Coke had a bad Thanksgiving.

 Poor Coke!  Don't lick the spot handsome, the cone is evil!

 poor coke. I'd put the cone on him regardless, especially if he's hiding out and you can't watch him if he licks.

Jewlieee

 poor coke. I'd put the cone on him regardless, especially if he's hiding out and you can't watch him if he licks.

I don't like giving meds if I don't have to but I caved.  It's looking better already, not sure if that's the meds or having it properly shaved and cleaned.  He's sleeping now and leaving it alone.  At the vet, the spot had areas of bright red inflammation and spots that were yellow-y green and oozy; now it looks a lot better, the same color and more like white bare skin.  It doesn't smell.  I asked the vet about the cone and he suggested giving the meds a day and getting a cone if it did not improve.  Coke is a wimp and would probably stress out with the cone and not settle and be more likely to try to get the cone off and attack the spot.  Right now he's sleeping, no longer pacing around and trying to lick so I'll give it another night...  We're giving him his space since the pred can make dogs weird and the other dogs keep trying to "help".

I'm not sure what caused it, the vet was combing his fur and looking at his skin, maybe looking for fleas?  He asked me if Coke itches but he doesn't and doesn't have any allergies or fleas.  He never touched the area until after the spot showed up.  I'm not surprised the hotspot is in this spot though, it is where he has the most dense fur, and also there is little airflow when he's sleeping b/c when he's on that side it would be pressed against the floor.  It's been damp and rainy here all week and the dogs have been constantly going in and out in the rain.  I towel Coke off as best I can but his fur is so dense and he has a long top coat.

The vet was looking for A flea simply because the base of the tail is the precise spot that flea allergy dermatitis begins.  It starts there and then flows up the back and down the rump.  It CAN get massive quickly and honestly can only be toned down with antibiotics and pred.  (remember pred will make him drink  like a fiend and eat like a horse!!)

Flea allergy dermatitis can be developed pretty much any time -- and all it takes is ONE bite to make them a mess for months.  It's the flea spit they are allergic to (yeah literally) and they literally react TO the bite. And like I said -- all it takes is ONE bite when the body decides it's allergic. Not successive bites (the darned thing may bite and die and it's still that one bite that can cause untold trauma).

So honestly your vet did exactly the right thing "in case" -- and in any event it will tone it down. 

But it was the *position* of the hot spot that made the vet check for the flea (and it's one of those things "if you suspect ... treat for it" anyway)

Hope Coke is feeling better and out of hiding soon! 

Today was pretty much the same.  He's just hiding out, but otherwise doesn't seem too negatively effected by the pred.  The sore has not grown anymore and looked like it had crusted over, it also seems less swollen.  Tomorrow I'm trading a crate for a cone just in case.

There is an alternate to the "cone" which is more of a "neck collar" that prevents the dog from flexing his neck.  I'm just throwing this option out there. but admit that it may not work on a big dog with lots of mid-body flexibility.  Coke might be able to reach his butt even with his neck held stiffly. 

Still, something for people to know about since the cone can be so upsetting to a some dogs.

dynamobt

There is an alternate to the "cone" which is more of a "neck collar" that prevents the dog from flexing his neck. 

Awww, Coke buddy, you get better soon and leave the boo boo alone.

 I tried something else on Thurs., but the spot is so far back and he's big/long he can pretty much get to it no matter what unless he's muzzled or coned so his mouth can't touch the spot.

Poor bubby.  I hope Coke feels better soon.  I know what you mean about the steroid, not crazy about the idea...but it sounds like he needs it.  Here's some don't lick the hot spot vibes ... poor sweetie.

 Sorry I'm late coming to this, but the past week has been crazy. I hope by now he's much better. Sending healing vibes his way.