The dog’s skin is the largest organ of the body, however it has a very restricted number of ways in which it responds to injury. “Hot Spots” or acute moist dermatitis are usually locations on the dog’s skin brought on by your dog’s itching, biting and scratching and can seem to develop quite suddenly. A lot of these spots can become really large and can appear anyplace on the dog. I find it frequently in the spring time when the temperatures are hotter as well as the humidity is high. The dogs with the heavy undercoat, including Labradors, golden retrievers and rottweilers are susceptible to developing these types of hot spots on their face and neck. Frequently, areas found at the base of the tail are most likely due to fleas mainly because fleas love to congregate in these spots. A few dogs happen to be so sensitive to fleas, the bite of one flea is sufficient to induce the dog to itch all over. Any kind of injury can begin the process which the dog then exacerbates by incessant chewing and licking which often creates a vicious cycle and causes the hot spot to spread.

The dog commonly has bacteria which lives on their skin and as long as the skin is healthy, the bacteria seldom lead to any problems. However when something develops, such as a fleabite, cut or allergies, the dog begins to lick, bite, chew and scratch which will disrupts the defensive layer of the skin. Once that occurs, the bacteria on the skin, in addition to the germs in the mouth, set up housekeeping in the skin. This brings about a quickly spreading infection which can be very painful. The area on the skin is red, raw and seems moist because the wound oozes serum and pus. The hair then mats down over the wound and the infection then spreads beneath the hair.

A visit to the veterinarian is frequently warranted. Oftentimes the hair must be clipped off to stop the spread of the infection. Sometimes, these hot spots are so painful, the dog may need to be sedated in order to have the area cleansed and shaved. Antibiotics are prescribed to manage the infection and follow-up antibiotics are sent home. Sprays, ointments and medicated shampoos can also be prescribed to continue treatment at home.. For some dogs, a special collar can be utilized that will deter the dog from chewing at the spots.

The particular underlying reason for the insult should also be tackled. If fleas are present, then all year round flea control might be recommended.(over the counter flea control is not recommended) Pollen, food, and other allergens can also precipitate an attack. Sometimes special diets with essential fatty acids and a novel protein source for instance salmon, lamb or venison might be recommended to help heal the skin. Blood and skin tests can be preformed to help discover what the dog is allergic to and special allergy injections or prescription diets is often given.

Examine your dog daily for itchy spots and use flea control suggested by your veterinarian year round to help prevent hot spots from flea allergies. Regular grooming and brushing can keep mats from developing. If your dog is itching excessively, get him to the veterinarian to handle the itching before the infection can progress.

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