Table of Contents
Hot Spot Remedies
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Hot spots are those nasty and extremely painful sores that develop on a dog’s skin and could be the result of many things, such as a little bug bite, a small sore or a scratch on the skin that begins to itch and bother the animal.' As the issue becomes increasingly irritating, the dog will begin to lick, chew and scratch at the area, causing bacteria to grow and before you know it, your puppy has a hot spot. The key with hot spots is to act fast!!! Did you know that a hot spot can go from being barely visible, to several inches in size in just thirty minutes? Did you also know that when the problem goes untreated the spot can increase to twenty times its size in just a day? Like I said, you need to Act Fast!
Here’s how you can treat those hot spots at home, easily and effectively.
First of all you need to clear away some of the fur in the area of the hot spot. Use some K-Y Jelly and apply it to the spot. Hold a couple of fingers against the spot so that you can carefully cut away the fur above your finger line and go beyond the outer edges of the sore approximately one inch. Use warm water to rinse the area well and you’ll find that by using the jelly, the fur has stuck to it and washes out easily. Afterwards use electric clippers to shave off only the fur that surrounds the sore.
Now you need to cleanse the sore well. Use a Water Based Cleanser or antiseptic Betadine if you have it. Be sure that all the cleanser is rinsed away as it could cause further irritation if any were to remain.
Treat the hot spots by using Black Tea Bags, (but don’t use herbal ones). Black tea contains tannic acids, which will help to dry out and heal the sores quickly. Soak the tea bag in hot water and once removed let it cool. Apply the tea bag directly onto the hotspots for about five minutes. Repeat this treatment three to six times every day until the spot is dry and healed.
You can also use some Witch Hazel on the spots, as it will provide a cooling and soothing sensation.
DISCLAIMER
* Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional veterinary prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your veterinarian before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your Veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pet's unique needs or diagnose your pet's particular medical history.
1 YEA
[YEA] 12/03/2007: Uli from Albany, Indiana writes: "Hi everybody, thank you for this wonderful website. I tryed the ACV and Omega 3 on my German Shepard Heidi. She had a very bad Hotspot and is also allergic to Fleas. Been using it for three days now and the Hotspot is dry and hair is already growing back. The allergy seems to slowly go away also. I still have to give her a bath. I will try the babybath, I'm afraid the dawn dishsoap will dry her out some more. She is still scratching but not as often as she did. Hope in a few days it will all be over. If anybody has any more ideas I could try, please let me know. Thanks again U"
04/27/2009: Anna from St.Helena Bay, South Africa replies: "Hi, I have a question about the ACV & Omega3 please....how do I use it? what quantities and how ...together ...mixed??? Anna"
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1 QUESTION
[QUESTION] 07/30/2009: Rox Rub from Sylmar, CA writes: "My dog has a couple of hot spots and I was told to use Aloe Vera Gel directly from the plant which is very healing and helps to dry out the hot spots fast. Is this good to use?"
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1 NAY
[NAY] 10/19/2009: Pam from Sioux Falls, Sd writes: "Hotspot Absurd: I'll tell you what DOESN'T work! I've kept my 5-yr Papillon in bed, WITH ME! for 7 weeks. I have been able to talk her out of biting/scratching every time she does it, but, guess what? The minute "we" got out of bed, she'd start again and I became distraught, medicating her with human's stuff (couldn't get to vet.
NOW, if I don't let her sit on me all the time she just starts biting and I crumble. I got her to the groomer and she shaved her to the pink body skin but knew nothing to do either. (previously the vet knew nothing except antibiotics!!)
Needless to say, she's traumatized by the shaving and every time I go near the medicine she starts to vibrate like many chihuahuas do and she looks like a Mexican hairless so what a misery I've allowed to develop due to ignorance of options and of this site. Thank you thank you."
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ANTISEPTIC POWDER, SEA SALT AND WATER SOLUTION
[YEA] 03/07/2007: Tara from UK writes: "My Black Lab developed 2 hotspots on her belly after we got her spayed. I used a dry antiseptic powder (over the counter brand) which I applied approximately 3 times a day. After a few days of this I then dabbed sea salt and water solution on with cotton wool before I applied the powder. I used the sea salt solution approximately 3 times a day and the powder approximately 3 times a day. After 2 weeks she was completely free of hot spots. It is obviously highly important to the healing process to stop the dog licking the area as much as possible. Best regards"
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12 YEA
1 WARNING!
1 QUESTION
10/15/2009: Maria from Massapequa Park, Ny writes: "Hello, My name is Maria. I recently adopted a yorkie terrier from North Shore Animal League. I was told by the vet there that he has a hot spot & he needs to take the medication COSEQUIN every day for the rest of his life. I,ve been breaking the capsule & putting in his dog food every day as the vet told me to do. Now today it seems to have inflammed. I went online to look @ some home remedies & I notice that Apple cider vinegar seems to do the trick. I read how you can put it in a spray bottle. Should I dilute the vinegar w/ water & if so how much? Thank you, Maria"
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[YEA] 07/16/2009: Diane from Uniontown, PA writes: "Three nights ago I noticed a severely inflamed quarter-sized oozing patch on my cat's neck. Within an hour, that thing had tripled in size! Of course I came to Earth Clinic right away, where I read about the symptoms of hotspots and the ACV treatment. I used about a tablespoon of ACV diluted with another tablespoon of water, on the first day, three times a day. Now I'm doing it twice a day, morning and evening. It is no longer swollen, oozing, or bleeding, just very crusty where it is drying up. After reading about some of the treatments people have had for hot spots from vets, I didn't want to go that route. (Are you aware that steroids can cause diabetes in felines?) The only con is that as another person said, she does smell like a salad! hehe! Thanks again, Earth Clinic!"
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06/09/2009: Wendy from Great Cacapon, WV writes: "i have a black lab with hot spots and i tryed a over the counter hotspot med.It was the menthol that was surpost to keep him from licking. he likes the menthol and it made him lick harder. i will not use a cone on him cuz thats just wrong. i use frontline plus and give him baths every two weeks with flea shampoo. i going to try the acv on him today .ill let you know ty wendy"
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[YEA] 05/26/2009: Donna from Harrisburg, PA writes: "Hi, I tried your ACV treatment on my golden Jack who suffered from hotspots for many years. After trying all kinds of drugs from the vet and trying to care for them myself I found your website. The ACV remedy worked on Jack just after three days of applying 1/4 Acv and 1/4 water. I would mix a new batch for every cleaning. Cleaned his wounds with antibactrial soap rinsed well then dried the areas and dabbed the mixture every few hours for the first few days. It is day five now his sores are dry he seems much more comfortable. And now only applying twice a day. And also I'm amazed at all the other topics you cover. Thanks So Much, Sincerely, Donna from Harrisburg, Pa"
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05/09/2009: Tim1313 from Sarasota, Florida writes: "My rottweiler mix samson recently had a terrible hot spot on his neck. He was tearing himself to pieces and it was terrible watching because I felt so helpless. I tried so many things, nothing worked very well. A friend told me about apple cider vinegar. i thought it sounded like a wives' tale, but figured I can't lose by trying. I applied a diluted mixture of ACV and water and he has completely healed inside of a week. The benefits are truly incredible. I have been mixing a teaspoon in his food everyday, and he has started speaking English. Just yesterday he recited his ABC's flawlessly. Thanks apple cider vinegar!"
EC: Ha ha, very funny!
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[YEA] 04/09/2009: Tracey from Mechanicsburg, PA writes: "My Aussie mix had a hot spot on his back paw that he had licked open for three monts. I tried steroids, antibiotics, homeopathic bandages supposed to deter licking, and even gave him allegy medicine everyday to stop the activity. All to no avail. I then saw the Apple Cider Vinegar post last Saturday and began applying a diluted amount ot his paw three times a day. I also have a "cone" on him so he doesn't mess with the paw until its completely healed. It is now four days later and I can not believe how quickly the wound has almost completely healed! No more open readness and the fur is even coming back. I am very thankful for everyone's feedback regarding the powerful effects of ACV on hot spots!"
[YEA] 04/26/2009: Helene from Stony Point, Rockland County replies: "Thank you for reminding me of acv. I have been using it in our pets h2o for years it helps control fleas plus gives them a shiny coat. Just a teasp.in a bowl of h2o.Today I found a hot spot on our german shep.under his rt.armpit about 3in.by 3in. I I used 1 tablespoon epsom salts and 1 tablespoon acv in 16 oz, h2o. After 3 treatments 2 hours apart the hot spot no longer is oozing and the angry redness is much less. Nero, our G.S.appears much more comfortable. Thank you Thank you, Helene"
11/01/2009: Jean from Park Ridge, Il replies: "WHAT is ACV?"
EC: ACV is an acronym for Apple Cider Vinegar.
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[QUESTION] 03/24/2009: Barbara from Brandon, Mississippi writes: "Is the Apple Cider Vinegar the kind you buy off the shelf at any grocery store or do you have to buy the kind at a health store?
My Chihuahua is broke out with "Hot Spots" but I kinda think it might be "Shingles" I'm going thru a case of Shingles on my head & face. I have heard from people that had shingles & had small dogs in the house that have broke out with Shingles. I was told that dogs can not get it but I really think Rudy has shingles.
Can ACV help Shingles on me & Rudy?"
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[YEA] 11/24/2008: Ken from Gettysburg, PA writes: "After much research on the subject, I was AMAZED at the results i got after using ACV to treat my Goldens' hot spot. A problem 3 times in his 6 years, this last time it would just not clear up. Three trips to my highly respected vet over 2 months, 2 different anti-biotics, cremes, even steriods, still left this one annoying spot about the size of a half-dollar on his face which just wouldn't heal, constantly oozed, and looked like he had ebola or something. I came across this site which recommended the ACV and I have to admit I was skeptical at first but was reluctant to give my best friend another round of medicines that appeared to do nothing to solve this problem while the doctor himself appeared to be stymied suggesting allergy testing, change of food, even suggesting that it was the Goldens' lot in life to suffer this affliction.
WELL, after 2 days of ACV application, the hot spot crusted over, but I had seen this before over the prior 2 months only to have it start bleeding & oozing within 2 days. But this time it stopped bleeding/ozzing and a few days later the spot started to heal & decrease. Now 3 weeks into the treatment , the spot is just a bit smaller than the size of a dime. Sadly though, i wonder if it will ever totally disappear as the hair in this small area has not grown back. I'm now using ACV to clean his ears and i even put a small cap full in his food. After reading of ACVs other benefits, I have started to take some myself. Thanks to all who took the time to research and report back on this treatment."
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[WARNING!] 11/10/2008: Kelly from Brockville, Ontario, Canada writes: "People, People, Please try and remember that if the dog or cat in question has open, bleeding sores from chewing...IT WILL STING LIKE HECK if you spray ACV on your animal. This has been proven by my poor chow cross...
Also...does anyone know what is the best way to sooth freshly bitten ,bloody hind quarters...it seems as soon as she has healed and all the hair has grown back...take off the cone for a second and forget about her....BAm....chewed to heck again...bleeding...poor thing. I was thinking a poltice?
Thanks.. "
EC: The best thing we know of (after 8 years of trying everything under the sun) for hot spots on a dog that licks his wounds obsessively is not a home remedy, but an ointment from the vet called Animax. It starts the healing process immediately and soothes the wound. We apply the ointment to the hot spot and then take the dog for a long walk. The few times that we used the ointment this past year, Max immediately stopped licking the wound, and it healed remarkably quickly. However, turmeric powder (1/8 teaspoon 2x a day) was very helpful in healing a burst benign cyst on Max's paw recently. Took about 2 days to see change, then another 2 weeks for full healing.
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10/01/2008: Janice from Balto, MD, USA writes: "please help: i just found your site. my dog is suffering with hot spots been using cortizone cream and spray . it helps but have to use alot. used acv today with some water added. could give me the right ratio of water and vinager? buster is acting less itchy. also how many times can you use this or other methods in one week if necessary. thank you janice"
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[YEA] 07/20/2008: John from Ten Mile, Tn writes: "ACV for Hot Spots: Our 50 Lb cinnamon retriever/lab mix was itchy & licking herself to death this summer - losing hair in spots and just plain miserable. Already took care of flea concern. This afternoon washed down with ACV and instant relief. Outside dog who swims, but washed down again in 4 hours and yep - just stopped. Will apply regularly as needed - so easy and quick and cheap! Thank you!!"
07/25/2008: Karin from Henderson, NV replies: "Just wondering if I should dilute the apple cider vineger for hot spots...and what the ratio is. Thanks, Karin"
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[YEA] 05/15/2008: Art from Newhall, California writes: "Hot Spots in Dogs: my 2 year old wirehaired fox terrier mix, had a hot spot on his right front paw and was going to take him to the vet but i was told to try this site and had to say was very,very sceptical about about what i read (i have been in the medical field for 13 years as a emt) but read about ACV , and wow did it work in under three days!! i bought a organic brand at T----- J---. this stuff really works!!"
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06/26/2007: Syanne from Ripon, California writes: "I just wanted to thank all of the people giving feedback on what has worked and not worked for healing hot spots on their dogs. I have just started the apple cider vinegar treatment today, so we will see how it goes. Thanks again the all of the helpful information."
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[YEA] 06/25/2007: Christy from Waxahachie, Tx writes: "I have a 12 year old dog named Shelby.She has suffered with hot spots and has lost quite a bit of her hair .I also have a 4 yr old named Madyson. The fleas at my house were taking over. Since trying the Apple Cider Vinegar, our lives have become better. No more fleas on my dogs or in my house. Shelby's hair has started to grow back. It has been fabulous!!! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful information. I have passed it on with hopes that many pets will live happy lives"
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[YEA] 08/26/2006: Holly from Nova Scotia writes: "My Golden Retriever, Lewey,developed what the vet called a "Hot Spot"..it just seemed to appear out of nowhere. A few days earlier a canine aquainted to Lewey for some reason grabbed him on his left ear where this oozing, inflammed area is. I still question if this could have caused this? I read up on these hot spots and as little as a bug bite can bring it on, so how come a dog nip wouldn't? I had brought Lewey to the vet due to what it looked like. He checked him out and said he'd have to give him a cotizone shot, to relieve the itching, also prescribed an Fuciderm Gel with cotizone in it for a week. I was quite uncomfortable with the cortizone but I accepted it anyway. Well needless to say it did clear up some, but he still has a bit left. A couple of days I caught him itching it, so I immediately put an elizabeth collar on him to prevent him from getting at it. So as you can imagine it did not help it when he scratched it! Then I decided to take matters into my own hands. I have been treating Lewey with a hibitane antiseptic wash, then following that I proceed with the Apple Cider Vinegar. How many times a day should I use the vinegar? I do see some improvement, but my question is how long does it take to heal? Time will tell."
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[YEA] 06/28/2006: Patti from Marietta, GA writes: "My girlfirend Dee told me she was putting AVC on her dog's hot spots. After 1 day the spots turned white and after a week the hair was growing back from where the dog scratched it out. Had she gone to the vet it would have taken 3 + weeks for the spot to turn white and even longer for hair to grow back (not to mention a lot of money) She & I have Rottweilers and go though the hot spot phase every summer with our dogs. When she told me this, I checked the web and found your site. I forwarded the information to her to read and we now are firm believers in ACV's cures."
12/02/2008: Mike from Houston, TX replies: "Ask Dee if the spots turning white. Was that a dry healthy white or wet all most infected looking white?"
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[YEA] 06/01/2006: Erika from Little Rock, Arkansas writes: "I have a chocolate lab that gets nasty hot spots on her butt about twice a year. On previous occasions I have taken her to the vet and they've given her corticosteroid injections that didn't work very well. Three days ago another hot spot began and I tried the ACV. Wonderful results!!! I've soaked the area twice a day and for three days the area is dried up and hair is already growing back. She does smell like a salad but it's definitely better than the alternative. Thanks for the tip!!"
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[YEA] Ellen from Charles Town, WV writes: "About 2 months ago, I began using apple cider vinegar in Lady's water; 3T. to a gallon of water and also spraying it diluted on the areas that she had licked and chewed until they bled. I added brewers yeast and olive oil to her daily meal and used a cone on her head when I wasn't with her to stop the licking. I used a plain aloe and olive oil balm on the skin after the vinegar dried. She doesn't need the cone any more as her skin is great and her hair is growing back in."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, EPSOM SALTS
[YEA] 12/13/2008: Joyce from Joelton, Tn writes: "Suggestion for all those dogs (or any other animals) with hot spots:
Have any of you ever tried a saturated solution of epsom salts in apple cider vinegar to swab out those hot spots? Epsom salts has both healing and drying properties and the apple cider vinegar will even cure impetigo which is caused by streptococcus!
Just dissolve epsom salts(2 lb box for $1 at Deals or Dollar Trees) in Heinz ACV (about $2 gallon at Save-a-Lot) until no more will dissolve and swab those hot spots out about 4 times a day. I am sure that neither ES or ACV will harm your dog."
[YEA] 07/17/2009: Yogi from Melbourne, Australia replies: "My chow chow developed a hot spot near his tail that grew alarmingly fast. I tried 50% water 50% apple cider vinegar plus a tablesspoon of epson salts and his spot dried up in 2 days. Thank you for this solution. It worked a lot faster than vet prescribed medication! It was a lot cheaper. And there was no cream to get all over the furniture."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
[YEA] 06/25/2009: Jewishmom from Casselberry, Florida writes: "My Silky terrior has suffered from terrible hot spots, including bleeding and terrible crying. I've brought her to the vet and put her on antibiotis, anti-hystimans, and cortozine cream,and special shampoo, and she would get better, for a while, only to get hot spots again. This particular time, I looked up home remedies and found your info on acv, and thought I would try it. The crying of Madison was so bad, I had to shut my bedroom door, I knew she was in pain. Well I tried the mixture of acv and h20 and of course she yelped,. because it was all open. She yelped for maybe five minutes and now, nothing. Only healing. The first application hurt her, but after that it was a breeze, and three minutes of crying, certainly beats twenty four hours a day(and that was what it was). I am spraying her twice a day now, and she doesn't think of licking it. First dose cured that. Thanks.. Hopefully we'll keep it under control with daily sprays."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 06/07/2009: MaryKay from Savannah, Georgia writes: "Just wanted to responed to your site and give update on the info I used for my toy poodles Hotspots. She had 3 each, 1 on neck, 1 on paw, and 1 on leg. Well I tried the 1/2 cup of ACV and 1/2 water mixture on all 3 spots. The 1 on the neck started scabing over and healing within about 3 days, the ACV worked well. However the ones on the foot and feet could not due to she would continue to lick. I tried using the cone around her neck, however she was still able to lick the spots,the cones are mainley used so they can't scratch around their heads/necks. So I tried the Acv and also Witch Hazel, also Gold bond powder, but she kept licking when not watched. In order for them to heal correctly you have to stop them from licking. So bottom line was, I took her to my vet due to it had been 2 weeks of working on the paw and leg. There is a shot which cost abot $15.00 and pills they can give that cost about $10.00 that will help the inch and irritation and eventually heal the Hot spots, however if you have female that is pregnant then they can not be perscribed, but they do have a cream that cost about $15.00 in that it has really helped with mine, its called Quadritop Ointment. No more licking and starting to heal. So if nothing else works take your pet to the vet. The remedies that people have posted are really good for some but not for all, exspecially if your dog continues to lick the spots. Also hotspots are caused mainly by either skin eritation, insect bite or Flee bite, so insure you get some kind of Flea protection for your pet. Hope this helps."
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