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Lauren (Crawfordville, Fl) on 11/04/2014
5 out of 5 stars

One of my German Shepherds tends to get hot spots during the summer months. We live in FL, she's constantly swimming in a pool and the Gulf and she has a thick double layered coat that takes forever to dry. Vetericyn spray always helped in summer's past and I've got her on Earthborn Holistic Grain Free Dry Food, which she's always done well with. This summer was hardly manageable, not so much with the hot spots but itchy/flaky and black skin appeared and did not go away when the cooler weather came in.

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.

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Replied By Debbie (Portslade, Uk) on 11/08/2014

I would change to raw feeding. raw meat. raw bones. NO treats. NO biscuits.

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.

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Replied By Kathy (Navarre) on 11/08/2014

It's wonderful that you've gone holistic with your pet... I hope you've done so with yourself also... The issues/symptoms that your dog is having are 99% likely to your dog being in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and your pool (if it's chlorine)... These issues affect humans as well as animals... Her skin, itching, breath and the "gook" coming out of her eyes are all related health issues... She is sick and detoxing... Wonderful as I said that you've researched online and, incidentally if you weren't aware, specifically your holistic approach is part of the treatment for those affected by the toxins... The VOC's are plentiful in the water and are also airborne... The chemicals used to "treat" the GOM also bind with chlorine in pools... Good luck and stay safe yourself...
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Replied By Kay (Victoria) on 01/18/2015

I am trying 50/50 Apple Cider Vinegar and water on my dogs itchy paws ...but she is diabetic and wnder if sugar in this vinegar is a good idea? Might try plain white instead ..love the website .. thankyou
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Replied By Kathy (Houston. Tx) on 02/21/2015

Thanks for the "plan of attack" on the hotspots. I have 2 beagles suffering with it. I'm a groomer, so I have tried every expensive product out there, to no avail. I wondered if Apple Cider Vinegar would help and I'm so happy to hear how this has worked for your dog. We're starting on it today. Thanks again.
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Replied By Debbie Landa (North Woodstock , Nh) on 07/28/2015

My 11 year old German shepherd mix has been suffering from skin problems every summer. Her belly is pretty much black but areas mixed in that look pink. Her coat has many areas of flaky type of packes all over wspecially under the black saddle part! She scratches and I was told to get her Benadryal to help relieve it. I have shampoos oatmeal and aloe and sprays. But I feel so bad for her. I rinse her off every time she goes into the river! She loves it . Please do you think your remedy will help my girl . Thank you deb
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Replied By Wendy (Ohio) on 07/29/2015

To Debbie Landa in NH:

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.

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Replied By Maria (Ma.) on 02/23/2016

I tried your remedy tonight and my puppy seems to be doing better tonite. not scratching at all but still licking some. How often should I spray my dog w/ the acv/water solution? Thanks,
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Replied By Joy (Oakland, Michigan ) on 08/31/2016

The ACV brand is "Bragg" possibly?

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.

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Replied By Sharon (Rockaway Beach, Oregon) on 06/26/2017

Have tried this solution and I didn't have the measurements of each of the ingredients correct but it still worked a little bit anyway!! LOL I can almost see it in my mind the proper measures will make all the difference.

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. 

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