Hot Spots on Dogs in Dogs

A hot spot is a common skin condition that affects dogs and other pets, including cats. Hot spots in dogs are red patches on the skin that can appear suddenly almost anywhere on the body. They might be raised, irritated and look inflamed; a hot spot can be sore and painful for a dog.

Hot spots can be caused by a number of different underlying issues and won’t just clear up without a course of treatment – so shouldn’t be ignored.

Our guide has all the basics you need to know about hot spots on dogs. Read on to find out:

• What hot spots are and how dogs get them
• Symptoms of hot spots
• Treatment options for hot spots
• Other common skin conditions

If your dog was diagnosed with hot spots, would treatment be covered by your existing pet insurance? Use our quick online comparison tool to see how your current plan measures up against leading providers.

What are Hot Spots?

If your dog was diagnosed with hot spots, would treatment be covered by your existing pet insurance? Use our quick online comparison tool to see how your current plan measures up against leading providers.

A hot spot is usually easy to detect on a dog, but it’s not the only skin condition that affects canines. It can be mistaken for something else, like ringworm or acral lick dermatitis, which is a skin disease caused by licking.

You shouldn’t diagnose hot spots or any other condition in your dog yourself – leave that to your vet to establish after a consultation. But if you’re wondering, ‘what does a hot spot look like on a dog?’, common symptoms include one or more of the following:

• An itchy, painful patch of skin
• Continual chewing or licking at site
• Abnormal aggression (associated with painfulness of site)
• Possible depression (associated with painfulness of site)
• Inflammation, redness, and swelling in a localized patch of skin
• Crusted scabs or oozing sores
• Dry scaly skin
• Hair loss
• Moist, matted fur
• Foul odor from lesion

What causes hot spots on dogs? Well, hot spots are the result of a bacterial infection but ultimately triggered by a dog licking and scratching at an area of their body. You can easily see the problem here – dogs love to lick and scratch themselves, but in doing so there’s always the risk of opening up a wound, however minor.

But, if a dog is scratching itself to that extent, you can be sure that something is causing that level of irritation. Common causes include:

• Flea allergies
• Cuts or abrasions
• Ear infection
• Anal gland infection
• Foreign objects – splinter or thorns
• Food allergies
• Matted fur
• Insect bites
• Chewing or licking due to stress or boredom
  
  

Hot spots seem to be more common in long-haired dog breeds and are more prevalent during summer months in times of high temperature and humidity. Excess moisture and thicker coats can be a recipe for developing hot spots, so breeds that love to swim or are active in wet weather and exposed to wet conditions are particularly at risk.

Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Saint Bernards are among those breeds.

How do hot spots get worse?

The process of hot spots on dogs developing begins with an imbalance of normal bacteria on the skin. That’s usually brought about by some kind of irritation, which, as we covered above, can be from a variety of sources.

A dog biting and chewing the irritated area introduces bacteria from the mouth and nose to disrupted hair follicles at the site or irritation. Moisture and heat from matted hair, summer warmth and humidity or open scrapes and cuts can exacerbate further bacterial growth.

The bacterial growth causes the body’s immune response to react – which results in more itching, heat, redness, inflammation and pain. If left untreated, the hot spot can become infected, potentially leading to more serious issues

If your dog is showing one or more of those typical hot spot symptoms, it’s time to book an appointment at the vets for confirmation of the condition. Remember – hot spots in dogs can get worse within a few hours, so don’t be tempted to wait it out and hope it improves without treatment.

The vet will usually conduct a physical exam to try to determine what’s causing your dog’s irritation and making him or her scratch or bite the affected area. It’s important that you tell your vet when the symptoms began. Once the vet has established what’s triggering the irritation, treatment can start.

Hot spot treatment for dogs can include:

Cleaning the hot spot area

The hot spot, or lesion, must be cleaned thoroughly. Any matted fur should be shaved off and away from the affected area. Because this can be quite painful, it is a good idea to bring the pet to the veterinarian where nurses can clean and shave the area, and some level of sedation may be necessary. A topical antiseptic such as chlorhexidine can then be used to clean the lesion.

Treating bacterial infection

Topical and/or oral antibiotics will often be administered. Antibiotic treatment may last four weeks or longer, especially if the infection is deep.

Treating initial irritation

Some cases of hot spots are idiopathic (the cause is unidentifiable). More commonly, allergies to fleas, pollen or food are identified with a history and examination. Monthly flea treatments or hypoallergenic diets can address allergies; our partner website, Dog Food Advisor, has selected a range of best dog food for skin allergies. 

Regular grooming or keeping fur cut short can prevent matting, a common cause of skin irritation. Anxiety-induced chewing and licking can be lessened by introducing toys or chews and exercise and play.

Medications for pain and inflammation

Antihistamines may be prescribed to reduce itchiness and irritation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can be prescribed to reduce inflammation. A short acting corticosteroid may be administered one time to make the patient more comfortable and promote healing (however never at the same time as an NSAID). 

Gentamicin/Betamethasone sprays are often prescribed to spray on the lesion daily.

Dietary supplements

Essential fatty acids may be suggested for pets prone to skin conditions. You can read more about the importance of giving your dog enough nutrients here.

The cost of treating hot spots in dogs will vary depending on what’s prescribed to help manage the issue. Some dietary supplements can quickly become quite costly. Is the cost covered on your pet insurance? Quickly check your cover against top-rated plans.

Recovery of hot spots in dogs may take a bit of time; some cases are more severe than others. Follow up appointments with the vet might be needed – definitely so if the treatment doesn’t seem to be working or the hot spot is getting worse. Many cases are resolved quickly if the initial irritant is identified and the course of treatment is administered correctly and completed.

Your dog might be given something called an Elizabethan collar, which is widely used to prevent an animal biting, chewing, licking and further aggravating a wound. Hot spot home remedy tips include carefully trimming the hair around the site of the affected area, to keep the coat short and allow air to get it. This can speed up the healing process.

You can also maintain a regular course of flea treatment, to eliminate the possibility of infestation, and try to promote a stress-free environment at home. If your dog’s hot spots have been caused, even partly, by anxiety, reducing noise can help to keep things nice and calm. If your dog has been showing signs of boredom – which might have led them to chewing and licking themselves – keep them entertained with toys and provide lots of exercise.

Bear in mind that healing may take 1-2 weeks to take effect; fur may take 3-4 weeks to grow back fully.

Preventing Hot Spots in Dogs

If your dog’s needed treatment for hot spots, you won’t really want to go through all that again – you’ll be hoping it doesn’t become a recurring problem. So, what can you do to reduce the chances of your dog getting hot spots again?

While there’s no guarantee, there are steps you can take to try to prevent hot spots from making a comeback.

Good hygiene is key. Because hot spots love longer hair, matted hair and wet hair, take great care in grooming your dog. Brush his or her coat regularly, making sure to comb through any snags or clumped bits. Does your dog love to swim? Dry them down thoroughly when they’re out of the water; don’t just leave their hair to dry naturally and gradually as hot spots can manifest on the skin in moist conditions.

Get into the habit of checking your dog’s skin frequently, to look for any signs of early hot spots, and be prepared to act quickly if anything reappears.