Dog Hot Spots: What Are They?
If you have a dog as a pet, you know that they sometimes get something that looks like a rash on their skin, and that it is known as a dog hot spots. Basically it is just one of several skin problems that a dog can have that can be very uncomfortable and irritating for them.
So what hot spots are, are places on a dog that have become infected after a dog has bitten, chewed on, or compulsively licked an area of its skin. This initially rashy area can rapidly spread to other parts of the dogs skin, and then secondary infections start, and then pus gets caught in the dog’s hair, which continues to worsen the situation.
As far as what caused the initial irritation, there are several possibilities. It could have been an environmental or physical skin condition, or it could be something like parasites, bacteria, fungi, or potentially a virus. All of these things can cause a dog to itch initially, and from there it can all go down hill quickly, as when a dog wants to itch, it itches!
And just like humans, dogs have allergies that can irritate their skin, and that irritation leads to the scratching and biting that causes hot spots. Studies have shown, in fact, that one in every seven dogs may feel extreme discomfort due to allergies, and unlike humans, they would have a tough time communicating that and asking for some cough syrup!
Another major source of initial skin irritation is any sort of bite by a flea or a tick. You dog can pick these up just about anywhere, including from other animals, wandering around a new hours or apartment, or heading off exploring into the woods or through any type of farmland or extremely natural area.
If you notice that your dog is suffering from hair loss or excessive shedding, that could potentially point to any one of a number of problems that could eventually cause hot spots or hot spot-like conditions, so just be aware of the signs, and check in with your pet regularly to make sure that nothing looks out of the ordinary.
Treatment for hot spots is usually with creams or ointments to treat the skin, antibiotics to fight the infection, and shaving the hair around the spot to allow for the area to breathe and heal, rather than be under a coat of fur.
So now that you’re a little bit more aware of what hot spots are, if this is something that you imagine your dog or a friend’s dog has, you will know a few of the signs and causes, and can get the appropriate medicine to make sure you dog is healthy and happy.
I’m a pet health specialist who specializes in treatment for dogs’ itchy skin.