Dogs, Puppies, and pet Hot Spot

Archive for the ‘hot spot’ Category

“Hot spot” is the common term for acute moist dermatitis—a hairless, intensely itchy patch that a dog will not leave alone. Because of the constant scratching or chewing to relieve the itch, the skin is often red and inflamed. Hot spots can happen to dogs of any breed or age.
Flea Bites
1. Flea bites are a common reason for hot spots in dogs, usually due to the irritating nature of flea saliva.
Ear Shape
2. According to Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, dogs with hairy, floppy ears get hot spots on the ear flaps. Golden Retrievers and Newfoundlands are prone to this kind of hot spot.
Poor Grooming or Neglect
3. Dogs rescued from puppy mills or hoarders often have hot spots due to not being groomed in their lives. The ASPCA claims that poor grooming is a very common hot spot cause.
Allergies Read the rest of this entry »

An irritation on your dog’s skin may develop into a hot spot if he licks or chews the area. Flea bites, ticks and allergies are among the causes of the initial irritation, prompting the dog to relieve the condition by biting and scratching. Unfortunately, his efforts often worsen the situation, resulting in a painful sore that may become infected. Remedies for hot spots may include home treatment and veterinary treatment.
Cleaning
The first step in treating a hot spot is cleaning the wound and possibly removing the hair surrounding the sore. If the sore is small, you may try cleaning it at home with an over-the-counter medicated dog shampoo that contains cholorhexidine. An iodine solution, such as Betadine, is another cleansing choice. If the sore is large, a veterinarian may need to sedate the dog. Hot spots are painful. Read the rest of this entry »

Any area of skin that is angry pink to red, warm to hot, moist to wet, irritated to bloody, and possibly seeping pus can be called a “hot spot.” It is important to realize, however, that the term “hot spot” is a general description and not a specific diagnosis. Simply put, a hot spot is a patch of your dog’s skin that is bothering her so much that she can’t leave it alone. Because of this overwhelming discomfort, she has rubbed, scratched, and licked it into the condition you see before you.
What to Look For
Gently separate your dog’s hair around the hot spot to get a good look at it. Look for open skin and raw, bloody patches of flesh. Then slowly and carefully look over your dog’s skin for other hot spots. It’s helpful to speak softly to your dog and gently rub her with one hand while checking her skin for hot spots with the other hand. Read the rest of this entry »

1. Like humans, dogs are susceptible to skin infections. One of the most common types of these conditions is known as pyotraumatic dermatitis or, in layman’s terms, a hot spot. Typically, a hot spot starts when an area of the dog’s skin grows irritated and inflamed. You’ll probably notice red skin and the area may feel rough or scaly. Unfortunately, due to a dog’s tendency to bite and scratch the infected area, the condition can spread quickly. In just a few hours, one small patch can turn into a rash covering most of the dog’s body. Hair loss may occur, your dog may develop an unpleasant odor and the spots may fill with pus that, if ruptured, will only further spread the infection. Plus, because they’re most commonly found on areas that your dog can easily reach, such as the legs, feet, flanks and rump, the condition will more than likely spread to multiple locations. Read the rest of this entry »