My 2-year old golden retriever has developed his 2nd hot spot this year. Both times were after swimming in a lake. We bathed him the following day and about 1-2 days later he has irritated a sore on his rump. We switched his food to Innova after the first which has make his coat really soft but he is still developing the skin irritations. Any advice on supplements/bathing products/treatment of the sores? We would like to avoid these in the future, but don't want to take away swimming which he loves.

It sure sounds like algae may be the culprit behind these hot spots! Algae is a very common irritant/allergen in dogs, as well as humans. The lake your golden retriever is swimming in may even look free of algae, but undoubtedly there is some in there, and probably in larger quantities than you think! While your pup is enjoying a fun-filled day of swimming, algae is hitching a ride in and on his skin and coat.

My first recommendation is to bath him the same day, preferably as soon as he is done swimming. You want to minimize the amount of time that the algae has contact with his body. I would suggest using a high-quality, alcohol-free shampoo, perhaps a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula to reduce irritation, or an oatmeal formula for a more soothing bath. I would also advise using a rubber grooming brush with thick, deep bristles, such as a Zoom Groom, while bathing to aid in exfoliating the skin and removing any algae or debris that may have gotten down into the coat.

I would definitely continue to feed a premium quality food, like Innova. While this may not directly solve this issue, it will help in keeping your dog's immune system running at its best, which in turn will help in healing and recovering from these sores if they continue in the future.

Please stop in or call the Chuck & Don's that is the most convenient for you and any of our team members will be happy to help you with any additional questions you may have.

Thank you!

"The Chuck"
Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet