General Question Has anyone used tea tree oil for stopping them licking hotspots on front legs/paws?

[bubbaisapig]

Ok..so I know Bubba is allergic to most grasses so I'm sure that is what started the hotspot. I have bathed, put different medications on it,etc. He licks everything off! I even bandaged it after but he still licks the bandage till it's soaked and when I can't watch him all day..he pulls it off. I just tried tea tree oil, which is a natural antiseptic which smells bad I think. He finally seems to have stopped licking it! Has anyone done this? It says do not use on face, probably because it is pretty potent. Would this affect his breathing at all, you think, on his front leg? Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[izstigspunks]

I've heard tea tree oil is potentially very toxic, esp the highly concentrated versions.

Here's an excerpt from Dr. Andrew Jones.

> ----------------------------
> They said it was safe..
> ----------------------------
>
> Last year I was at a large un-named Pet Supply store in Spokane
> doing some research on Alternate products.
>
> I asked about what I could use for Flea control on my cat.
>
> The sales clerk showed me a product containing high doses of Tea
> Tree oil..
>
> Which is potentially VERY toxic to cats, and small dogs.
>
> I informed the oh so helpful salesperson that it is NEVER safe to
> use on cats, especially as a spray..
>
> She at first challenged me, until I used the
> 'I am a Veterinarian' card, and then proceeded to agree with me..
>
> Here is an abstract documenting some of the toxicity:
>
> ------------------------------------------------
> Toxicity of melaleuca oil and related essential oils applied
> topically on dogs and cats.
> -----------------------------------------------
>
> Villar D, Knight MJ, Hansen SR, Buck WB.
>
> National Animal Poison Control Center, College of Veterinary
> Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 61801.
> Abstract
>
> Cases of melaleuca oil toxicosis have been reported by
> veterinarians to the National Animal Poison Control Center when the
> oil was applied dermally to dogs and cats. In most cases, the oil
> was used to treat dermatologic conditions at inappropriate high
> doses. The typical signs observed were depression, weakness,
> incoordination and muscle tremors. The active ingredients of
> commercial melaleuca oil are predominantly cyclic terpenes.
> Treatment of clinical signs and supportive care has been sufficient
> to achieve recovery without sequelae within 2-3 d.

 

[bubbaisapig]

Wow!! Thank you! Good info! I friend in min in CA used to use it to stop his lab from licking his paws. What else can I do then?

 

[cowsmom]

I wonder if you could put some baby socks on them. I'm trying to think of something that tastes awful you could use on them. Hmm I will think some more

 

[karenben]

The only thing is a cone,it will stop him getting to his feet until they clear up,I used tea tree but it didn't really help,the only thing I found that cooled the hotspots is sudacrem baby cream then when cleared up I use lavender but very diluted to heal the sores,karen

 

[bullmama]

Oh ouch, not a good place for a hotspot! This is what i learned and has worked for me with great success.

Cleaning it with antibacterial soap or hibicleanse is the first step, it needs to dry out. Several times a day is best. Anything with steroid in it is best treatment to relieve the itching. Panalog or malecetic ultra both will do this. I prefer the malecetic ultra because of the drying agents in it. You can also order that online without a script, but you will need something now. Anything with 'zone' at the end of it is a steroid in the active ingredients from your medicine cabinet. But no you don't want Bubba to lick those products either. Would a cone work as Karenben suggested?


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[RiiSi]

The inflatable or the comfy cone is much more comfortable (looking at least) and easier on the furniture. Speedy recovery for Bubba!