TREATMENT & PREVENTION OF HOT SPOTS ON DOGS
Dr Uday Kumar
Veterinary officer at NIPER Hajipur
https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/dogs-skin-care-management-tips/
If you’ve noticed your dog itching more than usual and discovered a moist red spot on their skin under their fur, your beloved canine friend might be dealing with a skin condition known as dog hot spots
Hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis, are painful, red areas of infected skin that appear to be irritated and are sometimes raised.
Hot spots on dogs can occur anywhere on the body, but they are commonly found on the face, neck, limbs or hips. The size and appearance of the lesions can vary slightly in each location, but most will look similar regardless of where they are.
These spots can appear quickly, usually with some degree of hair loss, and they become much larger in a matter of days.
Hot spots on dogs can be relatively minor and heal quickly, but they do have the potential to cause more serious issues, such as widespread infection or deeper skin ulcerations.
What are dog hot spots?
Dog hot spots are areas of infected skin that look red, wet and sometimes raised. Officially known as Moist Dermatitis, hot spots can be found anywhere on the body and can increase in size very quickly. Your dog will experience them as itchy and sometimes painful patches and will often try to soothe hot spots with scratching, licking or biting. A hot spot, referred to by vets as moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis, is a superficial common skin infection that happens when normal skin bacteria overrun the skin’s defenses as a result of damage to its surface. The skin damage is most often started by the dog chewing, scratching, licking and gnawing at itself. In the first stages of the formation of hot spots, the skin becomes moist, red, itchy, and infected. Pus begins to ooze from the traumatized skin as infection sets in. Then, the dried pus and damaged skin surface will work to form a tightly-adhered crust, and you will likely notice hair loss over the infection site. The formation of moist dermatitis can be a very painful process, and frequently, dogs will show pain when the area is touched.
Dogs are their own worst enemy when it comes to hot spots, and they are generally created by their own over-zealous self-licking and chewing. They can arise surprisingly quickly: a few minutes of “work” can create an impressive area of self-inflicted trauma. The good news is that hot spots almost always look worse than they actually are, and infection is usually superficial—often resolving with topical treatment alone.
So, what causes our dogs to begin self-chewing and licking in the first place? Good question, with a common denominator being anything that creates irritation to the skin, causing the dog to chew or scratch at the site, can cause a hot spot. Think insect bites (fleas, flies), skin allergies, excess skin-surface moisture, dogs with heavy or dense hair coats, matted hair, saliva accumulation under the fur (think of the pet that is always licking its feet), skin scrapes, or excessive humidity in the environment can all be sources for a hot spot to develop. Another interesting cause: good old-fashioned boredom.
The location of the hot spots may help your veterinarian determine the underlying cause of the problem. For example, a hot spot over the hip area could indicate flea infestation, hip arthritis, or an anal gland infection. Similarly, a hot spot near an ear could indicate an ear problem, an allergy, or a dental/nerve irritation.
What Do Dog Hot Spots Look Like?
Picture of a hot spot.
The actual hot spot lesion can range in size but is usually red, inflamed, and raw, and may bleed intermittently.
The area will become moist and painful and typically spreads due to licking, chewing, and/or scratching.
Hot spots on dogs will usually look different than other skin conditions, such as ringworm or mange, because the skin is very moist and inflamed.
Ringworm, as well as some parasitic skin infections, will have associated hair loss but are usually drier in appearance compared to hot spots.
What causes the hot spots on dogs?
Anything from skin allergies to insect bites or just a minor graze can be the starting point for a hot spot to develop. If there is enough moisture on the skin’s surface for bacteria to take hold, this will create the right conditions for hot spots. Certain breeds are predisposed to skin conditions, including hot spots. Commonly affected breeds include Golden Retrievers, English Bulldogs, and German Shepherds.
Most hot spots on dogs are caused by an underlying condition that either causes itchiness, excessive licking, or excessive moisture.
Some of the most common causes are:
- Flea bites.
- Food allergies.
- Stress or boredom which causes excessive licking that irritates and breaks the skin.
- Injuries and grazes.
- Excess moisture in the dog’s coat after swimming or bathing.
Dog hot spots tend to be more common during summer days when humidity is high, which is why they are also known as summer sores. Although long-haired breeds with thick coats are more prone to this skin infection, hot spots can affect any dog.
Dog hot spot treatment
Once you’ve identified hot spots on your dog’s skin, prepare for a vet visit to discuss possible treatments. After establishing and treating any underlying cause, your vet will likely prescribe the following course of action:
- Trimming the area around the hot spot.
- Cleaning the skin with a mild antiseptic.
- Prescribed medications can include topical sprays to help heal the hot spot and, depending on the case, the vet might recommend antibiotics to help fight the infection or steroids for combating inflammation.
- A dog cone can also be applied to stop them from scratching or licking the hot spots.
Most dog hot spots will begin to disappear in a few days after the start of the treatment.
The Basics Of Home Hot Spot Treatment For Dogs Are:
- If the area is small and non painful, carefully and gently clip the fur that is covering the area—this allows air and medication to reach to wound (word of caution: use approved grooming clippers, not scissors!)
- Keep your pet from licking the area—you guessed it, get out that cone of shame.
- Apply a warm, moist compress to the area 3 times daily for 5-10 minutes to keep the area clean, to calm the tissues, and to encourage good circulation; allow the area to fully dry before applying anything topically.
- Use only pet safe, veterinary approved, over-the-counter treatments; as always, it is best to consult with your veterinarian prior to starting any home treatment.
- Do not place any bandages or wraps to cover the area—you want the area to “breathe.”
- Alleviate the itching or irritation that started the whole thing in the first place—get to the bottom of the source, otherwise you will be faced with a loosing battle.
Home Remedies for Hot Spots on Dogs
If you aren’t able to get to the vet right away, there are a few things you can do at home to help heal hot spots.
Human medications such as Neosporin, hydrocortisone, and Vaseline should NOT be used. Topical creams and ointments tend to cause dogs to lick the area even more, so they should be avoided if possible.
Follow these steps to promote healing of the hot spot:
- Trim the area around the hot spot with dog hair clippers (not scissors). This will allow the affected area to get some air and prevent excess moisture from slowing down the healing process.
- Clean the skin with a mild, water-based antiseptic spray or wipe, like Douxo Chlorhexidine 3% PS pads, or an antibacterial shampoo.
- Apply a veterinary-recommended hot spot treatment spray that is safe if ingested.
- Place an e-collar, or “the cone of shame,” on your dog to help prevent them from biting, licking, or scratching the hot spot.
- Monitor the area for improvement and signs of healing (decreased redness, less moisture, smaller lesion size).
Contact your veterinarian for an exam to treat the underlying issue, and notify them if the area is not healing or is getting worse.
How to prevent hot spots on dogs
Hot spots are a skin condition, so keeping your dog’s skin healthy is the first step towards keeping infections at bay. Make sure you don’t skip any flea treatment session, manage any allergies they have and make sure your dog dries off quickly once their swimming or bathing time comes to an end.
Regular grooming also plays an important prevention role when it comes to dog hot spots. Clipping long coats, especially when it’s hot outside, will stop moisture from getting trapped close to the skin and creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
If your dog has an itching habit every time they get bored or anxious, make sure you keep them less worried and more entertained. For example these dog exercises will keep an energetic puppy happily busy for hours. But if you suspect it’s more than just pure boredom making your dog itchier than normal, read our article on dog fear and anxiety for advice on how to help a scared canine friend.
Tips Preventing Hot Spots On Your Dog:
- One of the things that can’t be stressed enough is appropriate flea control! Good flea control is important for any itchy pet and is the foundation of “itch prevention.”
- In hot, humid weather, always thoroughly dry your heavy-coated dog after bathing or swimming.
- Make sure your dog is groomed on a regular basis.
- Keep boredom and stress at bay—provoide adequate exercise and opportunities for mental stimulation and play.
- Introduce essential fatty acids into your pets diet to help keep a healthy coat.
