Dog owners might overlook a problem with their pet’s skin. Spotting problems present a challenge when the area of concern is hidden by fur or located in the folds of the skin. Nevertheless, owners notice when their companion suddenly starts paying more attention to a particular area of the body. They may like, bite, or scratch this area repeatedly, attracting the attention of their owner in the process.
What Is a Hot Spot?
When the pet parent investigates the dog’s behavior, they may find their canine has a hot spot. In fact, hot spots for dogs remain common. Vets refer to this skin condition as acute moist dermatitis. However, the dog doesn’t care what its name is. They want relief from the irritation, and owners need to recognize this. If the hot spot isn’t treated, the dog will continue trying to obtain relief and their actions could lead to serious complications.
Acute moist dermatitis is actually a type of dog allergy. Fortunately, owners can treat this common condition at home. Once a hotspot has been identified and treated, it heals quickly, so the dog can enjoy life fully once again. How should a pet owner treat hot spots in the comfort of their own home?
The Dangers of Hot Spots
A hot spot is a bacterial infection that affects a particular area of the dog’s body. The skin inflammation may appear anywhere on a dog’s body. However, they show up most frequently on parts of the body the dog can easily reach, such as the feet and legs. Why do they develop?
When something irritates the dog’s skin, like a bug bite or irritant, the dog might begin licking or biting that portion of the skin. This spot often starts as a small red area that looks like an insect bite. However, when the dog licks and bites the skin it may break. Once it does, moisture makes its way into the fur. This action creates the ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
The bacteria thrive and further irritate the skin. The added irritation brings about more grooming from the dog, leading to a vicious cycle that must be halted in its tracks. If the owner doesn’t intervene, the skin will become raw and infected. Owners often notice the problem when they discover the hair in the area is gone. The spot might also ooze pus.
Hot spots are dangerous, as the infection may spread if left untreated. Furthermore, the hot spots are painful for the dog. Sadly, they can make their way deep into the skin without treatment. For this reason, dog owners need to act quickly if they suspect their dog has one or more hot spots.
Preventing Hot Spots
Owners must know how to prevent hot spots. A hot spot develops as a result of an allergy. The owner must consider food allergies when trying to determine what is leading to the irritation. The pet may need a specialized diet to balance its gut and decrease the dog’s sensitivity.
Vets recommend removing processed food from the dog’s diet. This type of food comes high in starch. It also contains low-quality proteins and fats which may bring about an allergic reaction.
Consider moving the dog to a raw diet packed with nutrients, healthy fats, and herbs. The change to this diet often brings the inflammation under control and stops the release of histamines that are responsible for the itching that frustrates the dog.
Furthermore, consider supplementing the diet with a probiotic and prebiotic. Probotics are good bacteria that help enhance immunity and digestion. They work to reduce the animal’s reaction to allergens and irritants by reducing bad bacteria in the gut.
Removing the allergens removes the itching. The dog stops scratching and biting. As a result, hot spots become a thing of the past.
Treating Hot Spots at Home
Pet owners want to know how to treat hot spots at home. Act quickly to provide the dog with relief and allow the affected area to heal. The focus needs to be on stopping the infection, preventing the dog from biting and licking the area, and allowing the skin to heal.
Begin by trimming the hair around the hot spot. Doing so allows for more air to the irritated skin and prevents additional moisture from becoming trapped in the fur and contributing to the problem. Take care when trimming the fur because the dog is already in pain.
Clean the area thoroughly. Remove any pus or crust from the hot spot using water and a mild soap or antiseptic. After washing the spot, apply a cool compress to the area. This may reduce inflammation. Upon removing the compress, gently pat the area dry.
Apply an antibacterial product to the skin. Ask the vet if a specialized product is needed for your pet. These products not only stop bacterial infections but also encourage healing of the skin tissue.
Never cover the hot spot. It needs air to stop moisture from accumulating in the fur and making the infection worse. If the dog continues to lick and bite the area, purchase a plastic cone to give the area time to heal.
Use the hot spot treatment as directed. In many cases, the owner must apply the treatment several times a day. Monitor the hot spot for a few days to ensure it is healing as expected. If it doesn’t get better, contact the vet to determine the next steps.
When Does the Vet Need to Be Seen?
If the hot spot isn’t healing, the vet may wish to see the dog. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment for your companion if the hot spot gets worse or the dog starts showing other signs of illness. These signs may include vomiting, weight loss, fever, or lethargy and could mean the infection is more severe than originally thought. The vet might need to provide stronger medications to eliminate the infection and allow the area to heal.
Don’t expect the hot spot to heal overnight. It could take a few weeks for the infection to be eliminated and the skin to recover. The fur could take longer to grow back. Nevertheless, with quick action on the part of the dog owner, hot spots typically heal with few complications. The dog will be healthy and happy once again in very little time.
