Hot/itchy spots on dog

[Martha StanleyStudent]

So, my Boston, age 13, got a hot spot on her shoulder a couple of months ago. Treated with antibiotics and antihistamine. Worked fine.

Last month, she presented with an itchy cheek that she scratched till it got raw and bled some. I cleaned it with peroxide and then sprayed an infusion (decoction?) on her several times a day. Echinacea root, calendula, plantain, and some ginger tincture. It made a difference and she was fine in a few days.

Now it seems to have returned. And I’m wondering if she has a recurring hot spot, not just an itchy spot, that is/isn’t treatable with herbal antibiotics. I think it was making her crazy cuz she woofed gently and barked a lot last night, which she has never done.

And since she seems to want to go outside a lot to unrinate, I’m wondering if she is becoming diabetic. She recently had to have an eye removed cuz it kinda blew up due to glaucoma.

I share this for thoroughness in case there’s a connection among all these things.

Anyway, I want to do the spray thing again. I have available echinacea root; calendula, peppermint and comfrey infused oils; ginger tincture; and dried calendula and chamomile flowers; dried comfrey, plantain, mullein and several types of mint leaves. I have some fresh ginger root, comfrey, plantain, dandelion and chickweed available too. And the cloves, cinnamon, turmeric types of things in the spice cabinet.

It’s a small apothecary but I’m real new to this.

I was thinking of the echinacea root with the ginger kick, and chamomile and calendula infusion for the spray this time. Should I add comfrey oil? or fresh comfrey?

How to handle the itching?

Or just put neosporin on it and keep it clean?

Help?

I am a real newbie, trying to think logically through all this.

It’s interesting how I know now quite a bit cognitively about these herbs but when it comes time for a clinical situation, I am kinda bewildered by the possibilities. Fascinating, a little scary and like a HUGE creativity puzzle with lots of bits and pieces to put together.

Thanks for any help.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Mine in Bold

Marthabees wrote: So, my Boston, age 13, got a hot spot on her shoulder a couple of months ago. Treated with antibiotics and antihistamine. Worked fine.

Last month, she presented with an itchy cheek that she scratched till it got raw and bled some. I cleaned it with peroxide and then sprayed an infusion (decoction?) on her several times a day. Echinacea root, calendula, plantain, and some ginger tincture. It made a difference and she was fine in a few days.

Good work! :0)

Now it seems to have returned. And I’m wondering if she has a recurring hot spot, not just an itchy spot, that is/isn’t treatable with herbal antibiotics. I think it was making her crazy cuz she woofed gently and barked a lot last night, which she has never done.

Could be there are some underlying allergy issues. That’s often the case.

And since she seems to want to go outside a lot to unrinate, I’m wondering if she is becoming diabetic. She recently had to have an eye removed cuz it kinda blew up due to glaucoma.

I share this for thoroughness in case there’s a connection among all these things.

Get a blood test for the diabetes.

Anyway, I want to do the spray thing again. I have available echinacea root; calendula, peppermint and comfrey infused oils; ginger tincture; and dried calendula and chamomile flowers; dried comfrey, plantain, mullein and several types of mint leaves. I have some fresh ginger root, comfrey, plantain, dandelion and chickweed available too. And the cloves, cinnamon, turmeric types of things in the spice cabinet.

It’s a small apothecary but I’m real new to this.

I was thinking of the echinacea root with the ginger kick, and chamomile and calendula infusion for the spray this time. Should I add comfrey oil? or fresh comfrey?

That’d work. Or you could do what you did before. That worked too. 😉

How to handle the itching?

Use an antihistamine herb like Brigham tea and some liver tonics like Oregon Grape or Burdock. http://homegrownherbalist.net/products/histamine-support

This one would be good as well: http://homegrownherbalist.net/products/histamine-support

Or just put neosporin on it and keep it clean?

That works too.

Help?

I am a real newbie, trying to think logically through all this.

It’s interesting how I know now quite a bit cognitively about these herbs but when it comes time for a clinical situation, I am kinda bewildered by the possibilities. Fascinating, a little scary and like a HUGE creativity puzzle with lots of bits and pieces to put together.

Sounds to me like you’re doing great. If you think of it as a puzzle with one solution you’ll go crazy. It’s not a puzzle with pieces you have to figure out. It’s a canvas with a endless possibilities. You can make a really beautiful painting with only a few colors. As you master other colors, great, use them. But don’t feel like you can’t start painting just because you only have a handful of colors right now. 🙂

Thanks for any help.

Any time.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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