My dog has a hot spot. Should I give her cephalexin or see a vet?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Based on the picture, it does appear that this could be a hot spot. I typically recommend using products that soothe and treat infection. What I would recommend would be Well & Good Hydrocortisone spray (at Petco) and Miconahex + Triz spray and apply both of these twice daily until resolved. If there is no improvement within 7 days, I would recommend taking your dog in to be seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps!

I am so sorry that JD is having this problem. Hot spots can typically arise very quickly and can enlarge very quickly as well. The following article has more information on hot spots. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952729 Hot spots are initially treated by clipping the fur around the area and cleaning with an antibacterial solution. Depending on the severity of the infection, your veterinarian may elect for you to treat it topically (with antibacterial wipes or spray) or may send home oral antibiotics. Hot spots can be very painful, so sometimes pain medication will also be sent home. Prednisone can be helpful in decreasing the inflammation, but antibiotics will be needed to resolve the hot spot. The dose and frequency that we use for Prednisone really depends on the hot spot, so your vet would need to give you a recommendation for that. For severe hot spots, we will sometimes starting twice daily, but generally do a tapering dose over a period of 10-14 days. Prednisone cannot be stopped suddenly, so we slowly decrease the dose. One of the most important things in getting hot spots to resolve is making sure they stay dry. If JD’s hot spot is in a location that he can reach, you may need to use an e-collar to prevent licking until the area has healed. Finally, you should discuss possible causes of his hot spot with your vet, so you can try to prevent them again in the future. Fish oils can help, but are often not enough for a dog with severe problems. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Unfortunately hot spots require prescription medication to treat. Usually a topical steroid is needed, but the underlying cause of the hot spot has to be diagnosed as well. Hot spots can be caused by things like allergies, so it the underlying cause isn't treated, they can come back. Please have Collette seen by a vet to have them treated.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. The photos you have provided are a bit blurry but I can tell that the skin is thickened and irritated. From your description, it sounds as though Cleo is battling a skin infection that could be secondary to a chronic allergy. Prednisone will help with the symptoms of the allergy but unfortunately long term use will lead to abnormal clinical signs from the steroids. I would recommend treating Cleo with oral antibiotics, antifungals alongside topical therapy. She may also be dealing with a condition known as Atopic Dermatitis, in which case will need specific treatment such as Atopica or Cytopoint. I would recommend using the below recommended products and discussing additional oral treatments with your vet other than steroids. I would also recommend having her skin scraped to check for skin mites. I hope this helps and that Cleo's skin improves! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. 1. Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved 2. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the affected areas twice daily until resolved 3. Welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules 4. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent ***All of the above products can be found online quite easily*** These treatments above should not be to supplement veterinary care, they should be in addition to.

I like to trim the hair around the hot spot to open up the skin to the air. Then wash it with antibacterial soap to remove the discharge. After drying it then apply thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. You can also apply some cortisone cream on it to reduce the itch. It's best to use a restraint collar to prevent licking and scratching so it will heal. Make sure there are no fleas or ear infection as these can cause itching resulting in hot spots. If they are severe and you are unable to get them to heal then I would bring Princess to your veterinarian for treatment. They may give an injection to prevent scratching and an oral antibiotic to heal the skin infection. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Princess.

Poor Gabrielle! I recommend giving the cephalexin with food to help minimize the risk of vomiting. I also recommend you let your vet know that Gabrielle vomited, as they may recommend adding a probiotic to her food to help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset. They may also recommend a different diet while she's on the cephalexin, or changing the medication if the vomiting continues. I hope she feels better soon!

If the hot spot is small you can try putting some triple antibiotic ointment on it. You will want to try and prevent your dog from licking the area as much as possible, like with an E-collar, to allow it to heal. If the area is very large and inflamed your dog may benefit from oral antibiotics to help it heal more quickly. If treatment at home doesn’t work then you will probably need to have her examined by a vet. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.