by Heather Fox

What is a Hot Spot?

In the simplest of terms, a hot spot is an area of skin that has an infection. Typically, dogs with thick, long coats, dogs who swim and dogs who live in moist, humid environments are the most likely to have these localized skin surface infections. In addition, flea or bug bites can bring on these infections as well. Initially, these hot spots occur when an excess amount of moisture remains on the skin changing the environment of the skin and allowing bacteria to be present and grow. The bacteria release toxins which then inflame the skin and cause it to be itchy. As a result the dog will chew, bite and lick the area searching for relief. This action unfortunately causes the infection to get worse. This becomes a vicious cycle that can enlarge the spot quickly. It is amazing to note that these spots can appear quickly, usually within twenty to thirty minutes. As mentioned earlier, flea and bug bites can initiate this process as well.

Hot Spots – What to look for

Identifying a hot spot is fairly easy. In general they are large red, inflamed areas that are hairless and can often be oozing or scabbed over. The general localized location for hot spots is mostly on the hind legs or neck but can also appear anywhere on the body the dog can reach with its claws or teeth. In addition, the irritation of the skin can become so inflamed that is painful when touched.

The Diagnosing of Hot Spots

Diagnosing a hot spot usually only requires a visual inspection or physical examination.

If several hot spots are present, a visit to your veterinarian may be needed for testing. These include:

Skin Scraping – This test will rule out other possibilities such as mange.

Fungal Culture – This will rule out Ringworm as the cause.

Testing of Blood – This test is performed in order to ensure that seasonal or inhalant allergies are not the cause.

Skin and Blood Test – These are performed in order to rule out an allergic reaction to fleas.

Invasive treatment for fleas even if none are present.

Dietary food trials to test for food allergies

Treatment of Hot Spots

Things to remember when providing treatment include:

Ease Itching

Clear up the infection

Keep the dog from chewing or licking at the area

Keep the infected area dry

Initially, the remaining hair on the hot spot and the surrounding hair are clipped. The spot is then cleaned well with an antibacterial soap and dried. Clipping and cleaning can be so painful that a dog may have to be sedated for the procedure. This depends on how bad the hot spot is.

A topical and oral antibiotic are the most common treatments. Each one contains a corticosteroid to stop inflammation and itching. By using these medications, your dog is more comfortable thus ending the itch, chew, infection cycle and speeding the healing process.

If your dog is unable to stop licking the area, an Elizabethan collar or lamp shade like collar may be needed. This is generally only needed for a short period of time as most dogs become comfortable within 24 hours. Within one week, the hot spot is usually healed.

Dog Hot Spot Prevention

There are many things you can do to prevent hot spots. They include:

Using top flea control on your dog and the surrounding environment

Clip long-haired and heavy-coated breeds during the summer

If possible, prevent a dog from swimming

If a dog does swim, dry it well afterwards

About the Author:
Heather Fox is a an experience veterinarian who writes and shares her knowledge with others. She is a featured writer on Clivir.com where she shared more information about Dog Illness Diagnosis and Dog Hot Spots Causes.

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Filed under: Dog Health

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