Gardeners & Dogs & Hot Spots

I have a Black Lab who had skin sores or Hot Spots at the base of her back and drove everyone crazy with the biting and scratching (including herself). I heard about using Calendula or Marigold Oil ( from a Vet) on the areas but the cost was astronomical for a small bottle. So I made my own!
I went to the local food (and everything else) store and bought some bedraggled Marigolds, brought them home and coaxed them back to life. When they were good and healthy again, I chopped them off at ground level. I cut them up into small pieces and put them into my blender with some cooking oil (because its edible) and ground it down into the most disgusting looking pulp. I left it to steep for a couple of days and then strained it through cheese cloth. This stuff really works! When I take the bottle out of the cupboard she comes and lays down in front of me. She knows it works.
I have used it on myself, for burns and scrapes. I put it on a two month old scar, from surgery on my hand, and now the scar is barely visible.
Judge for yourself how much oil vs margiolds that you use. I had a concentrated batch but have since thinned it down. Probably 1 cup of oil to a good handful of Marigold would do it.

Did you use the whole plant or just the flowers?

I used the whole plant. It really works, let me know how you make out.

hey we have a dog thats allergic to grass so go figure.... lol and loses all his hair if we don't give a shot each month. Think this might work on that.... I think its worth a try .... my marigolds better run..... ! ?If this works then I will cut ever last one down and make batches to last for ever. How often did you apply it?

Cheeky your talking calendulas or "Pot Marigold" ... right? Calendula is an excellent skin healer and has antiseptic properties. It can also be used in cosmetics and the flower petals can be tossed into salads. The flowers can be dried for teas to aid digestion and as a mouth wash for sore gums. Just crushing a blossom and applying as poultice will soothe skin wounds.

I took an herbal class a few years back and calendulas were a staple ingredient in many of the salves. To make a salve just add a bit of bees wax or paraffin to the oil and it will solidify after you pour it into small jars. Then you can toss it into your purse to carry with you.

Another ingredient that's good for skin healing is comfrey - if you have access to it. It contains proteins that encourage cell-division and rejuvenation. Great for the skin.

It's great to hear it's helped your dog. I can just picture her laying down to get it rubbed on her back.

Thanks poppysue for bringing that info out. Marigolds (tagetes, as in French marigold and mexican mint) are not the same as "pot marigold"/calendula, the one reknown for its healing properties. If you used standard marigolds (French, etc) Cheeky, I wonder if it is the oil that helped the hot spots or, (and wouldn't this be great!) you've just discovered that French marigolds have power also! All in all, I'd considered what you did a success story! Let us know if you discover anything else, okay? And a big welcome to DG!

Hi there! Boy what a good response. Thanks Poppysue for clarifying that point. I had to go dig in my garden to find the tag but the Marigolds that I used were "Tagetes erecta" (Sweet Cream) only because they were the ones that I found on sale.
The oil was Canola Oil. I didn't want to use Mineral oil or Baby Oil because I knew she would lick it off and I wasn't sure if they would hurt her. The Marigolds, I knew were edible because every bug & slug eats them and I haven't found a dead body yet.
Later, when it started working, I researched through the net for more information and thats where the 'Calendula' came from. I have to admit that Marigolds are not my favourite and so if the tag said "Marigold", that was good enough.
However, when I asked about "Marigold Oil" at the health food store they told me that Calendula Oil would be what I would be looking for. Sorry for the mix up...
I put it on every day and if she starts scratching again I just assume that I didn't get enough on or I missed a spot and apply more. (I dig through her hair to find the spots) I spilled about a 1/2 cup on the floor and she licked it all up before I could stop her. It was a race to see who could clean it up fastest. So it can't be bad for her.
A neighbours dog has a horrid wound on her leg (hit by a car) and I put this stuff on and keep her occupied so it gets a minute or two to sink in before she licks it of and it seems to be working there too.
Mystic, I am not a vet so I can't say if it will work on allergies but I don't see how it could hurt. They used "Home Remedies" for centuries before the synthetic stuff came around. I think we should pay more attention to them and stop running to the drug store.
By the way, I have changed her food to a Lamb and Rice formula and she doesn't have nearly as much trouble.
Good Luck Cheeky & Belle