Hot Spots
What Are Hot Spots?
"Hot Spots" are areas of pyoderma or skin infection in dogs and cats and often look like an extremely red, inflamed area of skin accompanied by localized hair loss. They can have a wet appearance to them. These lesions can appear suddenly, and grow rapidly. This moist, raw skin disorder has a variety of causes but the most consistent factor is bacteria. Anything that irritates or breaks the skin can create the environment for bacterial contamination if the skin surface has just a bit of moisture on it.
How Does My Dog Get Hot Spots?
A hot spot starts because something irritates the dog's skin. The body's response is to either itch or create an inflammatory response at the site. In cases of itching, the dog then rubs, licks or chews the site and adds to the problem. These sores can develop into severe problems in an hour or two at times.
The most common irritants are probably fleas and allergies. These cause the itching that leads to the skin infection. There are many other possible sources of irritation. Tick bites, bee stings, burrs, mats, mosquitos, summer heat and other problems all contribute to the initial irritation that can develop into a hot spot.
Treatment: Shaving of the affected area.
1. Shaving is followed by flushing the surface of the affected skin with an antiseptic solution:
2. Bathing the pet with and antiseptic shampoo is next:
3. Bathing can be followed by a topical anti-inflammatory spray applied on the hot spot once or twice daily:
4. Follow up with an anti-parasitic shampoo:
Prevention: Prevention is accomplished with regular bathing and continued flea and tick prevention. Flea and tick prevention can be accomplished with Advantage, Frontline, and KILTIX, all of wich we carry.
