This blog discusses hot spots in dogs and how to prevent and treat them.
If your dog has patchy, red, and inflamed itchy skin due to scratching, it may have a “hot spot.” Known as acute moist pyoderma, hot spots in dogs require emergent care to stop the itch and prevent further self-trauma. This blog discusses hot spots in dogs and how to prevent and treat them.
What Is It?
Canine hot spots, technically termed acute moist pyoderma, are red, inflamed skin lesions that appear quickly, ooze, and might contain pus. They can be found anywhere on a canine’s body, most commonly on the head, legs, and hips. While usually easy to spot, these painful, itchy, smelly sores can be or hidden beneath matted fur.
Causes
Hot spots in dogs typically happen when a canine scratches an itch excessively, creating an open wound. Many factors can cause the initial itch in dogs including:
- Allergies such as environmental or food that cause itching.
- Pyoderma is a primary skin infection due to yeast or bacteria that may encourage the dog to scratch an area excessively where secondary hot spots form.
- Dogs, like people, can develop bad habits. Rather than biting their fingernails, bored or stressed dogs lick areas they can easily reach such as their feet and forearms.
- Reactions to insect bites like fleas, ticks, mites, or other small insects.
- Canines with unkempt hair coats can bite at their tangles, creating open wounds. This can result in hot spots.
- Dogs with back problems or arthritis tend to lie down most of the time.
- Lying on one side for too long creates abrasions over pressure points, which can erupt into a hot spot when the dog licks the abrasion.
- Anal gland inflammation can cause hot spots when dogs lick the area around their rectums.
Hot spots in dogs can significantly increase in size in a short time. Pet owners might go to work after noticing a pinpoint area of redness and come home at the end of the day to discover a wound the size of a pancake.
Treatment
Treatment option vary depending on the severity of the hot spot. Some options to treat and help prevent worsening or future hot spots include:
- Placing an e-collar or cone to deter your dog from chewing at the hot spot
- Oral or topical steroids and antihistamines to minimize the itching
- Your dog’s anal glands might need to be expressed if the hot spot formed due to impacted anal glands
- Your vet can recommend a hypoallergenic diet for food allergies
- If poor grooming is the reason for your dog’s hot spot, you can start having your pet groomed on a regular basis
- For ear infections, your vet will treat the underlying bacteria or yeast
- We may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to your pet if arthritis is the culprit
Management and Prevention
Ongoing monitoring and treatment of the underlying cause of hot spots in dogs should prevent future potential ones. Some dogs may also benefit from seasonal grooming, constant brushing, and bathing.
HERE AT MOUNT CARMEL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, WE’LL TREAT YOUR PETS LIKE FAMILY!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook.