The rug in front of Robin’s door was a tangle of hair and blood; couch cushions strewn across the floor. Hearing faint echoes of whimpering from the kitchen, she rushed to find her beloved Boston Terrier frantically clawing at the side of her face. Robin swept Suki into her arms and sped to her veterinarian.
Suki was suffering from one of the most dreaded dermatological conditions veterinarians confront: acute moist dermatitis or “hot spots.” What makes hot spots so devastating is the incessant, seemingly uncontrollable scratching, chewing, rubbing and nearly instantaneous mauling of the skin. Affected dogs seem to be unable to stop injuring themselves as they desperately seek relief from intense itching and burning.
What causes hot spots on dogs?
Hot spots can occur in any dog breed. Photography by Holly Hildreth Photography.
Any skin irritation can lead to hot spots in any breed. Male adult dogs seem to experience more hot spots than females, and Collies, German Shepherds, Labs, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers may be more predisposed to this skin disorder.
Biting insects such as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes top the list of causes, followed closely by skin sensitivities. Matted fur, dampness and lacerations can also trigger hot spots. Seasonal and food allergies commonly spark hot spots in many dogs.
Some dogs react severely to skin irritations and excessively lick and chew at the spot. Gnawing creates more inflammation, worsening the skin lesion until a large area is affected. Bacteria then infect the open wounds, further aggravating the condition. Hot spots can occur within a few minutes to hours and can spread rapidly if untreated.
How to treat hot spots on dogs:
There are three major treatments for hot spots:
- The first is to clean the infected area. The fur around the hot spot will be shaved and the skin disinfected. Hot spots can be intensely painful, and many dogs will need pain relief or sedation to treat.
- After cleaning, anti-inflammatory medications to ease the itching are often administered. These may be injectable drugs, oral or topical medications or a combination.
- Antibiotics are usually needed to combat secondary bacterial infections. Most regimens offer immediate alleviation and are given for one to two weeks. Severe cases or recurrent hot spots may require extended treatment or additional diagnostic tests.
How to prevent hot spots on dogs:
Appropriate flea and tick preventive usage, keeping hair clean and dry, grooming dogs with dense and thick coats and avoiding allergens in foods are essential elements of hot spot prevention. If your dog suffers seasonal allergies, administer medications and nutritional supplements before allergy season.
Ask your veterinarian about adding omega-3 supplements, quercetin, black currant seed oil (BSO) or coconut oil to your dog’s skin-care program. While it’s impossible to prevent all hot spots from occurring, with a little foresight, planning and dedication, you can reduce your dog’s risk.
Suki felt much better the following day. The redness and weeping had eased, along with her urge to scratch and rub her cheek and neck. Robin administered a calming salve to the wound, along with an antibiotic and supplements.
Her veterinarian suspected an underlying allergy was to blame and prescribed an antihistamine to use during pollen season. Within 10 days, Suki’s fur was growing back, and the skin looked normal. At her two-week recheck exam, Suki’s veterinarian congratulated Robin on her excellent nursing care. Based on Robin’s schedule and Suki’s lifestyle and risks, they created a skin-care routine to help avoid future hot spots.
Monthly flea and tick preventive, weekly medicated baths, and daily omega-3 added to Suki’s food formed the foundation of her plan. Three weeks before each pollen season, Suki would begin an antihistamine, and Robin would contact the hospital if the itching persisted or worsened. Robin left with a better understanding of why hot spots occurred and feeling comfortable she was doing her best to avoid the ambush of acute moist dermatitis.
Thumbnail: Photography by cmannphoto/istock.
Read more about dog health issues on Dogster.com:
- Ask a Vet: What Causes Dog Stomach Noises?
- Dog Coughs After Drinking — What’s Going On
- How to Combat Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Dr. Ernie Ward is an internationally recognized veterinarian known for his innovations in general small animal practice, long-term medication monitoring, special needs of senior dogs and cats and pet obesity. He has authored three books and has been a frequent guest on numerous TV programs.
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