I have a 4 year old black lab, he has been chewing his back end for 3 days, and his fur is gone in that spot. A friend told me that he has a hot spot. What does that mean, and is there a home remedy for him?

Could be anything. Has his food changed? If so, he might be allergic to something in it. Does he have a history of anal gland blockages? Could he have a tick or flea bite? Is he just bored? If it looks infected a call to your vet might be in order.

Not much help I know. We have been dealing with a paw-chewing Springer for weeks. Trying everything either we or the vet can think of!

Good Luck!
Sarah Fish
Saratoga Springs NY

One of my girls had a raw spot right above her tail. She wouldn't leave it alone and everyone told me it was a hot spot. After the medicine specifically for hot spots wasn't working and she kept chewing (about 3 days of this) I couldn't handle it anymore and took her to the vet. They said she had been bit by a flea while outside and she is allergic. I guess the medicine we put on her every month isn't going to stop a flea from jumping out of the grass and biting her! Well, good luck deciphering what yours is!! I know how frustrating it can be!

Nope, his food hasn't changed, he's had a flea dip, and he just won't leaave that area alone, especially at night, he will lay in front of the woodstove, and just go to town. If we tell him to stop, he will get up and go to another room. Someone at work had said to put vegetable oil on the spot, but I think he would just try to eat it off. We will keep trying.

You can try an elizabethan collar. It is helping Duchess somewhat. She can't chew on the paw, so it gets a chance to heal. Tea tree oil is supposed to help as well. We are trying that, but its only been a couple of days so I can't really tell yet how its working.

Sarah Fish
Saratoga Springs, NY

Hello,
Well our dog, Dash is an old blue heeler and she does it quite a lot. She does this because when she sits down, she gets a lot of dust on that spot. Then because she can't reach it with her foot, she uses her teeth and her hair falls out. She also rubs up against everything which probably doesn't help. Does your black lab do anything of this sort?
Tiana