It can be all too easy to overlook the fact that a dog’s skin can be just as sensitive on your own. These resilient creatures seldom complain, creating a challenge for dog owners when they do not know that their dog is uncomfortable. Canine hot spots can cause huge amounts of discomfort, making it well worth working hard to ensure that your dog is not living with them, but how exactly are you supposed to do this? To make it easier for you, this post will be exploring the work you will need to do to identify, assess, and treat canine hot spots.
What Are Canine Hot Spots?
In simple terms, a canine hot spot is a localised area of skin with inflammation and usually a bacterial infection. It can be easy to mistake this ailment with other issues, with many dog owners likening the early stages of a hot spot to insect bites. The fact that these hot spots look so similar to other conditions only makes them harder to identify, though they quickly become more distinct as the condition gets worse.
Your dog will probably scratch themselves, ultimately making the hot spots ooze with puss or clear liquid. At this stage, your dog is likely to be in a lot of discomfort, and you will have to work hard to make sure that they are able to recover properly. If you notice hot spots on your dog that are extremely inflamed and swollen, it will always be worth taking your dog str4aight to the vet to make sure that they are not in trouble.
Assessing Dog Hot Spots
Once you’ve noticed a hot spot on your dog, it will be time to start looking for ways to treat and make it better. Of course, though, this process is more complicated than you might expect, and there are many causes of hot spots out there. The specific element that is causing your dog’s hot spots needs to be identified to make sure that you can treat it properly. You can find some of the most common causes below, but it is worth keeping an open mind when you watch your dog to understand the source of their condition.
- Allergies: Allergies are one of the most common causes of hot spots in dogs. They can be allergic to just about anything, and it only takes a small amount of contact to trigger a reaction. Food allergies are some of the most likely to cause hot spots.
- Flea Bites: While most dogs will just about ignore flea bites, only scratching them occasionally, dogs with more sensitive skin can end up having their flea bites turn into hot spots. This process will often only take a few days, making it easier to see any potential causes or solutions.
- Wet Coats: Spending a long time with a wet coat after playing outside can be another way to develop hot spots on your dog. Moisture like this can cause infections that turn into hot spots over the course of a few days.
- Boredom & Stress: Many hot spots are caused when a dog over-scratches themselves. They do not understand that this is bad for them and will often resort to activities like this when they are stressed or bored. This makes it crucial that you entertain your dog to avoid issues like this.
- Injuries: Finally, as the last cause of hot spots, it is time to think about injuries. It’s easy for a dog to get themselves injured, and the time after an injury will often dictate whether or not a hot spot forms.
Finding The Right Treatment For Your Dog
Canine dermatitis can be a serious issue, and this makes it worth taking hot spots on your dog seriously, too. Causing pain, discomfort, and even sickness, it is crucial that you work to treat your dog as soon as you can when you notice something like this. There are loads of options on the market that make it possible to treat hot spots on your dog.
Topical sprays, antibiotics, and steroids are all examples of the sort of medication a vet will be able to give you for your dog’s hot spots. Alongside this, taking action by shaving the sore area can also help to alleviate your dog’s suffering. It always makes sense to talk to a vet before you give this sort of treatment to your dog. Finding the most effective medication will only be possible if you have a deep knowledge of the options that are available.
Click here to view our other articles