Skin problem - what to do?

[Kirsy & Jasper]

Jasper has been nibbling the top of his paw and the back of the first joint on his leg for months. I finally shaved off the hair to see what is going on there. He gets a scab, that crumbles off once he nibbles and then it wets underneath. Never getting a chance to heal.  I tried to bandage it with a cotton sock, but he seems to nibble through it. If I use a real band aid it won't get any air to heal...I am thinking.

Could this be some kind of skin cancer? 

I guess another vet visit is needed.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree....it does sound like a hot spot.  I think I'd have the Vet take a look.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

It sounds like a hot spot to me, too. It could have started as a bug bite or a small injury, but, because the dog keeps licking it, it can't dry out and go away.

I agree with Andrea that the cone is the best way to keep Jasper from licking the area. It is also helpful to see the vet and get a bottle of Gentaved spray. It contains an antibiotic to clear up any infection and alcohol to dry out the wound.

Cosmo had a couple of hot spots this summer, and Gentaved cleared them up in just a couple of days. Because we used Grannick's Bitter Apple with Cosmo when he was young, the smell of the alcohol kept him away from the spot--at least until the alcohol dried up! We used a cone the rest of the time.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree, does not sound like cancer to me; a hot spot due an allergic reaction or some kind of bite would be my guesses as well.

You can try using an OTC anti-itch spray on it. Even if you use a cone to prevent him from getting at the area, it's obviously itching badly and I'd want to try to get him some relief for that. The vet may give you something like Gentocin spray, or KetoChlor lotion, both of which have helped tremendously when JD has had hot spots from his allergies without having to resort to steroids or other oral meds. I think a vet visit is a good idea.

[Kirsy & Jasper]

Thank you all for the replies. Not sure it is a hot spot. As we just finished winter here in Australia and it needs to be hot to get a hot spot doesn't it? I washed his scab, which was all dry today with a bag of warm chamomile tea. Then dried the area, put on some colloidal silver spray, which has antiseptic properties and has been used successfully for centuries for burns, open wounds, rashes etc. He seems to like it! Very soothing. Then I put on a cotton bandage with a sock over it. We decided not to take him to the dog beach at the moment to keep him dry and sand out of it. If this does not help within a week I will go to the Vet.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No,  a "hot spot" is a type of moist dermatitis, and really has nothing to do with heat. I think the word "hot" refers to the fact that it's volatile in that it bothers the dog and can become a serious infection.

You really do need to let the air get at it for it to heal. keeping it protected and clean at the beach and outdoors is a good idea, but it does need to get air the rest of the time. That's where preventing him from licking or biting it is crucial.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I agree with Karen--hot spots do not require hot weather to happen.

The key for getting them to clear up quickly is to keep them absolutely dry and allowing air to get to them--so shaving the area, as you did, is important. I'm not sure that the bandage and sock will allow enough air flow.

Cosmo's first hot spot had been bothering him for a several days, with me putting antibiotic ointment on it, without clearing up. I took him to the vet; she shaved it and gave us the Gentaved; and it was completely gone in 48 hours! No scab, no nothing, just healthy skin.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think the Gentaved must be similar to the Gentocin spray I was given. I think both may be derived from the active ingredient in Gentian Violet, a plant which has long been used to treat skin infections. That's also where the popular "blue ear wash" comes from.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

That's interesting!

When I peeled back the label the vet's office put on the bottle (which says "Gentaved"), the manufacturer (VetOne) label says "GenOne Spray Gentamicin Sulfate and Betamethasone Valerate."

I'd not heard about the Gentian Violet connection--another clue to follow up!

Not sure about the ear wash--from what I have read, gentamicin is toxic to the sensory cells in the ear. So maybe it's a different derivation.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's what I found:

Definition of GENTAMICIN

: a broad-spectrum antibiotic mixture derived from an actinomycete (Micromonospora purpurea or M. echinospora) and extensively used as the sulfate in treating infections (as of the urinary tract)

Origin of GENTAMICIN

alteration of earlier gentamycin, from gentian violet + kanamycin;from the color of the actinomycete

First Known Use: 1963

It appears that the name is derived from Gentian Violet, but not the substance itself.

[Kirsy & Jasper]

That BLUE EAR WASH Karen is talking about is FANTASTIC. Jasper hasn't had an ear infection for 3 years now. Since I started using it only about once a month as a prevention.

Made a Vet appointment for tomorrow now. Will keep you posted. X

[Kirsy & Jasper]

Been to Vet with Jasper today. He has tarsal & metatarsal dermatitis and a reactive lymph node possibly associated with the infection. He is now on antibiotics (Rilexine), antibacterial cream (Neotopic lotion) and bandaged (breathable) till healed to stop licking. He also has "itchy anus". Anti fungal cream (Canesten) for this one. No ocean swims or water till healed. I made him some undies with a whole cut just big enough to fit his tail through...so he can't nibble beneath.

All the things we do for our babies. LOL.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I'm sorry to hear it's more than just a simple hot spot, but I'm so glad you took Jasper in to the vet.

Keeping our fingers and paws crossed that Jasper will be over this very soon!