Does Your Dog Have a Hot Spot?

Does Your Dog Have a Hot Spot

Is your dog constantly scratching and chewing at one particular spot?  Did that spot become an open sore?  If you answered yes to these questions then your dog probably has a condition known as pyotraumatic dermatitis, or in laymen’s terms a hot spot.  Hot spots are simply skin infections that is caused by bacteria.  Spots happen when the skin is itchy and the dog chews the hair away at that spot.  When your dog has an itch it is perfectly natural for them to chew at the spot.

The Causes of Hot Spots

Hot spots can be caused by a number of things including fleas, ticks but the most likely cause is an allergy.  If the situation is not treated your dog can permanently damage their skin.  Dog allergies are more common than you think but discovering what your dog is allergic to can be challenging.  Dogs with heavier coats seem to get hot spots more often than short haired dogs.  Long haired dogs in the spring and summer shed their undercoats when it is starts getting warm and humid and this too can cause your dog to have a hot spot.

Where to the Develop Hot Spots

Generally dogs get hot spots along their flanks, on their legs or feet or somewhere on the rear areas.  Don’t be fooled your dog can get an itchy skin infection anywhere including their chests, neck and even their ears.  Anywhere their hair can get matted is a prime spot for a hot spot.  When your dog gets itchy they chew or lick the area to scratch the area and this is what allows an infection to develop.

What to Do?

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In most cases hot spots are relatively harmless and you can treat them at home fairly easily.  Remove the hair from around the sore to allow it to heal and you also want to keep it from spreading.  Use some mild antiseptic to clean the area and you can apply some topical antibiotics.  If the condition persists or gets worse they you may need to take the dog to the vet for treatment.

Keeping Your Dog Healthy

The easiest way to prevent hot spots from happening is to keep your dog healthy and their natural immune system will take care of the rest.  This starts with feeding them good food.  Lots of breeds are prone to allergies and some are gluten intolerant so do a little research on your breed and start eliminating potential allergens from their diet.  Take the necessary steps to keep your dog free of fleas and ticks so they don’t have to deal with bites.  A healthy dog is a happy dog.

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