Hot spots are one of the most common skin conditions that dogs go through. It usually occurs during summer, and hence, it is also known as summer sores. These oozing sores can be very itchy and painful for a dog and should be treated as soon as possible. Here is everything you need to know about dog hot spots and how you can treat them.
What is a Hotspot on a Dog?
Want to know What is a Hotspot on a Dog? The hot spot or acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in dogs where some skin turns red. It can cause your dog inflammation, and you may find him licking the infected part. It can occur anywhere in your canine friend’s body, but you can commonly find it on his head, hands, legs, and hips. The red wet spot may appear like an insect bite sometimes, but you should not ignore it if you find your dog in excruciating pain. If you find your dog constantly licking the affected area, you must do something about it because the hot spot may become a bacterial infection later.
What Does a Hot Spot Look Like on a Dog?
Below are some of the signs or symptoms of what does a hot spot look like on a dog which may include:
- Redness in a particular area
- Constantly licking a specific area
- Fur loss in a specific area
- Dry and scaly skin
- Changes in behaviour
- Itchy and painful patch of skin
- Foul odour from the wound
- Swelling in the itchy area
- Crusted scabs
- Inflammation in a patch of skin
- Uncomfortable to touch
What Causes Hot Spots on Dogs?
What causes hot spots on dogs? Usually, Staphylococcus intermedius in dogs is a type of bacteria found on the skin or mouth, that causes hot spots. Sometimes, the skin cannot protect itself from the bacteria, which swells a skin patch. Here are some of the common causes of hot spots in dogs:
- Flea bites or parasites
- Anal sac disease
- Ear infections
- Skin infections
- Food allergies
- Contact irritants
- flea allergy dermatitis
- Excessive licking due to anxiety or boredom
- Matted coat
- Lack of moisture in the coat due to extreme swimming or bathing
Canine Breeds Affected by Hot Spots
Even though all breeds of dogs are vulnerable to hot spots, species with thicker coats are more likely to be affected by this condition. Golden retrievers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Labrador retrievers, and English Bulldogs are some breeds with thicker skin coats, making them more prone to the condition of hot spots. Apart from this, dogs with fleas or that swim or bathe excessively are more likely to be affected by hot spots because they make their skin lack moisture.
How to Treat Dog Hot Spots?
They can cure some hot spots at home, while others have to be diagnosed by a health professional. If the hot site on your dog is not severe, then you can follow these steps for how to treat dog hot spots.
#1 Trim the hair around the wound
You must first trim the hair around the patch with scissors. You can also take help from a professional if you have not done this before. While cutting around the wounded area, you need to be careful not to hurt your dog because the affected area is quite sensitive.
#2 Clean the affected part
After trimming the affected area, you need to clean it with a product that is pH appropriate. This method will ensure that the wound does not cause further pain and distress for your dog. You will find several products online that are designed to treat hot spots. You can ask any health professional about the most suitable product for your dog to clean the wounded area.
#3 Relieve the wounded area
Once you have cleaned the wounded area, you can do a cool wash or use a cloth to soothe the affected area. After this, you can pat the area dry.
#4 Treating the hot spot
Once you have patted the wound dry, you can apply a gel formulated to treat hot spots on dogs. You can do this for a few days to see the results. If your dog does not stop licking and scratching the desirable area, you may have to take him to the vet.
#5 Protecting the affected area
You must ensure your dog does not lick the site constantly to heal the wound. You can buy a recovery cone online or from a pet store to prevent your dog from licking the hot spot.
To treat a hot spot in a dog, you need to know its root cause. Suppose the steps mentioned above do not work. In that case, if you see the hotspot increasing or bleeding consistently, you must consult a veterinarian to find out the underlying cause of the hotspot. Also, you can use vet’s best hot spot spray for dogs.
How to Prevent Hot Spots on Dogs?
There is an easy method for How to Prevent Hot Spots on Dogs in a simple way if you discover its underlying cause. Some dogs get affected by hot spots due to flea bites or parasites, while it affects others due to excessive swimming. Therefore, you need to consult a veterinarian to understand the cause and get appropriate solutions. However, it would help if you kept your dog hygienic and groomed to prevent hot spots. If your dog does excessive swimming, you must clean him properly, mainly the ears, to avoid ear infections. You should also ensure that your dog’s coat is dry to provide moisturization. Good parasite prevention and preventing excessive licking in your dog can help you avoid the issue of hot spots.
Homemade Remedies for Hot Spots on Dogs
If they spotted a hot spot in the early stages, they can cure it using some natural remedies. You can use these natural homemade remedies for hot spots on dogs to soothe the wound and provide comfort to your dog.
#1 Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal is a great product to use if you want to soothe your dog’s itchy and dry skin. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help your dog’s skin moisturize. You can grind some plain and raw oatmeal using a coffee grinder or a food processor and make a fine powder. Then you can place a mat in the bathtub and fill it with warm water. Afterward, you can mix the powder in the water and place your dog in the bathtub or you can use puppy shampoos.
Massage your dog’s coat using the oatmeal bath for a few minutes. Please keep your dog in the bathtub for around 15 minutes and gently rinse him with plain water to remove the oatmeal chunks. Do this once every day for a few days for the best results.
#2 Tea packs
Tea bags are effective in drying out oozing sores due to their antibacterial properties. You can soak a tea bag, mainly black tea, in hot water and then let the water cool down. After the water is warm enough, you can place it against the affected area.
#3 Aloe vera gel
It knows aloe vera gel for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to soothe wounded skin. Aloe vera is a brilliant remedy to heal your dog’s hot spot. You can extract the gel from aloe vera or use a gel from a store and gently rub it into the affected area. You can repeat this twice or thrice a day for a few days to get effective results.
They know coconut oil for its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties and can quickly heal dry and wounded skin. You can clean the affected area and apply a few drops of natural coconut oil to the hot spot. Do this for a few days to get visible results.
When to Visit a Vet for Dog Hot Spots?
They can efficiently deal some hot spots with at home, but you need to find out if the hot site on your dog is acute or chronic. If hot spots frequently occur in your dog, you must visit a veterinarian before things get worse. If the hot spot appears badly affected and you see pus oozing out, you need to book an appointment with a vet. Your doctor may run a few tests to determine the leading cause of this problem and prescribe some medicines. Generally, the dog hot spot treatment lasts for around two to three weeks depending on how severe the issue is. If the hot spot is in its early stage, you can perform some hot spot dog home remedy and observe the dog hot spot healing stages. If the affected area does not heal within a few days, you must take your dog to a vet for further treatment.
Conclusion
Most hot spots can heal fastly if you take good care of your dog. However, in some cases, only a veterinarian can help. That is why you need to visit a vet if you notice a hot spot to prevent any problems later. You must also ensure to keep your dog well-groomed and clean to avoid this issue. Creating a happy and stress-free environment in your house is also essential to ensure your dog does not feel anxious and starts licking his body.