Need advise - Hot Spots?

[mrrp36a]

Ruby has recently been licking her paws a lot and one is actually has a raw looking rash on it, another she won't even let me get a good look at. I live in the midwest and the weather has been so hot lately that Ruby spends most of her days inside. Do these sound like hot spots? Does anyone know of a home remedy, or should I take her to the Vet?

[shela2525]

big dark spots on knees, i try so many things already . this never use to be there untill one ago . i need to get advise , but products that are cheap and free only.

[lindamarie]

My poor Springer Spaniel use to lick his paws raw all year, unless there was a little snow on the ground.
He had allergies. We found nothing worked but Benadryl.......and then, all we had was a knocked out dog!
May I suggest allergy tests, yes expensive, and we never did them for this poor little guy.
It's all the grasses, molds etc. It can be a real pain.

[jesstat]

My lab growing up was the same way. My parents ended up getting him tested and he was allergic to everything on the panel. It ended up being a change in food that helped the most. If it ends up being a chronic problem, the allergy test might be the best option. In the meantime, there is a topical solution we got from our vet. I forget the name of it now, but it helped heal the raw skin while at the same time deterring the licking. Kind of like a healing "bitter apple" spray.

[Riverkatie]

I read on another forum that a grain free diet can help with this, or even a raw diet. There is a lot of information about this on the poodle forum, but be warned, whilst it is a helpful forum they hate labradoodles and tend to put all problems down to the fact the dog is a labradoodle, even though pure bred poodles often have the same problem!

The forum is here,

Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

and there is a diet section with loads of info. Maybe you could just read and not join? i joined and have found the forum a fount of info, but VERY intolerant of labradoodles and their owners.

[Nikkiey]

We recently changed Juneau's food (yet again) to one that only has one protein base. He has always been on the Acana grain free selection, but origionally started out on Grassland (Beef, fish and Bison I think). He then moved to Ranchland when it came out because my husband thought it sounded more appetizing. However after a month or so on Ranchland, Juneau's paws started to go really red and he would scratch non-stop around his jowls which would start to bleed. We asked our vet and she suggested changing his food so that he only has one protein source. In our case we changed to Acana Pacifia (Salmon, trout and flounder) because dogs are usually not allergic to fish.

Anyways, we're nearing the end of, what we hope to be, the final switch over and his jowls are no longer bleeding or even itchy (they have healed up quite nicely) and he doesn't seem to be chewing at his feet anymore. Mind you, his feet are still a little red, but the fur may just be stained. It's a wait and see game for us now....

Hopefully you'll be able to find something that works for your Ruby soon! I know most people (me included) are suggesting allergies and food, but is it possible she may have stepped in some fertilizer or something similar that has caused an irritation? Maybe start small by giving her a bath with some cool soothing water and then work your way up to changing food and allergy tests???? Just make sure to keep her paws clean, adding an infection to her already irritated paws will just worsen the problem.

[lindamarie]

i joined and have found the forum a fount of info, but VERY intolerant of labradoodles and their owners.

The emoticons express my feelings about people like this. I mean, WHY?
First of all, a dog is a dog, is a dog. If you love dogs, why be intolerant of doodles and their owners? SHEEESH!
Really! It just ticks me off! I'm lucky that I haven't found this too much in REAL life.
Sometimes when I feel someone is giving Bogart the bad eye....or me.....I just say...."YEAH. He's a mutt, okay? Just like all breeds were at some point. But he's really the greatest MUTT in the world!"
If people don't know a doodle, they are really missing out on a great miracle on this earth.

[Riverkatie]

They feel threatened by our wonderful dogs! Doodles will take over the world and then were will they be?




Actually to be fair, we would not have these wonderful doodles without the hard work over the years of the labrador and poodle people, so I shall say thank you to them.

[jodysh]

I don't know how anyone could NOT like a doodle? So sad for them!! I love goggies of all kinds. But anyway.

I found out about a company called Foxy Treats. They make a skin and coat supplement that seems like it might help My sister got some for her wiener dog's hot spots. Haven't heard how it's working for him yet. I just got some for Malcolm and intend to use it as a food additive (you put 1/4 teaspoon for each 10lb the dog weighs on his/her food).

[mrrp36a]

Thanks for all of the advise. My wife is an RN and after doing research gave Ruby 2 injections of a steroid along with allergy tablets (Wal-finate from Walgreens). Ruby is now doing much better. I am still going to change her dog food. The last bag I bought was new to Ruby - Purina Beneful - which says it has wholesome grains and beef. My daughter feeds Feebie, her labradoodle this and Ruby always makes a mad dash for Feebies bowl when visiting. I was feeding Ruby the premium Costco Kirkland brand and will probably go back to that.

[browndog]

Our dog was insanely itchy for a long time and we had to keep switching foods till we found one that worked. Once we found it, she didn't itch at all anymore. Give it a try. Natural Balance - limited ingredient - sweet potato and venison. It is made specifically for dogs with allergies. Made by company called "Dick Van Patten" I believe.