Dog - Hot spots! HELP

[pittnurse08]

It's been super hot here lately, so we took our 1 1/2 year old Newfie swimming in a nearby river and now he has a REALLY bad hot spot on his neck/throat area. It's red, moist, and just looks raw and painful although he's OK with the area being touched. I took him to the groomer today and she shaved as much of the hair around it as possible. We also got a gentle leader to replace his current collar so that it won't be rubbing on the wound. Is there something I should put on it to help it heal? Should we take him to the vet and see about getting him some antibiotics? I'm also concerned because we're going camping this weekend and he's due for his Frontline (flea/tick prevention medication)... is it OK to still give it to him or is there a less irritating alternative? We were planning on letting him swim in the lake near the campsite, would that just be asking for more hot spots? or is there a way we can prevent them? Sorry for all the questions, just worried about my poor pup. Thanks for your help!

[Meems]

I always did this recipe for my golden when he got hot spots.

2 aspirin dissolved in 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 cup boiling water and steeped w/ a black teabag.

Apply often w/ a cotton ball over affected area, every 1-2 hrs if possible.

[SophieAnn]

The important thing is keeping it clean and DRY while it heals. Also, to shave down the area, which you've already done - which will help it by getting air circulation to the skin.

Usually hot spots happen underneath matts, when moisture is trapped against the skin. But, it sounds like it was all that swimming that did it and not a matt specifically.

Is the flea prevention a liquid applied to the skin? Maybe you can apply it further down the back to keep it away from the hot spot? Our flea prevention is tablets, which I'm sure would be fine. I don't know much about the topical kind.

You shouldn't need antibiotics unless it gets infected. Watch for any oozing, pus, etc. If you see any, then take him to the vet. I'd be keeping him out of the water, especially lake water which is full of bacteria and organisms that may cause infection (it is basically an open wound). Keep it clean and dry.

Sorry this happened. Poor guy.