Totally frustrated with hotspots..

[moe]

We've tried everything to cure Duke of his hotspot licking, and are running out of options and finances. The vet has been working on it too, and she is just as frustrated. Duke is on anti-anxiety medication, and this has helped with everything but the licking. Sometimes, he will go days without irritating this leg but then, he will tear into it until it bleeds and swells. I know that it probably itches in the healing stage but we've tried everything imaginable to prevent the licking, (ointments) he will lick off and then puke.. We've tried the Elizabethan collar ( he totally freaked/panted for an hour & wouldn't move) all kinds of wraps & covers (chews them off), bitter apple, sulfodene, anti-lick strips (ingredients: cayene pepper,gr.oregano leaf, lemon powder the licking & clove oil), many anti-itch ointments..the list goes on and on. Duke has had this problem since we adopted him 2 years ago; he is a beautiful dog (vizla, dobie mix) and we love him, he is the sweetest dog ever; but this hotspot thing is driving us nuts! Any advice will truly be considered..Mountain dog people HELP!! BTW we have two other pets (dog & cat) & they are loving towards Duke..so I don't think that they are the problem either..

[Nanuk]

Duct tape.

Put it over areas he bites, and if that doesn't work, put it around his muzzle so he can't bite.

Heh.

[moe]

Actually we've tried it (duct tape) this was recommended by the vet..he chewed it off!! The muzzle we haven't tried yet though..hmm!

[eman]

My dog did the same. What we did is took her off dog food. She ate raw chicken wings bone and all.
Within a week it was gone and haven't had aproblem since.
Search b.a.r.f. Diet.

[moe]

I tried that diet with our other dog..he became very ill and almost died. Let me ammend this a bit Sparky tried the raw food diet, not quite the same as what "eman" suggested. I will not try the raw anything diet for my dogs again..

[itsapyr]

Where is his hotspot?
And what are you feeding him?

[moe]

It is on his front right leg in several different areas. We have tried just about every food on the market and nothing seems to help, this is just an extreme habit of his that he has had since we adopted him two years ago (he was abused his first 1 1/2 years of his life). He is under veterinary care & we are trying to work this out..my post is (was) out of frustration, but thank you all for your compassionate contributions :<)
Please care lovingly for your animals, because they definitely have feelings, that they can not share with us. I know that Duke is much happier living on the mountain, with his freedom & mountain walks, it just angers me that someone in his past, destroyed part of his life & that he may never heal!

[itsapyr]

That is just sad. I wasn't sure if a BiteNotCollar would work for him but not on a front leg. I also have an abused rescue dog and it can be so frustrating when you just can help them with their fears.

[Geri]

I had a Westie that did this. Used to drive me nuts, licking all day and all night long. Some kind soul suggested rice in the diet. Though it didn't stop it entirely. It did help with the skin irritations and he did not lick as much, especially as he got older. I would feed him just plain rice twice a week and if we had leftover rice from a meal, I'd mix that with his food. Good Luck. Been there...feel your pain.

[Chutney Daftcraft]

I know this sounds crazy, but what about putting a hard cast on his leg?

[MountainMoon22]

I was just looking at the raw food diet for my dogs, one has hotspots on her back, does it really help? I'm just envisioning puking dogs all over the house.

[moe]

I know this sounds crazy, but what about putting a hard cast on his leg?

I have been considering this..if his meds don't help, then I will ask to have one made for him.

[moe]

I was just looking at the raw food diet for my dogs, one has hotspots on her back, does it really help? I'm just envisioning puking dogs all over the house.

I would inquire with your vet first! I did this with Sparky and he became very ill, he had uncontrollable diarrhea..very nasty stuff!

[lar]

I thought this thread was about wifi areas. I did not know hotspots were from anxiety or diet.

[MoeMoe]

I know this sounds crazy, but what about putting a hard cast on his leg?
great idea!! really