what causes hot spots? my leo had 1 near his tail a while ago and took ages to heal with cream from the vets.now he has the start of another at the top of his leg.i brush him regular and make sure he has no lugs/knots in his coat esp in his breachs.because he was licking it he made a knot so i cut some of his fur to get it out.he is going to the vets today for cream etc as the sooner we get some on the better.he has a neck brace which he hates from last time,but i think he can still get to it even with it on.
is this a skin problem that could be tested for? i hate see him with sore skin that weeps.the cream stings him and he isn't easy to hold down to do it either.is it a common thing with leo's or thick coated dogs? is there any thing i can do to help stop him getting them?
normally he is fine and just has a itch now and then like all dogs it is making me wonder if he has a skin issue i dont know about.
thanks for any advice it can only help him and me.

You could try adding rock sulphur to his drinking water - people I've spoken too seem to think it helps prevent hotspots as well as cooling the dog down :)

Sounds like ezxema (sp)  to me or an allergic reaction

Bev

if he swims make sure you dry him as much as possible,My leo used to get hot spots,and Im sure it was because she used to lay down wet and would stay hot and damp for hours!.after towel drying her after every swim shes free from hot spot.

he does go swimming,i don't think he would get out.lol
been to the vets got some more cream and had the area shaved to help it dry up.she said it could be the weather and him getting hot area's etc.he goes in the pool and splashes around so i wonder if thats it. she also said it could be just sensitive skin so if it happens again going to have some test done.he has had his glands emptied but wasn't alot so she doesn't think it is bacause of this,like last time with his tail.i know his litter sister has had problems with an ear infection for ages so i wonder if it is a skin issue.

I've got one clearing on my young girl at the moment, which I think is from an insect bite.

It's cleared up in no time - washed twice daily with salt water, thoroughly dried, then applied wound powder (available cheaply from any pet shop).  After a couple of days when area was drier, just applied wound powder daily, and it's healed beautifully.

M.

Hi Brihow Collies
Wasthe powder Vetzyme??, years ago I had a rough collie who was prone to hot spots, cost me a fortune at the vets (sorry Marrie) and this powder worked so well and only cost a couple of quid!! I still keep it in stock now just in case.

Yep, that's the one - effective and easy treatment for £2.75 without a visit to the vet ;)  (Obviously, would have been to the vet in an instant if I thought it was necessary, or if it showed signs of spreading.)

Marina

can i but it from pet shops? i will keep some in and give it ago,can't lose by trying. cost me just under £50 today but he is worth it and insured.this is the 2nd is 5 months and last time it took weeks to heal.keep going back for checks just to be told carry on with the cream.
leomad don't worry about it, if it helps tob im all for it.hes going nuts at the moment just put some more cream on. i think it could be when he splashes in his pool but i can't take them away from him now it wouldn't be fair.just have to walk round with a towel ready to give him a rub.i don't like him being shaved but if he needs to be then i have to accept it,the sooner he is normal again the better.
took 3 of us to hold when they shaved him.it was fun and now he has a drafty spot but its not too obvious.

Snap basically same method as me :D

I have personally found the best way to treat hotspots that occur on my double coated breed at this time of year if they get damp to the skin and are not dried (as after a bath) that I wash the affected area with diluted 'Hibiscrub' then apply Vetzyme antiseptic powder.

The first kills both bacteria and fungi that can enter the skin where it has been licked or scratched.  The powder dries off the icky oozy puss that makes the hair stick to the skin causing more irritation. 

When treated like this I find they are dried up within a day or two and the skin looses it's heat and redness and then the hair grows back rapidly.

As my dogs are shown I prefer to avoid loosing great patches of their coat as it would take months to regrow.

one of my labs suffers from hot spots, about 2 months ago he had 2 really bad ones under his chin, i had to take him to vets, they shaved fur off under the chin cleaned it up, gave me 2 weeks supply of steroids some shampoo, and antibiotics, and it came to £180, but it did work, but if it comes back i will try the powder you have spoken about. sue