Did you recently notice a bruise-like patch on your canine that compels them to scratch nonstop? Those are hot spots. If you are unfamiliar with the term, let us explain that these are also known as acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis, a common yet frustrating condition in dogs. They often develop overnight and appear quite rapidly on your dog’s body. These spots are very itchy and painful, causing significant distress for both you and your pet. There is a list of causes, effective treatment methods, and prevention strategies that you, as a responsible dog parent, will need to understand.
Therefore, you have come to the right blog, as we will discuss all the necessary details regarding what causes these lesions, the various ways to treat them, and techniques for prevention to ensure your dog’s future well-being as well.
What Are Hot Spots?
We know several questions regarding hot spots would be crossing your mind as to what it is. So, it is a localized area of deep, self-inflicted trauma to the skin. It begins with an already present irritation or itchiness, forcing your furry fellow to scratch, chew, or lick the specific area to offer itself some temporary relief. The hot spots damage your canine’s protective skin shield, creating a warm and moist environment, ideal for the overgrowth of bacteria. What is that bacteria? It is known as Staphylococcus, whose species are usually held responsible for triggering the swelling and itching, resulting in a brutal series of infections, self-trauma, and infection.
Hot spots tend to progress quickly, and that is what makes them the hallmark of the condition. The thing that caused little irritation can change into a large, red, painful lesion in no time. This is also why it is necessary to recognize it and take measures to stop the growth in the early stages only.
What Are The Common Causes Of Hot Spots?
As a loving dog parent, you will be curious to know about the common causes behind the growth of these painful lesions. So, first of all, they say that self-trauma is the immediate trigger for a hot spot, but still, a variety of causes lead to constant itching or irritation. You need to learn about it for more effective treatment and prevention. What are those factors? Let’s unveil:
Allergies
The number one cause of hot spots is different kinds of allergies, which are as follows:
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Flea Allergy Dermatitis is considered the most common cause for hot spots in dogs. The reason is that even if a single flea bites your dog, it can lead to immense itching, especially if your dog is on the list of flea-sensitive dogs. The hot spots are likely to develop near the tail base or hindquarters.
Environmental Allergies
Next in line are environmental allergies. Here, allergens such as dust mites, mold spores, pollen, and grasses tend to cause a lot of itching and inflammation, opening the ground for the development of several hot spots, and due to this, you might witness these lesions on multiple parts of their body.
Food Allergies
You might have a habit of feeding your dog whatever you eat, but be careful because certain food ingredients can also cause allergic reactions, appearing as skin problems such as itching, with an increased chance of hot spots. In this situation, common food allergens are beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, and soy. Therefore, if you have given a meal consisting of any of these ingredients, then this might be the cause of your dog’s frequent itching and irritation.
Contact Allergies
Contact allergies are not that common but are still in the category of causes. This kind of allergy is caused by contact with particular substances, such as harsh shampoos, cleaning products, or even a few types of bedding that can irritate your dog’s skin, eventually leading to self-trauma. Therefore, if you had given your dog a shower with shampoo containing dangerous chemicals, that might have reacted with your dog’s skin. Or, the bedding material wouldn't have suited its skin.
Parasites
After allergies, parasites secure the second position when it comes to the causes of hot spots in your dog. How? Let’s shed light:
Fleas
Fleas, which we mentioned earlier, are a major cause. Even a single bite can significantly damage their skin’s protective layer.
Ticks
Parasites in the shape of ticks can cause irritation and itching, resulting in hot spots.
Mites
Then, a variety of mites, like scabies or ear mites, can cause intense scratching on your dog’s head and ears. You might witness your dog’s paw going to his head and ears to give themselves some comfort.
Lice
Even if you take the best care of your dog, lice can still breed on your dog’s skin. Although it is not that common, lice infestations are a possibility and can result in skin irritation. Hence, check your dog’s skin to see if there are parasites.
Trauma and Skin Irritation
You might be wondering how trauma and skin irritation cause hot spots. Well, they are in the following ways:
Matted Fur
Dogs' matted hair traps moisture and debris against the skin. This moisture serves as the perfect breeding ground for the growth of bacteria and causes irritation that compels your dog to lick and chew. This is a common sight in dogs that have long hair or thick breeds with thick coats. Hence, if your dog has long hair or a naturally thick coat, then chances are that their fur has captured moisture, further leading to these lesions.
Retains Moisture
Many times, some areas of your dog remain damp. This usually happens when you have showered them or they come after a good swim. So, if you fail to dry them properly, then yes, even that can make your dog’s skin prone to hot spots, and you will usually see them scratching themselves.
Superficial Wounds or Abrasions
Was your dog part of an accident, or did it get injured outdoors or indoors? If yes, then you have another cause of a hot spot. No matter how small or minor the wound is, you will see your dog constantly itching or licking it, prompting self-trauma. Therefore, look into the matter.
Foreign Bodies
Foreign bodies also play a crucial role in hot spots. How? The reason is that your dog spends time outdoors, where splinters, thorns, and other foreign objects are present; these usually cause pricks, and embedding only results in localized irritation. Therefore, clear your garden to ensure there are minimal thorns and splinters, such as broken pieces of wood and glass, to provide some relief to your furry friend.
Basic Medical Conditions
Apart from fleas, parasitic invasion, and traumatic issues, even basic medical conditions can be the cause of hot spot growth. Those are as follows:
Anal Sac Issues
Does your dog have impacted or infected anal sacs? If yes, then this medical condition is considered another common cause for itching and discomfort. Your dog will excessively lick the base of its tail, resulting in self-trauma and the appearance of a hot spot in that specific area. Therefore, stay vigilant on your end.
Arthritis or Pain
If your dog suffers from genetic arthritis or chronic pain, you may often see them licking or chewing the affected area. They do this frequently as a way to soothe themselves, which can inadvertently create a hot spot. Therefore, situations can become challenging for both you and your dog.
Neurological Issues
Neurological issues are rare but another cause for hot spots in your dogs. An irritation in their nerves can result in localized itching. Therefore, if you don’t find any solid external issues, then it's probably internal in the shape of a neurological issue, where a nerve might be bothering your poor fellow, making them scratch to provide some comfort.
Behavioural Factors
Your dog’s behaviour also invites the growth of hot spots. Sounds weird, but it is true. Do you want to learn how? Let’s spill the beans:
Stress and Anxiety
Like humans, dogs experience stress and anxiety. This happens especially when they see you going away or you take them to an unfamiliar place. According to the Blue Cross Organization, the most common causes of hot spots on dogs are itching, scratching, or licking way too much in one particular area. Their licking and scratching are a coping mechanism to relax themselves, forming hot spots.
How Are Hot Spots Treated?
The good news is that hot spots can be treated in various ways, and all of them share a mutual goal: to reduce your dog’s discomfort, end the self-trauma, treat secondary infections, and promote the healing of the skin. What are the techniques that your vet can advise you on? Let’s take a detailed look:
Ending Self-Trauma
To keep self-trauma from happening in the future as well, you can try making the most out of the following ideas:
Elizabethan Collar
You might have seen dogs wearing collars in movies. Well, this is known as an Elizabethan collar, along with other names like E-Collar or “Cone of Shame. " Believe it or not, this collar is considered the most critical step in treating hot spots. Why? Because it acts as a barrier to prevent your dog from reaching their hot spots, allowing the skin to heal without your dog’s itching and scratching. Keep in mind that the collar should be worn regularly and consistently, regardless of your supervision. This way, the lesion will be able to heal quickly, providing your dog with much-needed comfort.
Bandaging
If not the Elizabethan collar, a bandage can also fulfil the same purpose. You can use the medical strip to protect the hot spot, especially if the lesion has grown in a difficult-to-reach area. But you need to apply it correctly in a way that covers the affected region and changes it daily, or else it will capture moisture, causing the infection to get worse.
Clip The Hair
Your vet may ask you to clip your dog’s hair around the hot spot. Clipping becomes necessary, as only you can clean the affected part with medications and dampen that area. Furthermore, it even assists you in improving airflow to the area, preventing your dog’s matted hair from trapping debris and moisture. Kindly make sure you do it gently, or else you might end up irritating the lesion. And you won’t like to see your dog in such a miserable state.
Clean The Affected Area
You need to clean the affected area. This means that you need to remove debris so that the bacteria don't get any sort of room to multiply. Here, your vet may prescribe particular antiseptic solutions like chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine, diluted appropriately. Even when cleaning the affected area, please avoid harsh soaps or irritating solutions.
Topical Medications
Besides, your vet might recommend some topical medications for your dog’s healing. What are those medicines? Let’s reveal:
Corticosteroids
If your dog’s skin has become inflamed a lot, then your vet will ask you to purchase topical steroid creams or sprays that decrease swelling and itching to a great extent. However, you need to use them under your vet’s supervision and guidance. Otherwise, using them as a long-term solution incorrectly can result in drastic side effects. Therefore, do as your vet says.
Antibiotics
After a thorough examination, if your vet detects a secondary bacterial infection, they may recommend a topical antibiotic cream or ointment for the affected area. Additionally, be sure to follow your vet's instructions regarding the application schedule for the medication.
Antiseptic and Drying Agents
Your vet may also ask you to get antiseptics and drying agents as part of the medication because some of these topical solutions are made with a combination of antiseptic properties with agents that help the medicine to dry as soon as you apply it. In this way, neither moisture nor bacteria gets room for breeding further.
How To Prevent Hot Spots In Your Dogs?
If you don’t want to see your dog undergoing the same level of misery, then as a dedicated dog owner, you need to address the root causes that result in your pet’s frequent scratching, licking, or moisture collection on their skin. How to tackle the situation? In the following ways:
Prevention Of Parasites
Since we discussed that parasites are one of the common causes of hot spots, you need to address the issue in this manner:
Flea and Tick Control
Your vet might have asked you to get a veterinarian-recommended, year-round flea and tick prevention option; hence, get that as soon as possible. Otherwise, your dog will always be prone to parasitic infections, and now you know that one bite also causes discomfort.
Mite Control
If mites bother your dog’s ears and head, don’t waste time and immediately consult your vet for appropriate treatment. Kindly avoid taking matters into your own hands, as that might bring new problems.
Managing The Allergies
You must learn to manage the allergies:
Identify Allergens
Cooperate with your vet to understand which kind of allergy is causing these painful lesions on your dog's body. It can be food or environmental allergies from pollen, dust mites, and mold. Your vet might suggest that you incorporate elimination diets or allergy testing to know what is troubling your furry friend.
Avoid Allergens
Once you have your answer, remove them from your house. For instance, if it is a dust or pollen allergy, limit their outdoor time. Create a comfortable indoor environment so that they start enjoying that.
Hypoallergenic Diet
If the food is the culprit, then the vet will ask you to prepare a hypoallergenic diet for them. Therefore, be ready to get everything required to make their meals, keeping the doctor’s instructions in mind.
Medications
Your family vet might recommend you get antihistamines, corticosteroids, or other medications to manage allergic reactions and reduce itching. Therefore, note them and grab them from the clinic’s pharmacy or any other store selling authentic pet medicines.
Pet Grooming
We mentioned above as well that if your dog has long hair or a thick coat, then that traps moisture and debris, so yes, you are required to do their regular grooming as well:
Regular Brushing
Sit down with your dog and brush them more than once or twice weekly. The brushing will remove dirt, debris, and loose fur. Furthermore, their fur will not allow moisture to collect and irritate the skin.
Conclusion
We hope you are feeling relatively relaxed, knowing that hot spots can be treated, and you should follow your vet’s instructions as outlined in the prescription. Then, the disappearance of hot spots on your dog’s skin will surprise you.
