My dog has hot spots. How much prednisone can I safely give?

Question

My pup has BAD hot spots and I have prednisone 20 mg how many times a day would I give it to him I know he can’t have it more than 7 days, I’ve also started him on fish oil hoping it will help for the future. Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 1 year and 8 months old | 100 lbs

Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH · Accepted Answer

I am so sorry that JD is having this problem. Hot spots can typically arise very quickly and can enlarge very quickly as well. The following article has more information on hot spots. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952729 Hot spots are initially treated by clipping the fur around the area and cleaning with an antibacterial solution. Depending on the severity of the infection, your veterinarian may elect for you to treat it topically (with antibacterial wipes or spray) or may send home oral antibiotics. Hot spots can be very painful, so sometimes pain medication will also be sent home. Prednisone can be helpful in decreasing the inflammation, but antibiotics will be needed to resolve the hot spot. The dose and frequency that we use for Prednisone really depends on the hot spot, so your vet would need to give you a recommendation for that. For severe hot spots, we will sometimes starting twice daily, but generally do a tapering dose over a period of 10-14 days. Prednisone cannot be stopped suddenly, so we slowly decrease the dose. One of the most important things in getting hot spots to resolve is making sure they stay dry. If JD’s hot spot is in a location that he can reach, you may need to use an e-collar to prevent licking until the area has healed. Finally, you should discuss possible causes of his hot spot with your vet, so you can try to prevent them again in the future. Fish oils can help, but are often not enough for a dog with severe problems. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

My dog has hot spots. How much prednisone can I safely give?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What to do if my cat has a small hole with pus coming from its ear?

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

My rat is losing weight and has breathing issues. What should I do?

Dog licking paws, fur loss, and jaw wound: Could it be allergies?

Is there a chart for dog food protein biological value and digestibility?

Why does my puppy have bloody, mucousy stools despite diet changes?

Share