Posts Tagged ‘infection’
Hair Loss in Dogs
Seasonal shedding occurs naturally but scratching and excessive hair loss can indicate parasites or certain diseases and should be treated before infection sets in. A few of the most common reasons for hair loss in dogs are discussed below.
Flea Allergy
Just one flea bite can cause a reaction in some dogs allergic to flea saliva. Fleas may be hard to detect, particularly on dark haired dogs, but when skin inflammation occurs around the base of the tail, fleas are a suspicion. Flea bites cause itching of the entire body and can lead to infection. The best treatment is prevention in the form of a high quality topically applied flea control. Read the rest of this entry »
Hot Spots in Dogs?
“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 »
Treatment for Your Dog
Some dogs are prone to hot spots, also known as acute moist pyoderma. A dog with a hot spot skin infection is prone to an oozing discharge, skin redness and pain.
Technically known as acute moist pyoderma, a dog’s hot spots can be very difficult to treat and heal. These often chronic canine skin infections can affect dogs of all breeds and ages.
Healing a dog’s hot spot can be a difficult task and the redness, inflammation, oozing and discharge from the hot spot can last for weeks, or even months. The dog will often lick the hot spot, making the skin infection and overall situation even worse in many cases.
Read the rest of this entry »
Dog Hot Spot
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 »