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‘Hot spots’ not so hot

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My cat seems to not be able to jump up onto his favorite chair in the sun very much any more. He is OK once he is up there, but he hesitates to go there as much. He never complains so I don’t really know what could be wrong. Could you offer some suggestions on what could help him?
Wondering about the puss

Dear Wondering: Cats are stoic critters that sometimes go years without complaining or asking to be fussed over. Sometimes the only thing we notice is they hide a little more or hesitate to do something even when they are in noticeable pain. If your puss is not going into his favorite chair – something is probably wrong, and I suspect it could be arthritis or “spondylosis,” which is a type of problem in his spine where the vertebrae in his lower back are developing a problem and even trying to fuse together. This is a painful area in the cat and can cause them to really have a decreased quality of life. Since this kitty really has enjoyed a favorite spot in the sun, I suggest you “hightail” him to get a good quality X-ray of his back and hips to see if he may have something orthopedic causing him pain. He may be a good candidate for a safe liquid medication that would make him much more comfortable so he can get back to doing what I presume he does best: very little, but in the sun, and on his favorite chair, whenever the heck he chooses. Thanks for caring enough about him to write.
Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My dog was bitten by a flea (we think) and a week later he got a bunch of sores on his rear. I went on line and read about “hot spots” but the area is not hot at all. He has not responded to the Bio Spot I put on, but I am wondering if he needs something to cool the skin down, like a cool bath.
Flea Hater

Dear Flea Hater: There is a really good chance that your dog has developed a delayed hypersensitivity reaction after being bitten by fleas. Bio Spot is a product that is packaged to look like Frontline but works very differently – it is actually absorbed into the bloodstream and is much less effective than Frontline (Fipronil) at keeping fleas off the pet completely. The result is a terrible itch and staph infection that causes dogs and cats to lick and scratch themselves crazy and a resulting “superficial moist dermatitis” that is sometimes referred to as a “hot spot.” It isn’t really “hot” like a stove in terms of temperature per se, but it is more of a “trouble spot” that needs attention.
Many veterinarians (myself included) recommend using a proven flea preventative every 3 weeks in pets that are so sensitive to flea bites. These products are sold in veterinary hospitals, and since Bio Spot works about as well as a one-armed wall-paper hanger, I would upgrade to a better product such as Frontline if I were you. It may also help to have your pet get a medicated bath to cut down on the discomfort and he may benefit from some antibiotics to help heal the bacterial infection that has developed in the skin during this ultra-itchy period. Good luck with his skin.
Dr. F

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