Pyoderma "Hot Spots"

What are "Hot Spots" and what causes them? Technically this skin problem is called a deep pyoderma or infection of the skin. It can have several causes such as skin trauma from scratching, allergies to seasonal pollens, food allergy, flea allergy, insect stings etc...

Treatment includes treating the underlying disease, skin inflammation and the infection with antibiotics.

These are painful infections. The wounds must be clipped to remove hair that will stick to the wound. Cleansing to remove debris, air to help the wound to "breathe". Preventing them from licking and chewing at the wound is very important so E-Collars may be required to block them from getting to the wound.

It can take up to 3-4 weeks of treatment to heal them and they are susceptible to developing new ones in different areas if the underlying problem is not treated.

Rock Foreign Body

Dogs that eat Rocks...if they are large enough they don't pass through. Surgery must be performed to remove them.

GDV ("Twisted Stomach") Surgery

The dreaded twisted stomach surgery in large and giant breed dogs is a life threatening surgery. "Bowser" presented to us for constant vomiting and abdominal pain. His twisted stomach also caused a heart arrhythmia called Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC's) that were treated with i.v. medications. He has a stomach tack procedure where the stomach is sutured permenantly near the right rib cage. This is to hopefull prevent any future stomach roatation should he bloat again. "Bowser" was fortunate and recovered without any complications. This is not always the case.