JayemCO Loc: Colorado @ 9000 feet

Jerry, I practiced Veterinary Medicine in northern Montana for many years, eons ago. I saw a lot of hot spots and never found a medication that worked most of the time. I found a lot that worked some of the time. What I did find was that clipping the long hair around the hot spot usually helped. (Make sure you clip the hair and not the skin, clipping the skin doesn't help the lesion!) I think the long hair falls into the sore and causes an irritation or tickling which keeps the dog licking it.
The other thing that seemed to help was drying out the area. Clipping the hair helps this but I often used rubbing alcohol to keep it dry. (This sometimes burns and can cause the dog to give you a similar pain in the offending hand! Especially breeds like Dachshunds!) The alcohol probably also decreases the number of bacteria on the hot spot.
I would clip the hair, clean with hydrogen peroxide (may burn also), dry gently with a sponge, wipe gently or dab with rubbing alcohol, and dispense whatever medication seemed to be working at that time. After struggling with these for several years, I started recommending the owner wipe gently with rubbing alcohol and avoid oily or greasy medications (I think these keep the area moist).
Good Luck and remember they may return in the future, so keep an eye out for the return appearance and treat quickly and aggresively when they first show up.

larry wright Loc: SW OHIO

A friend told me they had the same problem with their dog and they said cottage cheese worked for their dog, You may want to try it for the dog to eat.
Larry

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

When I was a kid our beagle had that, poor dog, usually in the summer, tried everything, less fat in food, more fat in food flea powders, never found a real cure, starting to think it might be caused by a food allergy, like 'skooting ' on the rugs, none of my daughters dogs have it and she feeds primarily a raw diet, so far that's a puggle and three rescues, Bob.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Benedryl has to be taken internally. As you know you will have to open the dog's mouth shove it down a far as you can close his muzzle and stroke his throat until he swallows. If you choose to use it, why not, be aware of weight vs dosage. It's an antihistamine it is not harmful. Give it a shot. What have you got to lose?

Cattreasure

A couple of years ago, my dog was doing the same thing. I came across something that said chicken is a common allergen for dogs. I quit giving her food with chicken and the itching and chewing stopped. Just in case of coincidence, I gave her chicken again. She was itching within a few minutes. It's a lot of work but it is worth reading the labels on everything she gets to make sure there are no chicken products in her food or treats. You might want to eliminate chicken for a while to see if that helps.

Rose42

You have to be careful where you get your chicken. Some have a lot of additives. If you switch suppliers and get organic you'll likely have better luck.

Genetics and age are also components. Older dog's bodies break down like ours. Poor genetics also leads to numerous issues and these days dogs are weaker than ever.

al13

Family member vet gave me this advice 7 years ago as my 6 month old dog had the same problem. Purina Sensitivitie System dog food. She heard this at a yearly veterinarian conference and passed it on to me. The brand name was specific. It worked and is still working 7 years later. She also said Benadryl could also be used but I haven’t had to use it. I was surprised as it’s carried in grocery stores and not one of the high cost vet sold foods. Also, I am not involved with that company in any way.

pappyjbf

We have the same thing and got our dog a shot from the vet called cytopoint for $46.00. Should last 6 to 8 wks. so we will see. Good luck Look it up on internet.

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

I'm curious, Jerry. Do you ask your vet for photography advice?

scatman Loc: Waterbury, CT

Warm compresses with diluted chlorhexadene twice a day for 10 days, oral cephalexin twice a day for 14 days. Has worked wonderfully.

daplight Loc: Kansas

(Benedryl) I concur with this remedy. I wastold to cut the tabley in half and give with food.

roaddogie

After a while my dog started to like the taste of it LOL.

kdogg Loc: Gallipolis Ferry WV

My Mom had a cockapoo years ago with the same problem. The vet suggested adding fish oil capsules to the dogs diet which worked very well.
I once had a Lab that had major surgery on his leg, the vet gave me Garricks bitter apple to stop him from tearing of the bandages. It didn't work and he really seemed to like the taste, after about a week of changing bandages the vet told me to put Vic's Vaper Rub on the bandages, no more chewing and a lot less expensive.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Jerry, did you get your well pump issues fixed?

Evie Loc: Sacramento

If you try Benadryl it’s 1mg/lb every 8 hours (doesn’t work all the time)
If I were you I would inquire about Apoquel and cytopoint. Antibiotics are needed if it’s really infected