Oh my goodness, it's not cruel! And he doesn't only scratch, he EATS and bites at this spot, quickly drawing blood. In fact, we demonstrated it at the vet today - we took his clothes off and he immediately went for the spot. She seemed a bit alarmed by his vigor. The vet is totally supportive of clothes, cones, or any other barrier that will keep him from eating at and infecting this spot, and any other spot.
When he gets baths, he does get an e-collar on until he's dried, or else he goes right to his hot spot. |