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Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 02/14/2007

Turns out that all the things I was doing to treat Max (tea tree and lavender oil, cayenne, ACV, etc.) made the hotspot much worse -- poor guy! Mea culpa! In fact, the hotspot turned into a bad staph infection and I had to treat it with antibiotics. My holistic vet told me to keep the area shaved and next time, to use a solution of epsom salts dissolved in water with a drop of Povidone iodine by holding a soaked piece of gauze to the area. I also have to keep Max on flea control year round since hotspots are most likely caused by flea bites. 3 months of Advantage, then 3 months of Frontline, back and forth, since fleas become "immune" to one brand if you use it too long. If the hotspot was not caused by an allergy, the vet told me, it's possible his hips are painful and he is biting that area to get at the pain.
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Replied By Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 06/26/2007

Max hasn't had a hotspot in months. I am assuming now it is because he has constant flea control (Frontline 3 months, Advantage 3 months) and because the weather in very, very dry. No rain in Georgia for a long time now. When I lived in Los Angeles, his hotspots similarly happened during the rainy season starting January. The epsom salts and povidone iodine worked great though, I have to say.
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Replied By Deborah (Cartersville, Georgia ) on 06/22/2008

I'm curious what type of dog Deidra has. I have two full blooded black labs, brother and sister, a half black lab, 1/4 blue heeler, 1/4 australian shepard, and a 1/2 newfouldland a 1/2 great pyrenees. One of my full blooded black labs, Belle, has come down with horrible hot spots, I thought it was from fleas, which we have shampooed her for and treated with frontline, and spray, she loves to swim in our in ground pool so I worry it is washing off , we also have horses and it's almost impossible to keep her out of their watering trough. I am desperate to get him some relief, so I coated her in babyoil and put her back to bed. all four dogs stay in the pasture all day with our horsres and then come in at night to our basement where it is always 70 degrees year round. i keep there bedding clean and washed so not to have any flea problems. Just Belle has the hot spots, Max(her brother), Rocky and Mapalo are fine.
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Replied By KDenise (Stone Mountain, GA) on 05/29/2009

PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN USING TEA TREE OIL ON PETS*** While tea tree oil has many desirable qualities, it can be highly TOXIC to pets, particularly cats and birds. Do your research first. Don't assume it won't be harmful to your dog.
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