Hot Spots

Sometimes our pets develop some skin conditions that we are not familiar with and we don’t know what to do until we book an appointment with the vet.

Hot Spots,  also known as Moist Dermatitis or Summer Sore, is a skin irritation that appear on your dog’s skin. The spots can affect the whole body, but are most typically found in the chest, head, and hip area. These lesions can be painful and grow at a fast-paced rate as dogs just can’t leave them alone and continue to scratch and lick the affected area.

 These spots commonly appear during the warmer season, when dogs swim or are exposed to rain.  They can also occur during other times of the year when the dog is stressed or agitated. If they scratch or lick themselves excessively, it can cause a wet scab on their skin, where bacteria can spread and ultimately develop into a Hot Spot.

As the lesion is prone to appear in a moist environment, it’s important to keep your dog’s coat groomed and clean. During the summer months when they are exposed to water more frequently, do your best to dry them off after being in the lake or swimming in the pool. A stress-free environment is also key to happy healthy fur baby!

Once Hot Spots are diagnosed, a vet can provide an appropriate treatment. Depending on the severity of the hot spot the treatment could include antibiotics, pain medication, anti-itch cream, shaving the lesioned area, and/or dietary supplements. The treatment can be supported with the aid of shampoos, foams, or sprays that will help to reduce the symptoms until your furry friend feels better!