Hot Spot-Cleansing Chlorohexaddine and Antibiotics-Advice?
Her skin had to be shaved under her mouth in order to be treated. It is raw skin almost. I feel terrible. I received some spray medicine and cleansing chlorohexaddine which I started but very difficult to apply as it hurts her. I also started her on some antibiotics. She also has e-collar on so she can't scratch it. Anyhow, what is done is done. What I am most concerned about is getting her better and back to herself again. She has been just laying down in her bed. She doesn't want to eat or go to the bathroom. It is only day 1 but it looks so bad. I'm very concerned. Will this go away and how long will it take? Is there anything else that I can do? Any advice or recommendations will be appreciated. |
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| Poor pup.... it's most likely a staph infection.... if your vet did cultures of the bacteria they would know which antibiotic to use. If they didn't do cultures and the antibiotic isn't working then I'd suggest getting that done as certain antibiotics only work for gram positive bacteria and some for gram negative etc.... and some broad spectrum ones just aren't strong enough for staph.... hopefully it's not mrsa.... |
And welcome to the forum!  Your pup is gorgeous |
| These usually clear up pretty quickly. It should be drying up and looking not-raw in a week, then new hair will grow in over several weeks. I had a chocolate lab who was prone to them. My vet used oral antibiotics, shaved the area and we applied topical OTC antibiotic ointment - like neosporin or triple ABX a couple times/day. The location on your Daisy will be challenging - with eating, licking her lips, etc - to keep it dry and keep medicine on it. And welcome as well - she's a cutie  |
| It was a challenge to get her to let me spray the meds on that area but I sprayed a paper towel and then gently wiped her. This seems to be easier. Its day 2 and she is less miserable I think. She is just sleeping a lot. I can't believe it but I look forward to her returning to herself and being rambunctious and being bad. Thanks for the advice and support |
| It's important the area gets air to it. Looking at the 1st picture, I would be concerned that it wouldn't, just because of location and the fact that the cone doesn't breathe. When you are home and directly supervising her, I would take the cone off. The cone itself may have a lot to do with her mopiness - it's not called "the come of shame" for nothing!  Playing, distracting and interacting with her should help a lot - both for her mood and to keep her from scratching at the area. Also, antobiotics are a bit upsetting to lots of stomachs (human and animal), so I wouldn't be that surprised she's off her food and out of sorts while she's on them. |
| If the antibiotic is correct, and he is kept from scratching it, then you should start to see it get better pretty quickly, with the raw area getting smaller and scabs building up. Scabs are a good sign. As someone who has dealt alot with skin issues, I would concur about the cone. It's the reason we don't use one on Oscar. Last time we did, to keep him away from stitches on his eyelid, he developed a hot spot on his chin from his drool, and the inability of the cone to let in air. I purchased a different collar, a soft e-collar. Because it is so far back on the neck, it allows air flow under the chin. Oscar can go out and go potty while wearing it, he can even eat in it, and he isn't bumping into everything. Laurie and Oscar |
got sheep wrote: It's important the area gets air to it. Looking at the 1st picture, I would be concerned that it wouldn't, just because of location and the fact that the cone doesn't breathe. When you are home and directly supervising her, I would take the cone off. The cone itself may have a lot to do with her mopiness - it's not called "the come of shame" for nothing! Playing, distracting and interacting with her should help a lot - both for her mood and to keep her from scratching at the area. Also, antobiotics are a bit upsetting to lots of stomachs (human and animal), so I wouldn't be that surprised she's off her food and out of sorts while she's on them. I agree with the cone thing. But it was what the vet gave me to use and I didn't have time to get one of those better softer ones from the stores. I'll go tonight and get one. But I've been using it and leaving it on her and very loose. Its so loose I can slip it on and off her head. I take it off when she is with me and also when I take her out. I'll try the better ones though but I recall there weren't many choices. I recall using a soft e-collar after her spay surgery and she ended up tearing it apart. I must have done it wrong. Anyhow I agree and will get a new and better one because she'll need one for a while in order to heal properly. Thanks for pointing that out and for your concern. |
Oscar's Mom wrote: If the antibiotic is correct, and he is kept from scratching it, then you should start to see it get better pretty quickly, with the raw area getting smaller and scabs building up. Scabs are a good sign. As someone who has dealt alot with skin issues, I would concur about the cone. It's the reason we don't use one on Oscar. Last time we did, to keep him away from stitches on his eyelid, he developed a hot spot on his chin from his drool, and the inability of the cone to let in air. I purchased a different collar, a soft e-collar. Because it is so far back on the neck, it allows air flow under the chin. Oscar can go out and go potty while wearing it, he can even eat in it, and he isn't bumping into everything. Laurie and Oscar Is that the donut shaped one that you have to inflate? The soft Comfort e-collar that I picked up last night is going to be returned. Miss Daisy is not having it. I put it on and she doesn't stop trying to get it off. It uses velcro and she is able to loosen it. It may be hotter because it has thick padded material and doesn't ventilate well. It was the large size and is snug around neck and thick with no holes or slits for ventilation around the neck. I don't know but she hates it. So the plastic cone will go back on her as she is cool with that one. It is larger and has slits in it and I keep it loose. So I think it does keep her cooler and better ventilated. I make sure she is dry before I put the cone on her which is apparently helping. I've been blow drying, medicating and cleaning that area and today it seems less red and inflamed. Your are correct and she is showing improvements already. I feel slightly better about now. Thanks |
Willowsprite wrote: Poor pup.... it's most likely a staph infection.... if your vet did cultures of the bacteria they would know which antibiotic to use. If they didn't do cultures and the antibiotic isn't working then I'd suggest getting that done as certain antibiotics only work for gram positive bacteria and some for gram negative etc.... and some broad spectrum ones just aren't strong enough for staph.... hopefully it's not mrsa.... Good point will look into that. Thanks for the advice and compliment. |
| Glad to hear that Miss Daisy is doing better. Frequent washing with a gentle shampoo, and then fully drying the area always helps Oscar as well. Sounds like the antibiotic is doing the trick. If it doesn't seem to be improving in a week or two of skin management, then you might want to culture the area to see specifically what bacteria is growing. (We are currently dealing with a MRSA infection with Oscar. He has an autoimmune disorder, which makes him susceptible to all manner of pathogenic bacteria. This is just one in the long line of skin infections.) Oscar's soft e collar is not inflatable. I ordered it online. It looks like a giant, flat donut, and it slips over the head, tying around the neck. It is very slim. The outer cover is made from water-proof vinyl, and the interior is crate foam. Oscar has never tried to remove it, so we generally use it at night, when I can't watch him like a hawk every second, or when we leave him home alone. Laurie and Oscar |
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