Prevention, Treatment, Diagnosis and Symptoms of Hot Spots in Dogs
Posted by | Posted on 12:12 AM
What exactly is a Hot Spot?
The simplest definition of a hot spot is a large area of the skin that has retained too much moisture, leading to infection. Commonly, dogs who swim a lot, have long, thick coats and those that reside in moist, humid environments tend to be more susceptible to these skin irritations. In addition, flea and bug bites can bring on the onset of hot spots as well. These spots occur when an area of the skin has retained too much moisture which then allows bacteria to grow. This bacteria changes the environment of the skin and creates inflammation and itchiness. As a result, a dog will seek relief by chewing, biting and licking the area. This action further irritates the area and allows the bacteria to spread making this a vicious cycle. Amazingly, a hot spot can appear in a matter of only twenty to thirty minutes. As stated earlier, flea and bug bites can be culprits of hot spots as well.
Hot Spots - The Symptoms
These spots are very easy to identify. They are large areas of the skin that are red, inflamed, hairless and sometimes oozing or scabbed over. Most commonly these spots are found on the rear legs and neck but can appear on other areas of the body as well. This are will be so irritating that a dog will not be able to stop licking, chewing, biting and scratching at it. This can make the area very painful to touch.
The Diagnosing of Hot Spots
Diagnosis of a hot spot is very easy and is usually made just with a visual inspection or physical examination.
If several hot spots are present, a visit to your veterinarian may be needed for testing. These include:
Skin scrapings to rule out mange
Fungal Culture - This test is used to eliminate Ringworm as a cause.
Blood Tests - These are used to rule or seasonal or inhalant allergies.
Blood or skin tests to identify flea allergies
Invasive treatment for fleas even if none are present.
Food Testing - This is performed in order to rule out an allergic reaction to food.
Dog Hot Spot Treatment
The important things to remember when implementing treatment are:
Ease Itching
Cure the Infection
Prevent the dog from biting or scratching the area
Keep the hot spot dry
The hair around the area must be clipped and the skin cleaned with an antibacterial soap and dried thoroughly. Sometimes the hot spot can be so severe that this procedure is painful and the dog must be sedated.
A topical and oral antibiotic are the most common treatments. Each one contains a corticosteroid to stop inflammation and itching. By using these medications, your dog is more comfortable thus ending the itch, chew, infection cycle and speeding the healing process.
An Elizabethan or lamp shade like collar may be needed if your dog can not stop licking the area. These are generally only needed for 24 hours. In about one week's time, the hot spot will usually be completely healed.
Preventing Hot Spots
There are many things you can do to prevent hot spots. They include:
Using top flea control on your dog and the surrounding environment
Trim long hair and thick haired breeds during the summer months
If you can, prevent your dog from swimming
If your dog does partake in a swim, be sure to dry them thoroughly
The simplest definition of a hot spot is a large area of the skin that has retained too much moisture, leading to infection. Commonly, dogs who swim a lot, have long, thick coats and those that reside in moist, humid environments tend to be more susceptible to these skin irritations. In addition, flea and bug bites can bring on the onset of hot spots as well. These spots occur when an area of the skin has retained too much moisture which then allows bacteria to grow. This bacteria changes the environment of the skin and creates inflammation and itchiness. As a result, a dog will seek relief by chewing, biting and licking the area. This action further irritates the area and allows the bacteria to spread making this a vicious cycle. Amazingly, a hot spot can appear in a matter of only twenty to thirty minutes. As stated earlier, flea and bug bites can be culprits of hot spots as well.
Hot Spots - The Symptoms
These spots are very easy to identify. They are large areas of the skin that are red, inflamed, hairless and sometimes oozing or scabbed over. Most commonly these spots are found on the rear legs and neck but can appear on other areas of the body as well. This are will be so irritating that a dog will not be able to stop licking, chewing, biting and scratching at it. This can make the area very painful to touch.
The Diagnosing of Hot Spots
Diagnosis of a hot spot is very easy and is usually made just with a visual inspection or physical examination.
If several hot spots are present, a visit to your veterinarian may be needed for testing. These include:
Skin scrapings to rule out mange
Fungal Culture - This test is used to eliminate Ringworm as a cause.
Blood Tests - These are used to rule or seasonal or inhalant allergies.
Blood or skin tests to identify flea allergies
Invasive treatment for fleas even if none are present.
Food Testing - This is performed in order to rule out an allergic reaction to food.
Dog Hot Spot Treatment
The important things to remember when implementing treatment are:
Ease Itching
Cure the Infection
Prevent the dog from biting or scratching the area
Keep the hot spot dry
The hair around the area must be clipped and the skin cleaned with an antibacterial soap and dried thoroughly. Sometimes the hot spot can be so severe that this procedure is painful and the dog must be sedated.
A topical and oral antibiotic are the most common treatments. Each one contains a corticosteroid to stop inflammation and itching. By using these medications, your dog is more comfortable thus ending the itch, chew, infection cycle and speeding the healing process.
An Elizabethan or lamp shade like collar may be needed if your dog can not stop licking the area. These are generally only needed for 24 hours. In about one week's time, the hot spot will usually be completely healed.
Preventing Hot Spots
There are many things you can do to prevent hot spots. They include:
Using top flea control on your dog and the surrounding environment
Trim long hair and thick haired breeds during the summer months
If you can, prevent your dog from swimming
If your dog does partake in a swim, be sure to dry them thoroughly
About the Author:
Heather Fox is a an experience veterinarian who writes and shares her knowledge with others. She is a featured writer on Clivir.com where she shared more information about Dog Illness Diagnosis and Dog Hot Spots Treatment.
Comments (0)
Post a Comment