TOTW Question and what is the wackiest thing you've been told to use on a hot spot?

[Germanshepherdlova]

I was feeding my dog 4Health Lamb and Rice but his hot spots grew worse. Much worse than when he was on Purina One Lamb and Rice. So, I decided to dig deeper in my pocket and put him on a grain-free kibble. TOTW came to mind, because I hear so much about it here on this forum. And I am desperately looking to alleviate him of hot spots. Nothing is working so far!

I bought a small bag of TOTW Salmon and I am going to start mixing it in with his food starting with dinner today and gradually switching him over. My question is-should I stop putting Healthy Coat (which is rich in Omega 3) into his food-since the TOTW has fish in it?

A worker stocking the shelfs at Tractor Supply where I bought the dog food advised me to buy some horse conditioner spray and spray it all over my dog and she said that would stop the hot spots. A friend told me to put burnt motor oil and that would cure it. Finally, a family member of my husbands who lives in PR told us that they treat their dogs hot spots with kerosene! It seems that so many people have told me so many different things-I have not tried the things I listed but my dog has walked around with that pink stuff used to cure the chicken pox all over his spots (thanks to an adviser) it didn't work-hydrocortizone (helps), he takes Benadryl, Healthy coat, I have given him Omega 3, vitamin E, anti-itch spray from the vets, and now today I was told horse conditioner! What is the weirdest thing you have been told to us-and if it worked-please let me know! Getting very, very desperate here.

[DJEtzel]

Originally Posted by Germanshepherdlova

I was feeding my dog 4Health Lamb and Rice but his hot spots grew worse. Much worse than when he was on Purina One Lamb and Rice. So, I decided to dig deeper in my pocket and put him on a grain-free kibble. TOTW came to mind, because I hear so much about it here on this forum. And I am desperately looking to alleviate him of hot spots. Nothing is working so far!

I bought a small bag of TOTW Salmon and I am going to start mixing it in with his food starting with dinner today and gradually switching him over. My question is-should I stop putting Healthy Coat (which is rich in Omega 3) into his food-since the TOTW has fish in it?

A worker stocking the shelfs at Tractor Supply where I bought the dog food advised me to buy some horse conditioner spray and spray it all over my dog and she said that would stop the hot spots. A friend told me to put burnt motor oil and that would cure it. Finally, a family member of my husbands who lives in PR told us that they treat their dogs hot spots with kerosene! It seems that so many people have told me so many different things-I have not tried the things I listed but my dog has walked around with that pink stuff used to cure the chicken pox all over his spots (thanks to an adviser) it didn't work-hydrocortizone (helps), he takes Benadryl, Healthy coat, I have given him Omega 3, vitamin E, anti-itch spray from the vets, and now today I was told horse conditioner! What is the weirdest thing you have been told to us-and if it worked-please let me know! Getting very, very desperate here.

We love TOTW Pacific Stream for Frag, who has really bad allergies. We started feeding fosters and our little dog Diamond Naturals and tried a formula with no chicken as he's allergic to chicken for sure, but halfway through the bag he started getting hot spots and chewing himself raw. So we're back to TOTW and it's pretty much the only food that helps his skin. We also feed fish oil every day, the amount in the fish formula is not enough for a dog his size.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by DJEtzel

We love TOTW Pacific Stream for Frag, who has really bad allergies. We started feeding fosters and our little dog Diamond Naturals and tried a formula with no chicken as he's allergic to chicken for sure, but halfway through the bag he started getting hot spots and chewing himself raw. So we're back to TOTW and it's pretty much the only food that helps his skin. We also feed fish oil every day, the amount in the fish formula is not enough for a dog his size.

That is what my dog does-chews and chews himself. Scratches so hard he hurts himself and then starts licking and licking. He has a patch of fur missing on his chest, and a huge hot spot underneath his front leg (armpit) and extending several inches onto his underbelly.I thought the 4Health would work since it doesn't have corn or wheat in it (he gets the runs from corn) but no such luck. I am glad that I picked the Salmon TOTW, I almost picked the Venison and then decided against it the last second. The cashier told me other people have told her that TOTW Salmon was the answer to their dogs skin problem. I am keeping my fingers crossed that is works for Brutus.

[4TheDawgies]

wackiest thing is gold bond medicated foot powder. and it WORKS!!

[onyx'girl]

ACV also helps soothe the itchy skin. Are you sure it is the food? So many causes for itchy irritated skin. I just found out fleas have caused my dogs itchies. Only have seen one, but that was enough to solve the puzzle.

[Lucy Dog]

I'd say first try the TOTW as is. See how that works for a couple months and if his coat suffers from it, then start with the supplements. For now, I'd cut all the supplements and remedies and see how this new formula works.

The hot spots might be caused by a food allergy. It could be a certain grain or protein. Hopefully this new formula with a different protein and no grains will help.

The kerosene on hot spots is an old wives tale. I've heard of it before, but would never do it.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

ACV also helps soothe the itchy skin. Are you sure it is the food? So many causes for itchy irritated skin. I just found out fleas have caused my dogs itchies. Only have seen one, but that was enough to solve the puzzle.

He had trouble with fleas a few months ago but the hot spots were already a problem. Fleas are all gone-hot spots are there like always. I do think it might be the Frontline though that he could be allergic to. I am using it through this winter, but usually do not and the winters that I don't use it his skin clears up so thanks for bringing the flea topic up because I hadn't thought of his flea preventative as the source.

Originally Posted by 4TheDawgies

wackiest thing is gold bond medicated foot powder. and it WORKS!!

Does it clear up the hot spot?

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

I'd say first try the TOTW as is. See how that works for a couple months and if his coat suffers from it, then start with the supplements. For now, I'd cut all the supplements and remedies and see how this new formula works.

The hot spots might be caused by a food allergy. It could be a certain grain or protein. Hopefully this new formula with a different protein and no grains will help.

The kerosene on hot spots is an old wives tale. I've heard of it before, but would never do it.

Good advice, I will try it alone first.

[Dooney's Mom]

i love TOTW, mine is on the Prairie formula. As far as the hot spots, Tractor Supply sells MTG it is to help horses regrow hair and solve skin problems. I have seen it clear up a horse FAST, I have not ever put it on a dog because it is greasy and smells like the used motor oil- LOL. Good luck with the hot spots!

Oh and I have heard someone say to put equal parts of listerine and water on hot spots--- now that is weird

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by Dooney's Mom

i love TOTW, mine is on the Prairie formula. As far as the hot spots, Tractor Supply sells MTG it is to help horses regrow hair and solve skin problems. I have seen it clear up a horse FAST, I have not ever put it on a dog because it is greasy and smells like the used motor oil- LOL. Good luck with the hot spots!

Oh and I have heard someone say to put equal parts of listerine and water on hot spots--- now that is weird

I wonder why the employee didn't mention the MTG to me? Horse conditioner is what she told me! lol And then I actually had it in my hand and was going to purchase it until I questioned the cashier-she called another employee over and they laughed and said that if I needed to remove tangles from my dogs fur then that was exactly what I needed-not for skin conditions. I told them-well that is what one of your employees recommended and walked me over to it and handed it to me-the cashier was looking at me like I was a moron. I am going to look into that MTG maybe the used motor oil theory works after all.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Another TOTW question for those who are using it-are your dogs poops firm? Just asking because Brutus gets the runs easily but has done well on the 4Health as far as poops are concerned. I am transitioning him slowly to make it a gentle switch over for him. Going to give him 1 and a half cups 4Health and one cup TOTW for dinner. Hope that isn't introducing it too quickly.