Treating hotspots while dog is pregnant? - Page 1

Let me just note that I have taken this dog to the vet already & she is currently being treated.
I've never had to deal with hotspots before, let alone on a preg. dog. I am wondering if there are any topical treatments I can use to help with the weeping & itching? They, of course, need to be safe for both the dog & unborn pups. Poor dog is going batty.
My vet said I could dab witch hazel on the area & to apply cold packs to help with the itching. I have started that, but not seeing any difference just yet(only been 24 hrs). Just looking for others opinions that have dealt with this. Thanks!!

tea tree oil        will not hurt       clean w peroxide      dry    spray   tea tree  oil  or

Farnum's Wound Care      buy at FEEDSTORES

I'd shave the hair around the affected area, wash with good ole soap and warm water, keep the area dry.  never used tea tree oil, but it should work.

1 part ACV 4 parts water and a tiny squirt of lemon juice.  Also good for ears....

I use calamine lotion, you can use as often as needed,stops the heat and moisture. ,just apply with cotton ball and let dry.Its cheap and wont hurt her or the pups you can get it any were.

According to National Animal Poison Control Center, the use of tea tree oil in dogs has been associated with hypothermia, muscle weakness, ataxia, tremors, altered behavior, paralysis. ... [edit] Safety According to the American Cancer Society: "Tea tree oil is toxic when swallowed. It has been reported to cause drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, coma, unsteadiness, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, blood cell abnormalities, and severe rashes. It should be kept away from pets and children." [16] A small number of people experience allergic contact dermatitis as a reaction to dermal contact with tea tree oil. In an Italian study of 725 consecutive patients, patients were patch tested with undiluted, 1% and 0.1% Tea Tree Oil. For undiluted tea tree oil, nearly 6% of the patients observed positive reactions of skin irritation. Only 1 of 725 patients observed a positive reaction of skin irritation with the 1% dilution. None of the 725 patients observed adverse reactions with the 0.1% dilution.[17] Allergic reactions may be due to the various oxidation products that are formed by exposure of the oil to light and/or air.[18][19] External application of undiluted tea tree oil and/or at inappropriate high doses has been associated with toxicity, including death, in cats and other animals.[20][21][22] A disputed case study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine concluded that "repeated topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oils probably caused prepubertal gynecomastia" (abnormal breast development) in three young boys.[23] The study involved just three individuals and found lavender to be the only common ingredient used by the boys in the study. While all three cases involved the use of products containing lavender oil as an ingredient, only one boy also used products containing tea tree oil. In all cases, the prepubertal gynecomastia reversed after several months. Use of the products containing lavender and tea tree oils were also discontinued during this time. In the same paper, results from cell culture assays indicated that both essential oils exhibit weak estrogenic and antiandrogenic properties in vitro, (i.e. in a test tube, an artificial environment outside the living human organism) but no tests were conducted in vivo. Researchers also indicated that other components in these products may also have contributed to the gynecomastia, or that genetics might play a role. Researchers also noted that estrogenic or antiandrogenic activities have also been reported for some other commonly used essential oils as well as some foods such as almonds and peanuts, but cited no associated cases of prepubertal gynecomastia.[24] Others have cast doubt on the conclusions of the article and dismissed the study as having used "poor methodology".[25][26][27][28][29] If used in concentrations below 4% or particularly below 1%, tea tree oil may fail to kill bacteria and create an evolutionary pressure which may result in them becoming less sensitive to tea tree oil and even some antibiotics in vitro.[30] Tea tree oil may cause hearing loss when used in the ears.[31] [edit] 
      Referenced from Wikipedia   The article also stated that it has efficacy against many organisms at 10% concentration,
 just so you know.....jh

Shave the area around the soar and use extra strength medicated gold bond, won,t hurt the puppies and will keep her from licking and chewing and will help dry the area up, atleast it worked for me when dealing with simmaler problem.

Thanks! I picked up some tea tree oil (premixed)from the local health store. I have not used it yet & after talking to my vet, I won't be using it on the dog.  I'll save it for my own scratches :)  I did get some gold bond powder & am using that. The area does seem to be drying up rather quickly. Also doesn't seem to be quite so itchy/irritating to the dog.