Dog People

WildRumpus

Last Tuesday, I noticed that Ox had a bald spot behind his ear w/ a small scab. I've been keeping an eye on it, and while it doesn't look like it's getting any bigger, the hair isn't growing back. It's not red or anything, just bald, and he's scratching at it occasionally. He doesn't act like it hurts. Any ideas? Think I need to take a trip to the vet?

katiewhompus

Any sign of a tick or fleas or anything like that? Is the skin scaley or just missing a patch of fur?

pooh8402

could be allergies, could be a hot spot. possible treatments: keep the area clean (wash a couple of times a day with mild soap and water) and apply cortisone cream. if it seems to be getting infected, you could apply antibiotic ointment. I wouldn't actually *go* to the vet, but if you're really concerned or the above methods aren't working, you could just call.

WildRumpus

Katie, at first I thought he had a tick because of the scab, but I did a full check and didn't find anything. Rick said he thought it looks like there may be an injection site, but that Ox wouldn't hold still long enough for him to get a really good look. It's not scaley, either, just bald. Not even stubbly.

katiewhompus

That's weird. Maybe he scratched against something and it took the fur off?

MsLaura31

Just jumping in here, but I wouldn't really worry about it yet. If my dog gets a tiny cut or bite, she'll scratch it enough that it makes a bald spot. You can put a little dab of hydrocortisone cream on it and just correct him if you see him scratch the area.

Short of putting a cone on him (which, if it's just a small scab, is probably overkill) that's really all you can do. The hair should grow back in a few weeks.

BTW, I love your pic! Ox is really adorable.

andy71781

It might be worth the $50 or so if your FI thinks something got in there and you can't get him to sit still. 

kellyjellybelly

It could be a bulldog thing - Mr Beefy gets a spo on his right hip every spring, a big bald spot forms, he doesn't even seem to notice.  I took him to the vet last year cause I thought it might be some skin condition - they did a skin scraping, came back negative.  The vet told me that it's something that is common among bulldogs.  Let me google and see if I can find it - she showed me pics in a book, and it looked just like what he had.  

WildRumpus

Jesse, when did you get married?!? I want to see more pictures! You look beautiful!

And thank you Laura, we think he's pretty great


Andy, I think I'm just going to call the vet tomorrow and ask. It *could* also be a spot that they shaved or something for his neuter that I just didn't notice until I gave him a bath.

andy71781

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_dog-people-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ac2f56-9b56-4c2f-ad27-7ac05f5745a7Post:10c8c81e-2689-4533-acbf-80ae1704bb3b">Re: Dog People</a>:
[QUOTE]Jesse, when did you get married?!? I want to see more pictures! You look beautiful! And thank you Laura, we think he's pretty great :) Andy, I think I'm just going to call the vet tomorrow and ask. It *could* also be a spot that they shaved or something for his neuter that I just didn't notice until I gave him a bath.
Posted by Jill9288[/QUOTE]
That sounds like a good idea.  Hopefully they are helpful and honest and tell you if you don't need to come in.

Lisa8888

Its not just a bald spot. There is a scab and the dog continues to stratch the area. Sounds like something bit him and it is still bothering him because he keeps stratching the area. The tick could have fallen off by now. It also could be from an injection. The safest thing to do is to bring him to a vet. In the meantime, apply some hydrocortisone cream/spray.

cnbrantner

I have a mini dachshund and she got a bad tick bite once, it scabbed up real bad and then she had a bald spot for a long time, it evently grew back but the hair on that stop in white now and she doesn't have any other white hairs.