Lauren (Crawfordville, Fl) on 11/04/2014
Out of the blue she also started having bad breath, gray gook in her eyes every morning and she started to smell bad - even a day after bathing her. She got some aid from the Vetericyn and Oatmeal baths but only temporarily so I spent time researching online and putting together a plan of attack.
For quick relief (as suggested by so many people here) I began spraying 50/50 organic ACV (Walmart) & warm water all over her under belly and armpits and let it air dry. I could not believe it - she felt better immediately. I bought plain yogurt, which she loves (Publix), Probiotic Miracle and Enzyme Miracle (Amazon), I add all 3 and some water to her dry food and mix it well. She eats it up like crazy. When she's done I give her 1 Probiotic Acidophilus, 2 billion active cultures, human vitamin a day (Walmart). I also add 1 tsp. of organic ACV to all the water bowls.
UNBELIEVABLE - as of today, 4 days later, there's no itching or licking whatsoever and the flaking is 95% gone. There's very little gook in her eyes and absolutely no sign of a bad odor, she actually smells nice for the first time in months. My babygirl is doing GREAT, she's got more energy, she's eating well and is so obviously feeling much better all the way around. Also, I bought her all organic/grain free treats - have you read the labels lately on the treats you are giving your dogs? I was shocked!! I will continue to give her the products listed above, possibly for the rest of her life. Even though the black skin and bad breath aren't a nuisance to her, I'm hoping they too will go away soon with this new regimen.
Either way, she went from being miserable to the happiest girl on the planet in just a few days and the worst is way behind us, incredible. Awesome website......my only regret is that I didn't find earth clinic a few months sooner. Next time I have any health concerns for myself, my family or my dogs, this website will be my first stop, for sure.
Replied By Debbie (Portslade, Uk) on 11/08/2014
Bath in a anti fungal shampoo. Once a week. Rinse well. And then soak her everywhere with a solution of Distilled WHITE vinegar/half warm water. Allow to dry.
Put the same solution in a spray bottle, for daily use on bad arrears and dunk paws in at bed time.
Use bottled or filtered water. Not tap water. Add 1 teaspoonful of white vinegar.
Stay away from the ACV. Apples=sugar.
Replied By Kathy (Navarre) on 11/08/2014
Replied By Kay (Victoria) on 01/18/2015
Replied By Kathy (Houston. Tx) on 02/21/2015
Replied By Debbie Landa (North Woodstock , Nh) on 07/28/2015
Replied By Wendy (Ohio) on 07/29/2015
Follow the recommendations of Lauren (Crawfordville, Fl) who posted above. Most importantly, change her food to one without grain, without corn and without rice. And, get some organic Apple Cider Vinegar (the brand that begins with "Br"). Mix a solution in a spray bottle of 1/2 ACV and 1/2 distilled water. Spray all over the dog, getting her completely soaked, and let her air-dry. You can also add a tablespoon of the ACV into her water or her food. Do the ACV (both spraying and in her food) for at least a couple of months to see the benefits.
Replied By Maria (Ma.) on 02/23/2016
Replied By Joy (Oakland, Michigan ) on 08/31/2016
my 4 yo, Max, suffers from hot spots as well. Vet gave an expensive script spray of Relifor ...4 oz bottle cost $25+ and didn't seem to work. A border collie mix at about 55 lbs...grain free food doesn't agree with him. A sensitive stomach & skin. The previous owner and foster mom had him on Purina dog chow healthy morsels..first ingredient is corn (ugh) I've only had him about 2 months.
I can't afford the expensive prescription food..not at $75 a 20 lb bag..so I've switched him over to Purina's Pro plan for sensitive skin and stomach. First ingredient is salmon. He's eating better but his skin still has the hotspots..at 55 lbs I'm going to try the Apple Cider Vinegar In food and as a spray. Hope it works.
Replied By Sharon (Rockaway Beach, Oregon) on 06/26/2017
EC: Usually for hot spots a solution of one half water and one half apple cider vinegar is used. If the skin is broken, less apple cider vinegar is used to avoid irritating the skin.