Several weeks ago, I was asked by some friends to take a look at Lady, their 12-year-old Bernese mountain dog. Lady was currently on a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, Rimadyl® (similar to Motrin), for degenerative joint disease in her elbows and stifles (knees). Recently, it had become even more difficult for her to get up, and she was unable to complete her daily walks. Twelve years of age is an advanced age for a Bernese mountain dog, however, Lady seemed to be doing well except for her long-standing joint problems. Her difficulty was most noticeable in her hindquarters, where she had had surgery on both stifles for ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments.
A friendly, laid-back, happy, dog
Like most Bernese mountain dogs, Lady is a very friendly, laid-back, happy dog. Even though it is recommended that the medication she is on be given twice daily, Lady was being medicated only on days her owners felt she was particularly sore, because she would come down with a bout of diarrhea when dosed on a twice-daily basis.
When I began examining Lady, she proceeded to roll over on her back, much preferring a tummy rub to being poked and prodded. With some difficulty we got her to stand, and, other than the previously noted degenerative joint disease in her hind legs as well as her front legs, I could not find any other significant abnormalities except that Lady was more than a bit overweight. At this point, we decided to try a different medication, hoping that it might be more beneficial and that it could also be given at the recommended dose without causing diarrhea.
Improvement, then a setback
As I was leaving, Lady’s owners decided they would move their mattresses downstairs so Lady wouldn’t have to struggle upstairs each night, where she slept at the foot of their bed (evidence of the amazing human/animal bond and how our pets become members of our family). I also stressed the importance of Lady losing weight, as extra pounds make joint problems even worse, and we initiated a weight loss regimen in addition to the change in medication.
I phoned Lady’s family a week later and was happy to hear that she was doing much better, so we decided to continue with the new medication as well as the weight loss program.
But a few weeks later, Lady’s family called and asked me if I would stop by because Lady seemed to have regressed to her original state. She was also very lethargic and not eating, which made me think perhaps we might be dealing with something not necessarily related to her joint problems.
A case of hot spots
Just walking in the door, I could see that Lady was worse than last time. She barely lifted her head to see who was at the door and didn’t even try to get up. I was told that Lady had been boarded at a neighbor’s down the road for the last week and had not been herself since returning home. Also they noticed an unpleasant odor, and she was constantly licking around her anal and groin area. Although her temperature had been normal on my previous visit, this time she had a fever.
She let me roll her over, where I found a large hairless area that was inflamed, moist, and exuding pus. The veterinary diagnosis for this condition is acute moist dermatitis, commonly referred to as a hot spot. Hot spots can occur anywhere on the body. They are most commonly seen in large, heavy-coated breeds like golden retrievers and Newfoundlands, but can affect any and all breeds and crossbreeds. They are also much more commonly seen in hot and humid weather. I most often diagnosed them in goldens.
Looking for a cause
The cause of hot spots can be any irritant that starts the dog scratching (fleas, mites, allergies, ear and anal gland infections, as well as others). I think another cause might be boredom, because it seems I would see cases after dogs had spent time in boarding kennels, as was the case with Lady. As the dog continues scratching, the site can expand very rapidly.
Because hot spots are very sensitive, your veterinarian will often have to sedate or anesthetize your dog to adequately clip the hair away and cleanse the area. She or he will also prescribe cortisone creams to apply to the area to take away the inflammation and itchiness. Because secondary infections are often the case, your vet may also prescribe an oral antibiotic. Most often treatment is continued for 10-14 days. Elizabethan collars may also help keep the dog from further traumatizing the area.
In Lady’s case, it was the secondary infection that explained her fever and was the cause of her inappetence (not eating) and listlessness. Typically, dogs will feel much better in a matter of days, as was the case with Miss Lady.
East Bare Hill Road resident Fred Karotkin is a veterinarian.
