In the simplest of terms, a hot spot is an area of skin that has an infection. Typically, dogs with thick, long coats, dogs who swim and dogs who live in moist, humid environments are the most likely to have these localized skin surface infections. In addition, flea or bug bites can bring on these infections as well. Initially, these hot spots occur when an excess amount of moisture remains on the skin changing the environment of the skin and allowing bacteria to be present and grow. The bacteria release toxins which then inflame the skin and cause it to be itchy. As a result the dog will chew, bite and lick the area searching for relief. This action unfortunately causes the infection to get worse. This becomes a vicious cycle that can enlarge the spot quickly. It is amazing to note that these spots can appear quickly, usually within twenty to thirty minutes. As mentioned earlier, flea and bug bites can initiate this process as well.
Dog Hot Spot Symptoms - What to Look for at Home
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.
Dog Hot Spot Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a hot spot is very easy and is usually made just with a visual inspection or physical examination.
If your dog has several hot spots, a visit to your veterinarian may need for testing. These include:
Skin Scraping - This test will rule out other possibilities such as mange.
Fungal cultures to rule out ringworm
Blood or skin tests to identify seasonal or inhalant allergies Dog
Blood or skin tests to identify flea allergies
Aggressive treatment for fleas even if none are seen
Food Testing - This is performed in order to rule out an allergic reaction to food.
Treatment of Hot Spots
The most important things to address when treating a hot spot are:
Stop the itching
Remove the Infection
Prevent the dog from biting or scratching the area
Keep the hot spot dry
All hair left on the area as well as that surrounding the area must be clipped. Then the spot must be cleaned with antibacterial soap and dried thoroughly. Oftentimes, these spots are so severe that this procedure is very painful. In these cases, 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.
If the dog continues to lick the spot, an Elizabethan collar (E-collar or lampshade type collar) can be used for a short period of time. Most dogs are much more comfortable within 24 hours and the hot spot will usually heal in one week.
Methods to Prevent Hot Spots
To prevent hot spots, several things can be done:
Use effective flea control on a dog and in the environment
Trim long hair and thick haired breeds during the summer months
If possible, prevent a dog from swimming
If your dog does partake in a swim, be sure to dry them thoroughly
Heather Fox is an established writer and veterinarian who loves to share her knowledge about Dog Hot Spots Prevention with others. She has more lessons including Dog Pyometra Causes on Clivir.com.
Get all the information and photos:: http://coringa.info/pets/prevention-treatment-diagnosis-and-symptoms-of-hot-spots-in-dogs
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