1st Hot Spot...

[Breanne, Dave & Maizy!]

Maizy had a clump of hard fur under her ear canal and I thought it was just wax. I brought her to my groomer/friend to have her take a look. She said it is a hot spot. It does not seem to hurt her when I touch it. Groomer shaved around it. She said it looks as if it is drying up. She gave me some first aide cream to put on it. I am going to keep my eye on it. If it is hard and drying up do I still need to take her to the vet?

[Gail and Bailey]

Bailey gets hot spots.  Usually I will see her scratching an area repeatedly and I can jump on it and medicate but recently I was petting her and found a spot just like you described.  It was not new.... it was a hard scab with fur in it.  This is the 3rd time she has had one of these and I leave them alone.  If I saw any sign of infection or moisture I would worry however,  I have kept an eye on them and eventually the hair grows out and the scab comes off with the hair.  When she has a fresh "bloody" patch (horrible looking in her white fur) I gently clean it and put a lotion on it that I got from the vet.  It is a leave-on lotion called Resi KetoChlor.  You pat dry the area and just apply (dab it on, don't rub) a good amount of this lotion and leave it on.  I try to cover it with something for a couple hours so she doesn't scratch it again until the area is soothed by the lotion....keeping her busy with something to chew on or taking her for a long walk.  These spots are usually on her neck or the side of her face. My past Bedlington terriers got hot spots all the time and that is when I learned about the lotion Resi KetoChlor.....it has worked well for us.  Hope this helps. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

KetoChlor is what Jack's veterinary dermatology specialist also recommends for hot spots. We have also used it mixed with a topical steroid for infections on his feet.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Breanne, how is the "hot spot" or whatever it is, today? Any improvement with the cream the groomer gave or did you take her to the vet? I am more the wait and see type of dog owner. Good or bad, it works for us, so I'm hoping it is better on its own and no infection is brewing like was mentioned.

[Breanne, Dave & Maizy!]

Hi all. Thanks for your concern and advise. Maizy is just fine. The vet say it isn't a hot spot, rather a scab that is growing out normally. Continue with the cream. Thanks :) 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That makes more sense. I'm glad she's fine. :)