between 1 and 3 years old, so it's certainly possible that she does have them. 

Dosage for Pepcid (generic is famotidine) : 0.25 to 0.5 mg per pound (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg) every 12 hours.

Zantac (ranitidine) dosage is .5 to 1 mg per lb. JD weighs 80 lbs and takes a 75 mg tablet twice a day, you should be good with a half tablet twice a day.  

There's no harm in trying the Benadryl. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, and it's usually best to give the Zantac or Pepcid about 30-60 minutes before the antibiotics, rather than waiting to see if the meds nauseate her. If they do, she'll most likely lose them. :) 

[Laura Bogar]

Sorry I didnt see this sooner but so far we are good. Its been maybe an hr since dinner and shes fast asleep with her new inflatable e-collar :) Seems been doing a little better with this collar.. She will move but is still depressed... She is a very active doodle and wont sit still very long...We usually go on 5 walks around the neighborhood per day and play a good game of fetch... She hasnt moved all day..How can she be so depressed?!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad she is more comfortable with this collar. I hope those hot spots heal quickly.

[Laura Bogar]

Thank you so much Karen, I will keep you updated.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I also think an inflatable e-collar is a good investment. In the life of a dog, you can bet you're going to have some occasion where it's needed, and if you don't, the price was still worth it, lol. 

[Laura Bogar]

I guess its worth giving it a shot but im afraid she will react the same way. Thanks though!

[F, Calla & Luca]

If it can keep the dog from where the hot spot is. Often they are near the paw and the dog could still reach them.