Dealing with Dog Hot Spots

Among the painful skin problems your pet can have are dog hot spots. They are different from allergies because they often come with a pus and smell horribly. These hot spots tends to progress easily because they get terribly irritated when your dog licks on them to try to soothe themselves from both the pain and itch.

Yes, dog hot spots do not just come in ones or two’s. They can appear on more than one area and the result can really be very hard for your pet dog. They can be found beneath the ears’ flaps and they are also common among large breeds who exhibit thick furs.

There are different reasons as to why these dog hot spots tend to appear. For one, they are commonly seen among dogs that belong to large and hairy breeds. The hot spots appear on areas with too much moisture that gets to mix with humidity. Improper hygiene can also lead to the development of these spots.

Because of the pain it causes and the quick way it can erupt, hot spots needed special medical attention immediately. Dogs are often sedated prior to treatment so that medication could be facilitated much better. The surrounding hair around the area would be clipped off by the veterinarian so that the hot spots would become more visible and easier to treat.

After this, the hair surrounding the area would already be clipped off. Then the cleansing would begin with the application of shampoo on the affected skin. Afterwards, the area would be completely dried off first before the vet would apply the antibiotics in either powder or cream form. This procedure would be repeated within two weeks’ time.

On top of this topical medication, the vet might also ask you to have other types of medications done as well such as oral meds. These would only be done for a short period of time just enough to help your dog feel less itching as the hot spots start to heal. An Elizabethan collar would also be prescribed to protect the area.

Though it can be painful to have, dog hot spots can be avoided. The easiest way to do so is to make sure that your dog gets dried up completely after having a bath or taking a leisurely swim to cool off. Trapped moisture can be the early beginnings of a hot spot.

In addition to this, you should also consider getting some cleanup done inside your home. Take special care of the places where you dog frequently stays. Make sure that you vacuum it and keep it spic and span. Do your best to prevent any part of the home from becoming a breeding ground for mites and fleas which are also known to cause these unwanted dog hot spots.