Just as my youngest has come back into coat & I've entered her for a few shows, it looks like I'm going to have to shave the side of her face because she's got a hotspot!

The first thing I noticed was a tiny spot of blood on the side of her face. I think her mother had been licking it also during the night. So out came the Hibiscrub and gave it a good scrub.

It has now spread somewhat, and I'm now faced with cutting the hair back (she's a Golden retriever so fairly long hair) just so we can treat it more effectively & to help the air to get to it. She's been fairly quiet & it's obviously painful for her. I have been cleaning/drying throughly 3 x a day for 2 days, & have added Fuciderm or last night Aloe Vera Gel.

As I haven't had this for such a long time, is anyone aware of any oral antibiotics she could take to help aid healing? I know when I take her to the vet (will probably take her as it's looking pretty sore and big this morning) they'll shave most the hair off the side of her face which will put paid to any thoughts of showing her for a long time!

Have no idea what's caused this, but as she's such a mud monster, I wouldn't be surprised if she's scratched herself running through brambles and then sat in some dirty ground water (not difficult atm!). So frustrated, these things are usually pretty bad before we've even noticed!

Also, is there any powder I can sprinkle on which will help aid healing and keep it dry?

Benzyle benzoate will sort it without clipping the hair.

If you want to use a powder then I always kept Veterinary Wound Powder in the first aid kit.  But I'd use benzyl for a hot spot.

Thanks for the reply. Any idea how to get hold of some?

Did a bit of research online last night & it seems Apple Cider Vinegar diluted and sprayed on will quickly heal the area. My main concern about using this would be how painful putting something acidic on weeping red skin would be.

After cleaning thoroughly this morning, it doesn't seem quite so bad, fingers crossed...

Hyperdrug?  It comes will all sorts of warnings these days - elf n safty and all that - but I've used it for 40 years and haven't found anything better for anything that crawls or hotspots. :)

I always had a bottle in the cupboard. :)

Ditto, re minimising hair loss. 

I have found with the wound powder will will dry things up, and stop the spread. 

Once you get a scab I have found rubbing in alovera gel or even vaseline softens the scab so that when it sloughs off it doesn't take the hair with it.

Myka had a patch on her face like this (probably by being grabbed by the then pup), and it wasn't noticeable very quickly, say a week or so.

Thank you so much both of you!

Have just found the Benzyl Benzoate on Hyperdrug and ordered a bottle. When it comes, do I dilute or use neat? Have also ordered some antibacterial vet powder so should have the tools for the job!

Our old Golden, now now longer with us, was allergic to flea bites and would break out in hotspots whenever he picked one up. Poor lad, they're so painful too, but I think going to the vet is sometimes more traumatic for them than dealing with it at home. My youngster will allow me to sort it out although when I'm coming for her with the hibiscrub soaked cotton wool, she is sitting there quaking. Funny really, but much better that I can make it better as she does trust me bless her and I've always been calm.

Thankfully (touching wood here) most minor things can be dealt with at home, we're almost at the point of only vet visits for boosters now (I'm even thinking of titre testing mine).

Good to know the vet is there when you really need them, but the total cost of the goods I've ordered today is still less than the consultation fee without any treatment!

I use Virbac Dermacool, a spray, it stops irritation immediately it is applied and the skin returns to normal in a day or so depending on how quick you catch it but I have seen a red raw weeping area turn into a normal coloured day patch of skin in 48 hours.

Personally I wouldn't use the wound powder as I caused an awful problem with one of my Bernese once using this. It just clogged it to a huge mass on her back which we struggled to get rid of. Wet eczema needs to be kept clean, dry and plenty of air. Dilute Hibiscrub to dab on ( as you rightly say, it is very painful) then rinse and, most importantly, dry thoroughly. Whatever you do, don't use the Benzyl Benzoate neat. 1: 100 is a recommended dilution. I would get a 3 day couse of Preds from the vet to take the inflamation out of it and make her more comfortable.  It is a truly horrible condition.

I have even resorted to a hairdryer on cold setting after the treating with hibiscrub etc.  Certainly made sure it was dry and my girl seemed to find it soothing too.

Excuse my ignorance but what is a "hotspot"? 

I have heard the term used in humans where areas of cancer/secondaries on scans have pinpointed affected areas.

>Excuse my ignorance but what is a "hotspot"? 

In dogs 'hotspot' usually refers to a patch of wet eczema.

Thanks