Dogs that lick, chew, or scratch themselves may cause hotspots – itchy lesions which bleed quickly and become infected quickly.
Hot spots on dogs are simple to treat if you follow your vet’s advice; most dogs usually show improvements within several days.
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Identifying the Cause
If your pup has hot spots, it could be an indicator that there is an underlying condition to address – skin infection, flea infestation or pain may all need to be taken into consideration.
These symptoms should prompt your veterinarian to conduct a complete physical exam of your dog in order to identify what the source may be. They’ll closely inspect any lesions present to diagnose their source.
Once a vet understands what’s ailing their animal, they can begin treating the hot spot with medication that will keep it clean while killing bacteria and reducing inflammation.
Your veterinarian may suggest an Elizabethan collar (also referred to as an “e-collar”) in order to prevent your dog from licking and scratching at their hot spot.
Keeping the Area Clean
Maintaining your pet’s cleanliness can help protect against hot spots from appearing, so take time each week to bathe them with a safe shampoo tailored for their specific coat type and pH level, for optimal skin health.
After bathing or swimming with your pup, their fur may become matted, trapping moisture in its locks. Matted hair provides the ideal breeding ground for bacteria which may lead to hot spots.
Once your pup has received its bath or swim, be sure to carefully dry him or her to eliminate excess water and potential irritants from their coats – this step is especially essential for those breeds with long or thick coats which tend to become matted more quickly than shorter-coated breeds.
Once a dog has been diagnosed with a hot spot, treatment must begin immediately to aid healing and prevent reinfection. Medicated wipes containing chlorhexidine may help cleanse and heal affected areas quickly.
Keeping the Area Dry
Hot spots are red, swollen, circular patches that appear suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere, often growing quickly and causing hair loss, an unpleasant odor or pus to seep from them.
Keep the area as dry as possible to reduce any further aggravation of a hot spot in your dog, particularly if they have long coats prone to mats. This step can especially aid if they tend to develop hair mats.
Grooming: Regular grooming sessions (especially if you do it yourself!) can help protect against hot spots by cutting away matting from your pet’s coat, which traps moisture that causes hot spots. Grooming will also keep bacteria at bay.
Avoid excessive humidity both at home and during outdoor activities to help combat hot spots. Rain and pool bathing can create environments which encourage itching and licking that contribute to hot spots.
If your pet seems to be suffering from itching, seek medical advice immediately to identify its source and any underlying medical conditions that need treating.
Medicating
Hot spots on dogs are common during hotter temperatures, and can become extremely itchy, sore, and uncomfortable for your furry pal. For best results, seek advice from your veterinarian in order to properly treat and prevent future incidents from recurring.
Your veterinarian will administer a swab to assess the area, prescribing topical or systemic antibiotics to combat infection and anti-inflammatories and steroids to soothe pain, itching, or swelling.
Your vet may recommend monthly flea treatments and hypoallergenic diets to address allergies that cause dog hot spots. Grooming regularly with short coats and reduced stress on skin may also help decrease chances of hot spot recurrence.
