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Dog Hot Spots
Dog hot spots are localized skin infection and inflammation that usually occurs in warm weather.
Hot spots are circular patches on the dog's skin which cause intense itching, resulting in non-stop, violent scratching by the dog. That in turn causes hair loss, and the patches will become bright red, sometimes swollen. Once the skin is damaged, bacteria can move in and spread among the hair follicles - bacterial infection can happen very quickly. When badly infected, the sore may turn greenish and a smelly pus may ooze. This can be painfully itchy, causing the dog to continue scratching, licking, and biting - sometimes until it bleeds. Hot spots are not life-threatening though they look nasty. However, they can spread quickly - often in a matter of hours. Also, because of the intense irritating itch, hot spots may turn even a mild-tempered, friendly dog into a short-tempered, growling beast. Causes of Hot Spots in DogsThere are numerous possible causes but the common ones are:
Symptoms of Hot Spots
The most common locations for hot spots are the legs and feet, flanks, and rump. Preventing & Controlling Hot SpotsFlea ControlAs one of the common causes of dog hot spots is flea infestation, we can prevent hot spots (or at least reduce the chance of our dogs getting hot spots) by flea control. Visit our page on Natural Flea Control to see how we can use safe and natural products to control fleas. Preventing Formation of Hair Mats Hair mats that lie against the skin are great hide-outs for fleas and ticks. It is not easy to remove hair mats because they lie very close to the skin, so it is important to prevent them from forming in the first place. Brush your dog regularly, preferably once a day. Regular brushing can also help the skin breathe, making it harder for bacterial infections to start. Stop the Licking It is natural for dogs to lick themselves when they feel itchy or pain. However, excessive licking makes hot spots difficult to heal. If your dog cannot stop licking his wounds, try to distract him by taking him out for a walk, or giving him a treat when he stops licking on your command. If all else fails, put an Elizabeth collar on him to deter him from licking. Natural Hot Spots RemediesHerbs and other natural remedies are generally effective in treating hot spots, especially if applied at the onset of the skin problem. However, if the hot spot does not begin to heal within a few days after home treatment, or if the hot spot is extremely painful for your dog, take him to a veterinarian immediately.For information about natural herbal remedies for hot spots, please visit our page on natural hot spots remedies for dogs.
References D. Hamilton, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs (North Atlantic Books, 1999).
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