Canine Skin Condition: What Are Dog Hot Spots?

When you notice dogs itching, licking, and pawing (oh my!), it’s possible that they have a classic case of the hot spots–pyotraumatic dermatitis. Let’s explore what dog hot spots are, how they can affect your pup’s health and when to hit up your friendly neighborhood vet at Veterinary Emergency Group aka VEG.

GETTING UNDER THEIR SKIN – DOG HOT SPOTS 101

Hot spots, medically known as pyotraumatic dermatitis or acute moist dermatitis, are areas of inflamed, infected skin. They can appear out of nowhere and can cause discomfort and pain for your poor pooch. It’s important to catch the symptoms early so that they don’t get worse. They can get worse quickly once they start!

There are a few things that can cause hot spots in dogs. Here are some triggers that often lead to this scratchy skin condition:

• Allergies (environmental or food-related)
• Insect bites – even microscopic skin mites
• Matted fur
• Underlying skin infections (yeast or bacterial overgrowth)
• Stress or boredom leading to excessive licking or chewing

Understanding what caused the hot spot is important in preventing future outbreaks. Regular check-ups with your regular vet can help solve that mystery. If the scratching and licking is severely irritating your dog, walk right into a VEG hospital anytime, day or night, and we’ll provide expert emergency care for your dog’s skin condition.

SPOTTING THE SYMPTOMS

The sooner you identify the early signs of hot spots, the quicker you can get your pet some relief. Hot spot symptoms show up fast and can cause a lot of discomfort for your pup. Symptoms include:

• Red, inflamed skin
• Constant licking or scratching at a specific area
• Hair loss around the affected spot
• A noticeable foul odor
• Moist or wet irritated skin

IT’S RUFF! HERE’S HOW TO MANAGE AND PREVENT HOT SPOTS

To prevent these pesky patches from showing up on your dog, there are a few things you can do:

• Here comes the groom – regularly brushing your dog’s fur can help you spot the early signs of skin irritation or infection. If your pet has sensitive skin that gets easily irritated from grooming, check with your primary care veterinarian for product recommendations.
• Dig that doggie diet – A balanced dog diet can be a game changer for their skin health. Pay attention to your dog’s diet and look for any signs of allergies. Food allergies can lead to skin irritation and hot spots. Food allergies are less common than environmental allergies.
• Eye up the environment – Some environmental factors like allergies from pollen, dust, and mold can also trigger hot spots on your dog. Keeping a clean home and minimizing exposure to these potential allergens can help reduce the risk.
• Calm your canine – Try mental stimulation, activity, and exercise to avoid hot spots. Stressed or bored pups may resort to excessive licking or biting, which can lead to skin irritation. Get their gears turning through regular exercise, playtime, and interactive toys. Keeping a calm and stable environment at home can also help reduce your doggy’s stress.

YOUR SPOT FOR HOT SPOTS – VEG CAN HELP!

We’ve more than scratched the surface of the hot spot topic. Fortunately, this is a common and manageable condition, but early intervention is key. Get to your nearest VEG for help with hot spots. Our emergency trained staff is here 24/7 to see your dog (and you, too!) through this annoyingly itchy adventure. We’ll get your dog relief right away. Remember, at VEG, you get to stay with your dog the entire time.