we rehomed our Labrador when he was 6 months old, all was fine for 1st year but then he started getting a swollen face, sometimes both sides, sometimes just one side. cleared with steroids, vet said an allergy, happened at least 11 times last year and had 2 bouts of it in April. Now the worrying thing is he got a hot spot behind his ear 2 weeks ago got antibiotics for it. it cleared up but hair hasn't really grown back there maybe early days?? Over weekend he got a hot spot the size of my hand very hot, red, sore, back to vet on 2 weeks of steroids and antibiotics now. I m hoping this isn't going to keep happening!!!Just wondering anyone have similar experience and any tips how to prevent it!
Re: Swollen head and hot spots Poor thing I bet he'll feel pretty rotten! Can the vet not do an allergy test similar to humans then you identify and avoid the cause?
Re: Swollen head and hot spots Hello and welcome from me and my dogs . I`m really sorry that I cant help re the hot spots, but I agree, go back to your Vets as this is happening an awful lot in one so young , poor soul and you too
Re: Swollen head and hot spots Hi and welcome I've never had this problem so can't help with practical advice but I would go back to your vets and ask them to do some further tests, they should be able to tell you what his allergy is. Let us know how you get on
Re: Swollen head and hot spots Sorry you're having this problem. If you've got insurance then allergy testing is probably the way to go. My last Lab had recurring skin problems - though on his legs and feet mostly, not face - but as we weren't insured I didn't get him tested (the vet told me it could run into thousands). I tried all sorts of remedies - apple cider vinegar, marigold essence, aloe vera (this last one made him worse!) - but sorry to say nothing really helped. In the end I managed to control it for most of the time by trying to cut out wheat from his diet, though he still did need courses of steroids now and then. However, by trial and error I found he only needed very low doses of steroids and he lived till 14 1/2 years. He had one patch of 'elephant skin' on an elbow where the hair didn't grow back, but it didn't bother him - and I thought he was beautiful however he looked.
Re: Swollen head and hot spots Hi Yvonne, I'm so sorry to hear about the hot spots. I'd definitely go back to the vets for some further advice. Please keep us posted on how things go. Best wishes,
Re: Swollen head and hot spots Hello and welcome to the forum. I agree with the others that your best bet is to take him back to the vet for an allergy test. I had one done recently on one of my dogs. It involved taking a blood sample which was sent off for testing and I got the result after one week. The whole thing cost about £60.
Re: Swollen head and hot spots Well thanks but I forgot to add he is terrified of vet so when we go for vaccinations vet has to come out to waiting room and literally wrestle him to vaccinate him, we cant get to the treatment room!!! When I went home last nite he was worse after scratching it so vet told me increase steroids which I hate doing but did! Last resort will to sedate him prob in waiting room, bring him to treatment room and shave the area but he will look hideous, although already losing his hair and looks terrible, feel so sorry for him. was hoping someone had a natural remedy!! also was told to keep it as dry as possible but have a retriever to who seems to want to lick it constantly! Today I am giving him 2 steroids in am and 2 in evening and his antibiotics and hoping things will improve.
Re: Swollen head and hot spots I think you need to prevent your other dog from licking the wound. That will aggravate the problem with no chance of healing. It sounds serious the way you describe the symptoms and the dog must be quite uncomfortable. I understand that your dog doesn't like the vet but I can't see an alternative. ???
Re: Swollen head and hot spots I have an itchy dog so I sympathise! I too would suggest an allergy test. You might find it interesting to look into some training-based techniques to help your dog to become less afraid at the vets (sounds like your vet might also be able to learn about using training and not force to manage fearful dogs/cats too. Sumo wrestling in the reception area is not the way to do it). Check out this article which explains the concepts behind a training and gentle handling based approach to reducing the fear associated with vet visits http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/compassionate-vet-care-handling-pets-in-a-pet-friendly-manner
Re: Swollen head and hot spots Sorry your poor pooch is suffering with this! Don't have any useful info on allergies, but I can tell you that my dog (re homed with us when he was a year) came to us very reactive to being restrained by people, going to the vet was a nightmare. He (and I) had to suffer through one of those sumo wrestling matches for the vet to examine him post-neuter, ending up with the vet assistant pinning down one end and the vet the other, and Simba basically screaming in fear...honestly it was horrible and I swore that would NEVER happen again (I didn't actually know the extent of the problem before that visit, in my defense, we had only had him a month, but still, I feel bad I subjected him to it). Anyhow....I did clicker training with him to get him used to being handled, and honestly, it worked! The next visit to the vet, about 6 months later, he was happy and chilled as can be. I know you won't have time to get this sorted in the midst of this medical situation, but Don't despair, you might find that eventually you will be able to walk into the vets with no issues!
