PYOTRAUMATIC DERMATITIS (Hotspots, Pyodermas) Hotspots are discrete areas of inflamed skin produced by self trauma due to an inciting cause. They can also arise as a result of an injury such as a bite or scratch and are most common in the dog. Clinical Symptoms: • Circular / oval lesions • Moist / oozing — bright red; when infected turn greenish with foul odour • Alopoecia (hair loss) • Erythema • Intense pruritus — licking, biting, scratching • Rest of coat normal

Image: Calendula One of the Herbal Treatment Suggestions for Hotspots   Diagnosis: • Acute onset • Clinical appearance • Skin scraping to rule out mange • Fungal culture to rule out ringworm

Inciting Causes: • FAD • Anal gland problems • Contact irritants; shampoos, grasses • Intestinal worm allergy • Atopy • Matted hair • Otitis extema • Food allergy • Arthritis • Foreign bodies • INAPPROPRIATE FOOD

External Treatment
Apply a topical gel using the following:

Base: Colloidal Silver gel, the Sesame and the Beeswax extract of the Mebo range of formulas. This base will still allow the skin to breathe, whereas the use of ointments will clog the pores.

• If the area is very wet with exudate a small quantity of vetadine could be added to the Base.
• Into the base add Calendula, Comfrey, Plantain, Golden Seal (if infected).
• Do not use Cleavers as this will only encourage moisture at the surface of the wound.
• Apply to the area with a spatula, three times daily.

It is recommended to carry out the treatment just prior to feeding, even if you have to change the routine a little. This takes the dog’s mind off the treatment process and allows the area to dry a little.

It is essential that the drying process is not carried to the extreme and too quickly, with the skin developing cracks. It is best to err on the side of a little moisture still apparent, providing the tissue granulates in a healthy manner.

If the area appears to be drying a little too much, add a small amount of slippery elm powder to the prep with a little extra Mebo to make a thin paste.

Internal Treatment:
The dog must be taken off any commerical dried / canned / moist food including dog roll. Sugar and salt-containing foods must be avoided at all costs.

Diet: 30% raw meat or offal (but NO muscle meat of beef); 70% vegetables (these may be slightly steamed).

Omega 3, 6 and 9: Blend with Borage — 2 capules daily until hotspot resolves.

De-Tox: If the animal has had chemical flea treament, chemical worm control or chemical shampoos then a cleanse is appropriate. This is another topic in itself and as each dog is an individual it is best left to your natural animal health professional.

If the animal is stressed in any way, the use of the appropriate Flower Essences should be commenced immediately for a period of at least two weeks.

Assess any possible causative or contributory factors and formulate a treatment plan as appropriate.

Herbal Treatment Suggestions:
Calendula, Plantain, Comfrey, Violet, Heartsease, Figwort, Red Clover, Echinacaea, Golden Seal, Hypericum, Witch Hazel, Aloe, (sparingly on these last two as they can be drying).

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES FOR HOTSPOTS

Apis mellifica
The Apis hotspot will usually be swollen, red to white, and quite sensitive to touch, like a bee sting.

Belladonna
Belladonna conditions tend to occur suddenly and violently, so think of this remedy if an intense hotspot arises 'overnight' (most hotspots do arise quickly, though the itching may have been present longer and given a hint of trouble). The sore will be bright red, even the glistening — heat will be quite obvious, and even the pulse may be accelerated. The dog will likely be irritable and restless, maybe even violent, with dilated pupils — though only in the most severe cases These dogs are generally very hot and cannot tolerate external heat, and they are usually thirsty, differentiating this remedy from the thirtless Apis state, though some patients needing Belladonna are thirstless as well.

Graphites
These hotspots characteristically ooze a sticky, yellowish, or honey-coloured substance. They are often located in bends of limbs or in skin folds There may be cracks along the margins of the sore. Though usually chilly animals, warmth worsens the itching and the eruption. Obesity is common.

Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum
The Hepar sulph hotspots are very similar to those needing Graphites, moist eruptions in skin folds, with discharge. The discharge here tends to be foul, though-the odour precedes the dog into the room. The sores are intensely painful, so the patient is fearful and very aggressive if anyone tries to touch the sore. These dogs are also chilly, and warmth soothes the condition.

Mercurius (Vivus or SoIubilis)
When this remedy is needed, the hotspot will often be ulcerated, with a moist discharge that easily becomes infected and turns greenish, or it may develop a yellow crust. Pimples may occur in the area of the sore, and the lymph nodes 'glands' in the region may enlarge These dogs may be irritable, especially upon examination they distrust others, believing them to be enemies. Diarrhoea or salvation may accompany the skin ailment. In any Mercurius state, Mercurius corrosivus may be needed if the patient is a male.

Nitric Acid
These hotspots will usually become very ulcerated, looking like raw flesh. They bleed easily, and they are intensely painful — very similar to the Hepar sores The pains are described by people as splinter like. lrritability is common here as with many of the other hot spot remedies — the painful sores drive the dog to violence. Cold aggravates and warm applications alleviate the Nitric acid hotspots.

Rhus Toxicodendron
Here the hotspot tends more toward itchiness rather than pain and may have a bumpy appearance. The skin is often thickened and stiff — even dry and scaly, sometimes infected. Hot water lessens and cold water worsens the itching. Motion also relieves the itch, so these dogs may move about a lot. Stiff joints that loosen up with walking may accompany the hot spot.

Other Remedies to Consider:
• Pyrogen Chrysarobin Antum Crud Pix Liquida
• Myristica seb.

Kindly supplied by St Francis College of Natural Animal Therapies — www.stfranciscollege.co.nz