Hot Spots on Dogs

Hot spots can be defined as inflammation or infection of the skin which is also called moist dermatitis and acute moist dermatitis. There are actually two types of red spots which are superficial and deep. The problem with hot spots is that initially they are so small that a person may not be able to recognize it with their naked eye. Hence, when these small spots go unattended, they become large in size within a matter of few hours. Though hot spots can occur in all types of dogs, it is mostly seen in canines that have long hair and thick coats. As hot spots need immediate treatment to avoid any kind of complications, it is important to know about the details of this skin condition that is seen in dogs.

Causes
Hot spots can be triggered due to various reasons, however what actually causes the hot spots to become visible in size is the dog's constant licking and scratching on that area of the skin. One of the most common causes is insect or flea bite due to which the dog has an urge to scratch and lick that part of the skin frequently. Due to this, the bacteria in that area increases, giving rise to this dog health problem. Apart from flea and insect bite, some kind of dog allergies can also be the reason that can give rise to the problem of hot spots. Other allergies include inhalant, food, as well as allergies that develop because of contact. Hot spots can also be developed from an injury that the dog had like a small scrap, wound, etc. Another important factor about hot spots is that they usually develop during the summer season when the climate is hot and humid. Hot spots are common in dogs who indulge in constant licking and scratching just because they do not have anything else to do. Apart from this, according to the area where the hot spots appear, it can also be an indicator of some serious problem. For instance, if the hot spot is near the ear, it can be because of an ear infection and on the other hand, if it is found on the anal area, it can be a symptom of anal gland disease.

Symptoms
Though hot spots can be seen on any part of the dog's body, they are most commonly seen in areas like the legs, rump, paws and the flank. In short, places that are easily accessible for the mouth to lick and scratch. As it is important to recognize the presence of hot spots on your dog as soon as possible, you should know about the symptoms that your pet dog will show when affected by it. One of the easiest way of recognizing the same, is when your canine constantly licks and scratches one particular area of the skin. Another symptom is hair loss, i.e., you will find the dog has lost his hair on the area where the infection has occurred. Other than this, redness and oozing are also two symptoms that can indicate the presence of hot spots.

Treatment
If you observe any of the symptoms in your pet canine, it is important that you take him to the doctor without much delay. However, there are certain things that you can do before you consult your veterinarian. So, let us take a look at the home remedies for getting rid of hot spots from your canine.

• The first thing you have to do, is to trim the hair in the area where the reddish sores have developed. This is because the hot sores heal better when exposed to fresh air because they will be free from moisture and will remain dry.
• Clean the area by using a mild skin cleanser that is available in pet stores or maybe a baby shampoo. However, make sure that the cleanser is fully rinsed because if the cleanser is left for a long time, this may cause further irritation to the dog.
• Take hot water in a large vessel and soak some black tea bags into the water for a few minutes. Remove them from the water and once they are cooled, place them directly on the dog's hot spots. Tannic acid that is present in the black tea bags aid in the quick healing of the hot spots.
• One more important thing you have to remember is that the area where the hot spots have appeared should be kept dry. This also means that you have to prevent your dog from licking that area. For this, you can tie an Elizabethan collar around your pet's neck.
• These home remedies usually work when the hot spots are superficial. However, it is difficult to know the nature of the hot sores by observing it from the outside. Therefore, you should take your pet dog to the doctor, before his condition becomes worse. The doctor may give some oral antibiotics, special shampoos and topical drying sprays to cure the problem of hot spots.

This condition can be prevented if you find the cause of the problem. For instance, if it is caused due to some dog food allergies, avoid giving those foods to your pet. On the other hand, if it is caused because your dog has long hair, then see to it that dog grooming is done on a regular basis. Proper dog care and maintaining proper hygiene like clipping your dog's hair, giving him medicated baths, conducting flea control, etc., will help in preventing the occurrence of hot spots to a certain extent.