Dogs, Puppies, and pet Hot Spot

Posts Tagged ‘pollen’

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 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 »

Understanding the cause of your pet’s allergies and skin rashes will help you develope a treatment plan that goes beyond masking the symptoms to addressing the cause.
There is an interesting array of retail products, shampoos, creams and conditioners that make impressive claims to “fix” skin rashes or soothe and heal hotspots. This may well be the case, however, without making the necessary internal changes, these products will provide a temporary band aid, effectively masking the symptoms without addressing the actual cause of the issue. This is when a holistic approach to treatment becomes favorable.
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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 »