Hot Spot on top of My Bullmastiff's left ear

[MrsPincince]

Hi Guys...I'm at a loss for Ideas. My precious Bella Mia has had this hot spot for about 2 months now. I've tried witch hazel, medicated powder, A&D ointment. I don't know what else to do. My question is, what is the quickest remedy (besides heading to the vet) to get rid of this thing? It's not a big area but it's big enough for my liking. It's about the size of a quarter. It is bald, and she scratches at it all the time. My next option is to get a cone and try the witch hazel, powder, & A&D ointment again. Maybe with her not scratching it, it will give the hot spot a chance to heal. I really don't want to take her to the vet and have them prescribe me unnecessary medication. I raw feed her and the only "shot" she gets is her rabies and she does get front line treatments to prevent fleas. Other than that the raw feeding keeps her VERY healthy. I never need to take her to the vet. But with this I'm thinking I may have no choice. Before I do, I'd really love to pick the brain of anyone that may have a suggestion

[Misfits4Me]

Hello to you, too....I'm questioning if this is actually a Hot Spot.....I would think it would have healed by now.....Usually, hot spots ooze a clear liquid & it's a mess...Are you seeing that?

My first thought was a Ring Worm lesion, but IMO Ring worm is so contagious that I would think she would be covered with them by now & so would you.....

So, that leaves me with an outbreak of Localized Demodectic Mange! (Not contagious by the way)...

I believe I wouldn't guess any longer...A simple skin scrape at your Vets can tell you exactly if this is a parasite, fungus, or bacteria....The itching is only going to increase the chances of a Bacterial Infection & if it turns into a Staph Infection, it's rather hard to treat......

Let us know what you find out & good luck.......Karla

[Des_a_rae]

You're so welcome..Good luck with your lil girl. :)   Please keep me posted if it works.  I hope my dog doesn't get another one, but if this works for yours and IF he happens to get another one, I'll try that! lol

[MrsPincince]

Thanks...I'm definitely going to try the listerine  and gold bond....Much appreciated:)

[Des_a_rae]

Hi there :).  My dog had one awhile back. He's a boxer/bulldog and it was between his eye and his ear, kinda on the upper cheek.  Anyways, I took a picture to the vet and got meds for it, but I found this and hope it helps.  Several people have commented on it helping so maybe it will help for you. :)   Good luck!!   Oh and as far as #1, I didn't trim the hair around my dogs and it healed fine lol.  

Treatment for hot spots is usually fairly simple.
1.  First, use clippers or a razor to trim away the hair surrounding the irritated area.  This will keep the area next to the hot spot form becoming infected and allow you to see the entire area that needs to be treated.
2.  Bathe the hot spot with a good antiseptic solution or an astringent.  Many dog breeders use the original Listerine mouthwash for this purpose as it kills germs.
3.  Apply a good medicated powder to the area such as Gold Bond Powder.  This kind of powder will help dry out the hot spot and help it heal.  Gold Bond is good as it contains zinc and menthol and most dogs find the taste unappealing so they won’t lick the powder off the wound.  It also prevents the hot spot from itching.


And one lady commented and said this...    
The only Listerine I had was the "Orange flavored" kind. I USED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE and it worked wonders. It was cool and I held the cotton on the area for several minutes to cool it then applied a medicated powder. The moistness of the skin held the powder on place well. It was gone in 3 days.