

Once the underlying cause of your dog’s itching has been diagnosed, your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate treatment.
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They will perform a full physical examination on your dog, and may recommend additional testing such as a skin scrape to look for parasites. In order to treat the hot spot effectively and prevent it from recurring, your veterinarian will need to determine the underlying cause. While it may be tempting to wait for the hot spot to resolve on its own, delaying treatment will only make the problem worse. If you suspect your dog may have a hot spot, the first step is a visit to your veterinarian. Hot spots are painful and very itchy, and will rapidly grow as the dog’s scratching continues to traumatize the area. The affected area is moist and may discharge pus or fluid, which can lead to crusting and matting of the surrounding hair. They can occur anywhere, but are most commonly seen on the head, limbs, and hips. Hot spots are typically well-defined areas of redness, swelling, and hair loss. Many skin conditions have similar symptoms, so it is important to consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog. Dogs that are frequently wet from swimming, bathing, or inclement weather are more prone to developing hot spots due to the excess moisture held against the skin by their coats. Hot spots are also more likely to occur during warm weather and periods of high humidity. Bernards, German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Rottweilers are predisposed to developing hot spots due to their thicker coats. Some breeds such as Golden Retrievers, St. Identifying and addressing the underlying cause of your dog’s hot spot is one of the most important factors in preventing future skin problems. Many of these conditions are chronic problems that can lead to recurring hot spots if they are not appropriately managed. Moisture trapped in the coat from swimming or bathing.Stress or boredom resulting in excessive licking.Common causes of the itching/scratching cycle in dogs include: Thus, any condition that causes your dog to feel itchy has the potential to result in a hot spot. Unfortunately, this self-trauma only makes the area itchier, which causes a self-perpetuating cycle of itching and scratching. The resulting trauma to the skin causes inflammation and secondary bacterial infections. Hot spots are often triggered by scratching, licking, or chewing the affected area. Unlike an insect bite, a hot spot will rapidly worsen and spread, developing into a hot, red, oozing, and painful lesion. Often a hot spot will begin as a small red area that owners may mistake for an insect bite. What Are Hot Spots?Īlso known as acute moist dermatitis, hot spots are localized areas of skin inflammation and bacterial infection. While they are frustrating to deal with, hot spots can be treated and even prevented with the right management. These painful, oozing sores can appear seemingly out of nowhere and often spread rapidly. Hot spots are one of the most common skin conditions in dogs, particularly in the summer months.
