Hot Spots
In veterinary terms Canine acute moist dermatitis is a canine pyoderma, which is more commonly known as a “hot spot.” Hot spots are red, moist, irritated patches of skin often caused by an initial irritation and then exacerbated by bacterial infection. The irritated area can quickly double in size within hours and this soon becomes very painful indeed.
Common areas you can see hot spots are on the head, neck, hips and limbs. With the matting of fur, and often accompanied with fur loss, scabbing and oozing wounds are often seen. Hot spots seem to be very common in long-haired and double coated dog breeds and are more frequent during the summer months in times of high temperature and humidity. Hot spots are a result of a bacterial infection. Your dog's skin becomes irritated and then the dog starts scratching, licking, or even both, this eventually causes a red, ugly, sore. Officially, hot spots are referred to as acute moist dermatitis or superficial canine pyoderma, usually confined to a specific area. The hot spot can really only be treated properly by focusing on the underlying infection.
Symptoms of Hot Spots in Dogs
There are many symptoms of a hot spot which includes one or more of the following:
Causes of Hot Spots in Dogs
Possible causes of initial irritation can be any one of the following:
How Hot Spots Develop
Hot spots on dogs are a direct result of an imbalance in the normal bacteria which is Staphylococcus intermedius, on the skin. This bacterial imbalance is most likely brought about by some initial irritation that the dog bites or scratches at repeatedly. Biting and chewing can introduce bacteria from the mouth and nose to disrupted hair follicles at the site of irritation. Moisture and heat from the matted fur, summer warmth and humidity or even from open scrapes or cuts can then further exacerbate bacterial growth. Bacterial growth causes the body natural immune response to react, which results in further itching, heat, redness, inflammation and pain.
Diagnosis
If you notice your dog is showing any symptoms of a hot spot, you may want to try an over the counter medication to clean and treat at home. However, since hot spots are painful and can worsen within a matter of hours, it is always advisable to book an appointment with your local veterinary practice to obtain professional treatment for this condition.
The veterinarian will take a thorough history and then conduct a physical exam to determine the initial cause of the hot spot. It is important to let your veterinarian know when the onset of symptoms began and if there were any unusual circumstances that may have led to the irritation so the vet can identify the possible allergens or stressors to ensure that the treatment prescribed addressed the cause as well as the symptoms.
The hot spot area will most likely be shaved and then properly cleaned to determine severity and size of the hot spot. Shaving and cleaning is also necessary to properly clean and to allow air flow to dry out the moisture that the hot spot produces. In cases where other forms of pyoderma are suspected, your veterinarian may further examine bacterial samples under the microscope or even take a culture sample for diagnosis.
Treatment
The area must be cleaned thoroughly. Any matted fur should be shaved from the affected area. This is because it can be quite painful, it is often a good idea to bring your dog to the vet practice so that the nurses can clean and shave the area properly. Some level of sedation may be necessary, depending on the pain tolerance of your dog. A topical antibacterial/antiseptic which has the ingredient chlorhexidine in is then used to clean the wound.
Your vet may decide to treat the bacterial infection by either opting for a topical approach or with administering oral. Depending on the severity, your vet may decide to use the double prong approach of topical and oral antibiotics. Although by using the antibiotic treatment approach this may last 4 weeks or longer.
Treating Initial Irritation
Some cases of hot spots are idiopathic where the cause is unidentifiable. More commonly the causes are thought to be from, allergies to fleas, pollen or food that are identified with a history and examination.
Monthly flea treatments or hypoallergenic diets can address allergies. Along with regular grooming or keeping fur cut short can prevent matting, a common cause of skin irritation. Any anxiety-induced chewing and licking can be reduced by introducing toys or chews and exercise and play.
Medications for pain and inflammation antihistamines may be prescribed to reduce itchiness and irritation. NSAIDS can be prescribed to reduce inflammation. A short acting corticosteroid may also be administered one time to make your dog more comfortable and to promote healing. Gentamicin/Betamethasone sprays are quite often prescribed to spray on the lesion daily. Dietary supplements Essential fatty acids may be suggested for pets prone to skin conditions.
Recovery
Follow up veterinarian appointments may or may not be necessary, depending on the severity of the wound. In most cases hot spot resolve quite quickly if the original irritant is addressed and the correct treatment regimen is followed. An Elizabethan collar or Comfy collar should be used to prevent further chewing or licking of the hot spot. Also, regular grooming can help prevent hot spots from developing. If you are not able to groom your pet regularly, you may consider either a professional groomer to help maintain your dog’s coat, or even keeping the hair clipped short or shaved to prevent matting.
Follow a monthly flea control program. Maintain a stress free environment in the dog’s home. Try to eliminate loud noises, introduce toys and chews, and provide your pet with exercise and play. Maintain an appropriate hypoallergenic diet if your veterinarian suspects food allergies. Healing may not be apparent for 1-2 weeks. Fur should begin to grow back in 3-4 weeks. Scarring is not often a problem except in severe cases. If hot spots continue, further diagnostics may be required to determine the cause.
NB. Do Not Shave Sled Dogs! Unless advised by your veterinarian for medical purposes.
In veterinary terms Canine acute moist dermatitis is a canine pyoderma, which is more commonly known as a “hot spot.” Hot spots are red, moist, irritated patches of skin often caused by an initial irritation and then exacerbated by bacterial infection. The irritated area can quickly double in size within hours and this soon becomes very painful indeed.
Common areas you can see hot spots are on the head, neck, hips and limbs. With the matting of fur, and often accompanied with fur loss, scabbing and oozing wounds are often seen. Hot spots seem to be very common in long-haired and double coated dog breeds and are more frequent during the summer months in times of high temperature and humidity. Hot spots are a result of a bacterial infection. Your dog's skin becomes irritated and then the dog starts scratching, licking, or even both, this eventually causes a red, ugly, sore. Officially, hot spots are referred to as acute moist dermatitis or superficial canine pyoderma, usually confined to a specific area. The hot spot can really only be treated properly by focusing on the underlying infection.
Symptoms of Hot Spots in Dogs
There are many symptoms of a hot spot which includes one or more of the following:
- Itchy, painful patch of skin
- Continual chewing or licking at site
- Abnormal aggression that’s due to the soreness of the hot spot
- Possible depression again this is linked with pain of the hot spot
- Inflammation, redness, and swelling in a localised patch of skin
- Crusted scabs or oozing sores
- Dry scaly skin
- Fur loss Moist, matted fur
- Foul odour from lesion
Causes of Hot Spots in Dogs
Possible causes of initial irritation can be any one of the following:
- Flea allergies
- Cuts or abrasions
- Ear infection
- Anal gland infection
- Foreign objects such as splinters or thorns
- Food allergies
- Matted fur
- Insect bites
- Chewing or licking due to stress or boredom
How Hot Spots Develop
Hot spots on dogs are a direct result of an imbalance in the normal bacteria which is Staphylococcus intermedius, on the skin. This bacterial imbalance is most likely brought about by some initial irritation that the dog bites or scratches at repeatedly. Biting and chewing can introduce bacteria from the mouth and nose to disrupted hair follicles at the site of irritation. Moisture and heat from the matted fur, summer warmth and humidity or even from open scrapes or cuts can then further exacerbate bacterial growth. Bacterial growth causes the body natural immune response to react, which results in further itching, heat, redness, inflammation and pain.
Diagnosis
If you notice your dog is showing any symptoms of a hot spot, you may want to try an over the counter medication to clean and treat at home. However, since hot spots are painful and can worsen within a matter of hours, it is always advisable to book an appointment with your local veterinary practice to obtain professional treatment for this condition.
The veterinarian will take a thorough history and then conduct a physical exam to determine the initial cause of the hot spot. It is important to let your veterinarian know when the onset of symptoms began and if there were any unusual circumstances that may have led to the irritation so the vet can identify the possible allergens or stressors to ensure that the treatment prescribed addressed the cause as well as the symptoms.
The hot spot area will most likely be shaved and then properly cleaned to determine severity and size of the hot spot. Shaving and cleaning is also necessary to properly clean and to allow air flow to dry out the moisture that the hot spot produces. In cases where other forms of pyoderma are suspected, your veterinarian may further examine bacterial samples under the microscope or even take a culture sample for diagnosis.
Treatment
The area must be cleaned thoroughly. Any matted fur should be shaved from the affected area. This is because it can be quite painful, it is often a good idea to bring your dog to the vet practice so that the nurses can clean and shave the area properly. Some level of sedation may be necessary, depending on the pain tolerance of your dog. A topical antibacterial/antiseptic which has the ingredient chlorhexidine in is then used to clean the wound.
Your vet may decide to treat the bacterial infection by either opting for a topical approach or with administering oral. Depending on the severity, your vet may decide to use the double prong approach of topical and oral antibiotics. Although by using the antibiotic treatment approach this may last 4 weeks or longer.
Treating Initial Irritation
Some cases of hot spots are idiopathic where the cause is unidentifiable. More commonly the causes are thought to be from, allergies to fleas, pollen or food that are identified with a history and examination.
Monthly flea treatments or hypoallergenic diets can address allergies. Along with regular grooming or keeping fur cut short can prevent matting, a common cause of skin irritation. Any anxiety-induced chewing and licking can be reduced by introducing toys or chews and exercise and play.
Medications for pain and inflammation antihistamines may be prescribed to reduce itchiness and irritation. NSAIDS can be prescribed to reduce inflammation. A short acting corticosteroid may also be administered one time to make your dog more comfortable and to promote healing. Gentamicin/Betamethasone sprays are quite often prescribed to spray on the lesion daily. Dietary supplements Essential fatty acids may be suggested for pets prone to skin conditions.
Recovery
Follow up veterinarian appointments may or may not be necessary, depending on the severity of the wound. In most cases hot spot resolve quite quickly if the original irritant is addressed and the correct treatment regimen is followed. An Elizabethan collar or Comfy collar should be used to prevent further chewing or licking of the hot spot. Also, regular grooming can help prevent hot spots from developing. If you are not able to groom your pet regularly, you may consider either a professional groomer to help maintain your dog’s coat, or even keeping the hair clipped short or shaved to prevent matting.
Follow a monthly flea control program. Maintain a stress free environment in the dog’s home. Try to eliminate loud noises, introduce toys and chews, and provide your pet with exercise and play. Maintain an appropriate hypoallergenic diet if your veterinarian suspects food allergies. Healing may not be apparent for 1-2 weeks. Fur should begin to grow back in 3-4 weeks. Scarring is not often a problem except in severe cases. If hot spots continue, further diagnostics may be required to determine the cause.
NB. Do Not Shave Sled Dogs! Unless advised by your veterinarian for medical purposes.
