Hot Spots On Dogs: Causes and Treatment
What Are Hot Spots?
The Scientific Term For Hot Spots Is Acute Moist Dermatitis. While Not Serious, These Hot, Red, Oozing Lesions Can Arise In Just A Few Hours, And Hot Spots Can Cause Your Dog A Considerable Amount Of Discomfort.
What Causes Dog Hot Spots?
Anything That Irritates The Skin Or Makes A Dog Itchy Can Trigger The Process That Leads To Hot Spots, Including:
Fleas, Ticks And Other External Parasites
Mosquito Bites
Small Wounds
Ear Or Skin Infections
Matted Fur
Chronically Dirty Or Damp Skin
Anal Gland Imp actions
Contact With Skin Irritants
Foreign Material Within Or Under The Skin
Allergies
Some Dogs Will Also Lick Or Chew At Their Skin Because They Are Bored, Anxious Or An Underlying Body Part Is Painful (E.G., Arthritis).
Whatever The Trigger, Excessive Scratching, Licking And Chewing Traumatizes The Skin And Lessen Its Natural Resistance To Infection. Bacteria May Begin To Proliferate At The Site And Inflammation Increases, Leading To A Greater Desire To Lick, Chew And Scratch. Because Of This, Hot Spots Can Get Worse Very Quickly. In Just A Few Hours, Your Dog May Go From Normal To Having A Large Hot Spot
How To Treat Hot Spots On Dogs:
There Are Three Major Treatments For Hot Spots On Dogs:
The First Is To Clean The Infected Area. The Fur Around The Hot Spot Will Get Shaved And The Skin Disinfected. Hot Spots On Dogs Can Be Intensely Painful, And Many Dogs Will Need Pain Relief Or Sedation To Treat.
After Cleaning, Anti-Inflammatory Medications To Ease The Itching Are Often Administered. These May Be Inject able Drugs, Oral Or Topical Medications Or A Combination.
Antibiotics Are Usually Needed To Combat Secondary Bacterial Infections. Most Regimens Offer Immediate Alleviation And Are Given For One To Two Weeks. Severe Cases Or Recurrent Hot Spots On Dogs May Require Extended Treatment Or Additional Diagnostic Tests..
