Nov2011_OLD MILL VET on Summer Skin Woes
– Hot SpotsWhat are Hot Spots?
In warm weather, one of the things veterinarians can count on is seeing more dogs with hot spots.
These are areas of skin that are weepy, wet, red and sore, and you may notice your dog licking intently at these areas of skin. They can cover large expanses of the dog’s skin, can appear as solitary lesions or in multiple locations, and usually are found around the face and neck, or around the tail base. The good news is that they almost always look worse than they are. The infection is actually quite superficial and often will resolve with antibiotics and topical treatment. The bad news is that about 30% of the pets presented for hot spots actually have some other kind of skin disease such as a deeper skin infection, bite wound or other trauma, or even immune-mediated ulceration. If you aren’t entirely sure about what a hot spot looks like, it is probably best to have the veterinarian look at it.
What Causes Hot Spots?
They are caused by a combination of a bacterial infection, hot and humid weather and over-zealous self-licking and chewing and they can arise quickly: 10 minutes of chewing can create a big one. The dog may have an allergy, an insect bite, fleas, or may have come in contact with an irritating substance, to initiate the licking and the bacterial infection. Anything that makes the dog itch will make the dog lick and chew, and if the licking and chewing is obsessive enough, a hot spot will soon follow.
Treatment
The basics of hot spot treatment are:
Keep the dog from licking the area.
Promote drying of the moist skin.
Alleviate the itching that started the whole thing in the first place.
Control the bacterial infection.
The important thing is to be aware that these areas are tender and the pet may bite if you attempt to put something on the area that stings. Also, be careful about using human topical products as these may be toxic to pets when licked and ingested. Zinc oxide, for example, can be toxic when ingested and it is a common carrier in many human skin ointments.
When to See the Veterinarian
If the hot spot is large, or your dog seems sore and bothered by it, you should seek veterinary attention to get the hot spot treated properly, as they can enlarge quite quickly. Sometimes a hot spot also requires clipping to dry it properly. Sometimes a hot spot is also accompanied by deeper skin infection elsewhere or an ear infection, either of which would require more extensive therapy.
Good flea control is important for any itchy pet and is the foundation of itch prevention.
For more information or to make an appointment, please call the Old Mill Vets on 3425 2222.
What Causes Hot Spots?
They are caused by a combination of a bacterial infection, hot and humid weather and over-zealous self-licking and chewing and they can arise quickly: 10 minutes of chewing can create a big one. The dog may have an allergy, an insect bite, fleas, or may have come in contact with an irritating substance, to initiate the licking and the bacterial infection. Anything that makes the dog itch will make the dog lick and chew, and if the licking and chewing is obsessive enough, a hot spot will soon follow.
Treatment
The basics of hot spot treatment are:
Keep the dog from licking the area.
Promote drying of the moist skin.
Alleviate the itching that started the whole thing in the first place.
Control the bacterial infection.
The important thing is to be aware that these areas are tender and the pet may bite if you attempt to put something on the area that stings. Also, be careful about using human topical products as these may be toxic to pets when licked and ingested. Zinc oxide, for example, can be toxic when ingested and it is a common carrier in many human skin ointments.
When to See the Veterinarian
If the hot spot is large, or your dog seems sore and bothered by it, you should seek veterinary attention to get the hot spot treated properly, as they can enlarge quite quickly. Sometimes a hot spot also requires clipping to dry it properly. Sometimes a hot spot is also accompanied by deeper skin infection elsewhere or an ear infection, either of which would require more extensive therapy.
Good flea control is important for any itchy pet and is the foundation of itch prevention.
For more information or to make an appointment, please call the Old Mill Vets on 3425 2222.
