Pet Project
Hot Dog
Cooling Down Hot Spots By Amy Marie Orozco
The highs of sharing life with a dog are many. Fortunately, the lows are few. Nonexistent some may say. If your canine could talk, maybe they’d say, “Hot spots are the lowest of the lows.” Chronic and incurable, hot spots, sometimes called the Santa Barbara Itch, are red, irritated, and painful areas of a dog’s skin. They can appear anywhere on a canine’s body and are common on the feet, tail, and behind.
be moving with more ease or another’s scratching lessened. This inspired her to begin her own research on the medical properties of cannabis. Remember, evidence-based (versus anecdotal-based) research of cannabis, is relatively new due to its illegal status and demonization.
Though death by THC intoxication is rare in dogs, it can cause severe respiratory depression. Canines have many If your pup continually chews or licks a localized patch of more THC receptors, concentrated near the brain stem, than skin, chances are there is a hot spot. Though they can’t be humans. THC toxicity is easier to manage in dogs, though, cured, they can be managed for a better quality of life. than raisins, grapes, or strychnine, according to Dr. Gillen. Management is a multi-pronged approach, according to Dr. Eileen Gillen, DVM, who splits her time between a Like any remedy, the dosage of plant medicine is very canine rehab and acupuncture practice and shifts as an important, and it goes for dogs as well as for humans to go emergency room veterinarian at Central Coast Veterinary slow. Generally speaking, a good starting point is 0.25mg to Group in Arroyo Grande. 0.55mg of medicine per 1 kilogram of dog. The method can be topical, oral, or something else. Reminder: It goes without She discovered saying that it is best to consult with your veterinarian about cannabis can a cannabis regimen for Fido. Researching on your own will serve as one benefit your pet, too. prong of that approach and Cannabis may not work with some dogs.; it’s all very individual. now creates Other ways to manage hot spots include modifying diet, custom-made switching shampoos, monthly injections, and over-theCBD treats to counter creams, which can be hit or miss. Keep the area help dogs. clean, clipping the fur may be necessary and sometimes the Dr. Eileen Gillen, DVM and her Viszla “Bender” cone of shame may have to be utilized. Like many discoveries, hers was unexpected. After medical marijuana was legalized in California, people would bring Cooling down your dog’s hot spots may take time. Your best their dogs, who had signs of THC exposure, to the emergency friend, however, is worth the investment. CS room. Oftentimes, the pet had gotten into an owner’s edibles or eaten some buds. The dogs would be fine. Later, Dr. Eileen Gillen, DVM, may be reached at egillen@aol.com. the veterinarian remembers, owners would telephone to say their pet was doing great. Maybe one with arthritis would Summer 2021 Cannabis by the Sea
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