Your Monstera might be the only living thing looking forward to the summer humidity. Clammy weather is associated with everything from frizzy hair to sweat necklaces to disease-carrying mosquitoes. For dogs — whose seasonal allergies are likely already flaring up this spring just like yours — hot spots could soon also be of concern. Dogs and cats can suffer from hot spots anytime of the year, but some veterinarians have dubbed them “summer sores” because they’re more common in super-hot and sticky temperatures. Show
When a hot spot appears on your dog’s skin — one that’s red, flaky, and sometimes full of puss — you’ll want to know how to treat it ASAP. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to remedy the topical infections at home, as long as they aren’t too serious. First and foremost, though, you have to be able to spot them. Below, I’ll break down how to do just that — plus the different severities of hot spots on dogs, at-home treatments, and most importantly, when it’s time to seek professional help. What Are Hot Spots on Dogs?A hot spot, referred to by vets as moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis, is a common infection that happens when dogs chew, scratch, lick, and gnaw at themselves, causing the skin’s normal bacteria to take over. In the first stages of formation, the skin becomes moist, red, itchy, and infected. Pus begins to ooze from the traumatized skin as infection sets in. Then, dried pus and damaged skin will work to form a tightly-adhered crust, and you’ll likely notice hair loss over the infection site. The formation of moist dermatitis can be a very painful process, and frequently, dogs will show pain when the area is touched. Dogs are their own worst enemies when it comes to hot spots, which are generally created by their own overzealous self-licking and chewing. They can arise surprisingly quickly: a few minutes of “work” can create some serious self-inflicted trauma. The good news is that hot spots almost always look worse than they actually are and infection is usually superficial — often resolved by topical treatment alone. What Causes Hot Spots on Dogs?So, what causes dogs to begin chewing and licking in the first place? Good question. The answer is anything that creates irritation on the skin, causing the dog to chew or scratch at the site. Insect bites (fleas, flies), skin allergies, excess skin-surface moisture, dogs with heavy or dense coats, matted hair, saliva accumulation under the fur (read: the pet who’s always licking their feet), skin scrapes, or excessive humidity in the environment can all be sources for a hot spot to develop. They can even be caused by a dog’s good old-fashioned boredom. The location of the hot spots may help your veterinarian determine their underlying cause. For example, a hot spot over the hip area could indicate flea infestation, hip arthritis, or an anal gland infection. Similarly, a hot spot near an ear could indicate an ear problem, an allergy, or a dental or nerve irritation. Sudden scratching? Finicky food eater? Loose poop? Whatever pet health question is on your mind, our veterinary pros are here to help. How to Treat Your Dog’s Hot Spots at HomeIf the dog’s hot spot is small, non-painful, recognized early, and uncomplicated, it may be possible to begin treatment at home with over-the-counter products such as topical sprays, medicated shampoos, herbal therapies, and more. The important thing is to ensure that it’s a pet-safe product, in which case it never hurts to call your veterinarian for approval. Whatever you do, do not use human topical products, as they may be toxic to dogs when licked and ingested. For example, zinc oxide, which is often found in human skin ointments, can be toxic when ingested. Here are some at-home treatment basics:
Tips for Preventing Hot Spots on Dogs
When It’s Time to See a VetThe bad news is that about 30 percent of pets who develop hot spots actually have some other kind of skin disease such as a deeper skin infection, a bite wound, or even immune-mediated disease. If you have any concerns whatsoever, it’s best to have your veterinarian assess them. Veterinary intervention may also be needed when the hot spot becomes so big and painful that it requires sedation to properly clip and clean. Another potential concern is if a hot spot is accompanied by deeper skin infection, which would require more extensive therapy such as oral pain medications, oral anti-inflammatory medications, and oral antibiotics, in addition to topical treatments. The treatment your veterinarian chooses will depend on how bad the problem is, how much pain your dog is in, how long the problem has persisted, and if the problem is a recurring one. Some dogs may get one or two hot spots and then never get another one again (lucky them!), while others may have frequent recurrences.
You may be dealing with hot spots on dogs (or moist dermatitis) in your home and wondering what to do about it. You’ve come to the right place to learn more on the topic. After reviewing the following information you’ll have the tools and knowledge you need to further prevent, treat at home, and know when to seek out veterinary help for hot spots on dogs. While there are ways to treat it yourself at home without a vet, your first order of business will be being able to identify what a hot spot is and notice that it’s there. What are Hot Spots on Dogs? A hot spot is often referred to by vets as moist dermatitis or damp heat. It’s a superficial common skin infection that happens when normal skin bacteria overrun the skin’s defenses as a result of damage to its surface. At the beginning stages of it, you may notice the skin becomes moist, red, itchy, and infected. Common Causes of Dog Hot SpotsYou may also be wondering what causes hot spots on dogs. More times than not, the hot spot will come about due to the dog chewing, licking, scratching, and gnawing at itself. The result of trauma to the area is inflammation and secondary bacterial infections. A few common causes of dog hot spots are as follows:
Due to their thicker coats, some breeds such as Golden Retrievers, St. Bernards, German Shepherds, Labradors, and Rottweilers have a greater chance of developing hot spots. Signs & Symptoms of Moist DermatitisThe formation of moist dermatitis can be a very painful process for your pet. Pus will likely start to ooze from the traumatized skin as infection sets in. The dried pus and damaged skin surface will form a tightly adhered crust. You’re likely to notice hair loss over the infection site. Your dog will also probably show pain when the area is touched. While hot spots can occur anywhere, they’re most commonly seen on the head, limbs, and hips. Preventative Ways to Keep Your Dog from Having Hot SpotsThere are preventative ways to keep your dog from having hot spots so you can try to avoid this situation. Below are a few tips you may want to consider as you try to prevent them from occurring on your pet. Parasite preventionGood flea control is vital for keeping hot spots at bay and is the foundation for preventing itching. Increase daily exercise and playtimeKeep boredom to a minimum by making sure your dog gets walks and has plenty of toys to play with. Allergy and skin infection managementThe most important part of a hot spot treatment is to prevent continued irritation of the area. Insect bites can often be safely treated at home, so long as you keep a careful eye on your pet to ensure that complications, such as an allergic reaction, do not occur. Groom your dog regularly and dry your dog after the coat becomes wet from bathing or swimming. Monitor for foods that can cause hot spotsIn Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), foods can be used for their energetic properties to help treat a medical condition. To use foods in this manner, one must understand the TCVM diagnosis and the specific properties of foods that can be used to correct the energetic imbalance. Hot spots are classically considered in TCVM diagnosis as “Damp Heat”. These are moist, red, and inflamed skin lesions that are warm to the touch. Keep a healthy coat by introducing essential fatty acids into your pet’s diet. Foods and conditions that can lead to damp heat
To treat damp heat via TCVM food energetics, you can use an herbal formula and foods that have a cooling and damp draining effect. Food with cooling properties
Foods that are damp draining/resolving
Home Treatment for Hot Spots & When to Call the VetBe glad to know there are a couple of home treatment options for hot spots. However, you should also know when to call the vet. Trim around the infected areaYou will need to trim the area around the lesion with animal clippers. This will allow the infection to breathe and for the medicine to do its work. If you don’t have animal clippers handy, you can use electric clippers. You may need a muzzle or a friend to hold your dog’s head while you work. First, fill the wound with a water-soluble liquid. Cut the fur back around the wound until you have about a one-inch border. The height of the hair should be cut down to about half an inch. After you’ve finished trimming, rinse the area thoroughly with warm water. Cleanse the infected areaClean the infected hot spot area with a non-irritating solution, such as an antiseptic liquid soap, antiseptic spray or a mild soap, and warm water. Pat dry and allow it to dry completely before applying medication. You’ll also want to apply a warm compress three times daily to keep the area clean and encourage good circulation. Apply a soothing treatmentAfter the hot spot wound is clean, you can apply a soothing treatment. Avoid using anything with stinging or astringent properties on an open wound. For a natural approach, try raw aloe or apply a cool chamomile tea bag to the infected area. If you choose to use a cream or spray, make sure it’s pet-safe and veterinarian approved, like this hot spot spray for dogs by Great Life. Protect the hot spotTo heal properly, hot spots need to breathe so you don’t want to wrap or bandage the area. You do, however, need to protect the area from your dog. Yep, you got it…the cone of shame. You can purchase a recovery cone at your local pet store. Watch your dog closely and don’t allow your pet to lick, scratch, or itch the area while it’s healing. Not all hot spot cases are solvable at home depending on what the primary cause was. If you were to take your dog to the vet then the vet would likely treat the hot spot using a combination of oral antibiotics, anti-itch medication, and an e-collar, depending upon the severity of it. Additional medications may be necessary to treat the underlying cause (i.e. flea prevention, allergy medication, and ear medication) The Honest Kitchen Dog Foods with Cooling Property ProteinsYou may want to consider The Honest Kitchen Foods with cooling properties as one form of prevention to avoid having to deal with hot spots on your dog. Below are a few of the foods to add to your list:
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