Hi Everyone

I have just taken my 7 month old puppy to the vet as he has a rash on his belly,I only noticed it this morning, I thought he was just cleaning himself but on closer inspection I noticed 2 round red patches, slightly raised, one of them is in his groin and that looked particularly sore, (Although he hasnt touched them any more today) The vet has given him some antibiotics, but I wondered if there was anything I could put on them as well.  He is a long haired GSD and I have noticed after reading this board that a lot of them get Hot Spots, is that only in warm weather? Last weekend, freezing as it was he decided to go for a swim in the brook that runs alongside the field he walks in, when we got home I dried him best I could but wondered if that may have caused the rash.. Did mention all this to the vet, but not much joy just said it was an infection.

Hi

I do hope I don't get battered for this but sometimes hot spots can be caused by the food that they are fed on. Various friends on the otherside of the pond have had similar problems with their Newfies and changed diet which in some cases solved it. Others had more complex health issues so it might not be anything to do with diet but thought it might be of help to you.

Regards
Stu

I certainly agree with you Stu -in fact I used to work for a vet who specialised in food allergies. My Papillon got a rash from one type of food, it all went when I changed it. :)

Thanks for your replies.. The vet didnt think it was an allergy to food as it was confined to just his tummy, he is fed on JWB and it seems to suit him, apart from this rash he looks in wonderful condition the vet remarked on his stunning coat..It looks a bit better today, dont like giving him antibiotics if I can help it but if it works all well and good, I just wondered if there was something I could bathe it with, didnt like to ask the vet as it cost me £78 for one visit.

You could try a little diluted Hibiscrub to bathe it with. you can get it from most chemists (usually from the pharmacy counter) and it's less than £3 a bottle. Dilute 1 part Hibiscrub to 10 parts water and dab on the affected area. It helps to stop the area from becoming infected.

HTH

I wonder if it's ringworm or other fungal infection?? Certainly Newfs can have hot spots, though mine have never had them(I put that down to their excellent care and food!! :D :D :D)

If it cost that much for a visit I would change Vets!!

Hi, Thanks once again for your replies, I will try Hibiscrub today.  In reply to newfidreams I also have another GSD who is over 7 yrs old, she has never had any probs at all,,I like to think both my dogs have excellent care regarding diet etc., as regards the vetsbill I thought it was exhorbitant, the afternoon I took my puppy into the vets he started to limp slightly, mentioned this to the vet who gave him some metacam (sods law he was fine when he got home) plus the antibiotics, must admit I was shocked at the £78 bill.....She said because he was a large dog he needed larger doses !!!!!

Kizzy, that wasn't a judgment call on your care Hun!!! Much more a comment about other Newfies that I've met...most of which are far too fat and never get enough execise!!  People seem to think that as they have a giant breed they don't need execise and they can stuff them full of rubbish food(which is cheaper!) I see a lot in the ring, that if they HAD to do a days work, wouldn't get past 8.30am!!! Take care, Dawn X

Hi Dawn

Thanks for your reply, No offence taken.   yes totally agree with you regarding newfies, there is one where i take my dogs and it is like a Huge pony grossly overweight poor thing it can hardly walk...the thing is the owner almost brags about the size of him, he is only about 18 months old. Stupid man.

Tell me about vet fees. To have 2 visits to check my boys ears cost over £300 and it turns out nothing was wrong with them

Kizzy I came across this last night. Might be of some help http://www.gsdhelpline.com/

Thanks minipeace, that was most helpful
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