Update on Koda: He's MUCH better. Once the meds started kicking in, he stopped fussing with it... no more shirts and he's just sleepy and recovering. It took a good 12 hours for both of them to start working though. Until then he was super obsessive with the licking.

Our experience with prednizone has been a fine one. He's definitely sleepy, but I would expect that from any recovering human or animal. He's not so sleepy that he can't run outside in the backyard when it's time to go out though and the meds are DEFINITELY making him itch less all over, not just in the spot.

So I'd say our experience so far has been a positive one. Prednizone and antibiotics are a pretty common treatment for hot spots and for one as bad as Koda's (who just got off our bed and came to wander around and sit by me and nose his leftover kong ), I would not hesitate to recommend it if the owner feels comfortable doing so. As with all medications, there are risks and not all dogs react the same. Keep that in mind and make the best decision for you and your pet.

Here are some before and after shots. The first two were yesterday after the vet. Then some of the hot spot today.

Looks so much better already!

It's amazing how shaving and leaving it alone makes it heal SO fast! Glad he's feeling better!

Looking good!

Ditto on the prednisone.
I don't like using it, but it works.
Bodhi seems more subdued on it, but today we cut the dose in half.
He doesn't have to have the collar on as long as he's at our feet.

Glad to hear Koda is doing much better!

Wow it does look better already! Thank goodness!

Just an update: Koda is 100% better and his hair is growing back.

He's been on TOTW again for a few weeks now (a little over a month actually) and their itching is totally gone. I don't like the way that Hailey fluctuates weight on it though... so I need to start adding green beans or other low-calorie fillers because she really only needs about 1/2 cup a meal but that little food makes her SO hungry.

I do think the hot spot was related to food allergies. So it's either the turkey or the grain from the Keen because it's clearly not any other fillers.

On that note- if anyone wants a box of Keen... I'd be willing to sell it for $35 which would cover shipping costs. It's an unopened 10 lb box.

My aunt wants to try THK Tori- let me ask her

It's amazing how fast they heal for how open and painful they look Glad that Koda is doing great!

Yay, so glad that he's doing better!!!!

If nobody else wants it I'd gladly buy it off you Tori. Just let me know if it's still available.

Edit to add: Oops, forgot to say that I'm glad he's getting better. Just in time for your wedding since I know you didn't want to have that to worry about on top of everything.