The Leonberger can suffer from minor skin complaints just like any other breed of long haired dog. They are no more or no less prone to these irritations that other breeds. The area of skin infected becomes a “Hotspot”.

 

What is a ‘Hotspot’?..........you will notice an area of fur that is damp, looks as though your dog has been licking the area. Upon inspection you may notice it smells and may have a yellow discharge in the area.

 

They are usually caused by an insect bite or dog bite from play, or scratch mark off barbed wire etc. …if not treated quickly then this can spread like wild fire and develop into a large area of thick smelly discharge that will require specialist vet care.

 

Food allergies can make a dog more prone to these ‘hotspots’, the main ingredients causing a potential problem being wheat, gluten, beef, egg and some others. We have listed them in their order of importance to allergies. If your dog develops these ‘hotspots’ regularly then try to feed them on a wheat and gluten free dry food with chicken and rice being the 1st listed major

ingredients.

 

Treatment is varied and up to your personal preference, but beware the overzealous vet who will almost certainly shave the area and apply antibiotics and cream etc!

 

Simpler and cheaper remedies are available if you attack the area quick enough:-

 

 

Immediate Treatment:

 

Wash the area immediately with water and a good antibacterial/antifungal shampoo such as “Malaseb”, which you can get from your vet. Let the area dry naturally after minimal towelling, do not use a hair dryer and monitor the spot 3 times a day if possible.

 

If it re-occurs then take Leo to the vet for specialist treatment.

 

This treatment should stop the infection spreading without having to shave the infected area of his fur which will take months to grow back.

 

OR...If you have no special shampoo then douse the infected area 4 times a day in salt

solution, this has worked for us in the past with smaller spots. You do need to ensure that you part the fur so that the brine can get to the infected skin and not just sit in the fur.

 

You will know that you are winning the battle against the infection because a dry scab will begin the form over the infected skin area which indicates that it is drying out which is a good sign. You still have to be vigilant because sometimes bacteria can live under the scab and it can re-occur again, but generally a dry scab is a good sign.

 

If this does not happen within a couple of days or you feel unable to control the spread….take your Leo to the vet asap!