here are a couple of recent threads on hotspots that may be of help:
http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=744082&page=1#Post744082
http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=745244&page=2#Post745244
http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=744082&page=1#Post744082
http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=745244&page=2#Post745244