Help: My Dog Has Hot Spots
Hot spots are one of the most common types of skin conditions that a vet deals with on a regular basis. Often they are referred to as Moist Eczema, pyotraumatic dermatitis or Acral Lick Dermatitis and the root cause is usually a bacterial infection specifically from Staphylococcus intermedius. However, this condition only occurs after a dog has already begun to compulsively scratch one or more areas of the body. Often the cause of this type of scratching is a seasonal allergy, flea allergy, dietary deficiency, exposure to a topical irritant, fungal infection or any type of parasite on the skin. These hot spots can develop over a few days or show up in less than 24 hours. Hair loss is common combined with red, irritated and oozing looking sores on the lower part of the dog.
Long haired dogs and those breeds with the thick double coats are at greatest risk for developing both the primary conditions listed above as well as the subsequent hot spots. As the dog scratches and licks to relieve the pain or discomfort from the first problem the skin begins to weep and seep. This creates a moist, open lesion that is surrounded by dry, scabby, crusty material that mats the hair, trapping the moisture and creating the perfect environment for the bacteria to spread. This can lead to the damage going beyond the skin’s surface to cause what is know as a deep hot spot. These are most commonly associated with hair loss and more significant irritation to the dog.
We recommend a full evaluation of the dog’s current health status to try to determine the root cause of the skin irritation. If this can be determined then future issues with hot spots can often be prevented or greatly reduced. For the existing hot spots the treatment varies on the severity and number of affected areas of the body. For most dogs all that is required is a medicated cleansing of the affected area which means clipping the coat around the hot spot and treating the lesion
A medicated wash is used to clean the area and your vet will prescribe an oral antibiotic or treat in the clinic with an antibiotic injection. When the dog is licking obsessively an Elizabethan collar may be required to prevent access to the irritated skin and to prevent further skin damage.