How to stop my dog from licking a bleeding hot spot without a cone?

Poor Dink! That does look like quite a nasty hot spot. For a problem this severe, I would strongly recommend taking him to the vet for treatment. Severe hot spots often need oral antibiotics and steroids to treat effectively. In the meantime, if he's constantly chewing at it and making the problem worse, you can place an e-collar (plastic cone) on him to prevent him from being able to reach it. You should be able to pick one up at your local pet store.

The best thing to do for Elmer is to take him to your veterinarian. Here they can shave the hotspot and clean it up. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for a hotspot and sometimes a topical ointment or spray. Until you can bring Elmer to your veterinarian I do recommend an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from licking. Licking a hotspot will make it worse very quickly. I hope Elmer feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thank you for sending the additional information to our customer service email address! Yes, I agree with your suspicion that Kona likely has a hot spot. You can try to manage this area by first clipping the fur from the the affected area, as air flow to the area is important. Antiseptic sprays, like Vetericyn (https://vetericyn.com/product/vetericyn-plus-all-animal-wound-and-skin-care/?attribute_size=3oz), can work wonders when used a few times per day. One of the most important aspects of hot spot treatment is to prevent Kona from licking at this area. It may involve some tough love, but keep an e-collar (cone) on her until this area has fully resolved. Most hot spots show pretty significant improvement within a week or so. However, if it isn't improving in a week or gets worse at any point, Kona will need to visit her vet. While most hot spots can be treated with topical treatments, like the Vetericyn spray, some require courses of antibiotics and steroids. I hope this helps and that she's on the mend soon!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It could be the start of a hot spot. The mainstay of treatment is to shave the fur away to allow better air flow to help it dry out. Also Hatty would need to stop chewing and licking the area. That requires the use of an Elizabethan collar (cone) or donut. Also we usually prescribe a course of steroids and antibiotics. Since it is getting worse and hot spots are of the the true skin "emergencies" (because they spread quickly and are uncomfortable) I recommend having her seen today before the weekend. I hope this helps and I wish Hatty a speedy recovery!

I am sorry to hear about Sandy. She may need a larger e-collar, or you can try spraying bitter-apple spray around the area (but not on the wound itself. If it is truly a hotspot, we don't usually bandage these as they usually need open air to dry out. In some cases, we may need to prescribe oral medications such as antibiotics and steroids to clear the hot spot up. You can read more about them at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952981 . If your vet feels the area needs to be bandaged then they may show you how to apply a bandage safely that will not slip, but usually a true hot spot is not bandaged.

Hi. Poor Lilly. Sounds like you have done the best you can. Lilly may need oral antibiotics at this point to get it to heal. Until m9nday, you could try putting a triple antibiotic ointment on the area until you get it examined.

Keeping the cone on Simba for now until you can get him to the vet is a good idea. He will likely need antibiotics to help the hotspot clear up. Also, depending on how severe the infection is, the area may need to be clipped and clean with the antiseptic solution. Sometimes the swelling and inflammation is so severe that dog will also need a steroid injection or a course of steroids to take at home to help it heal more quickly. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.