The dog’s skin is the largest organ of the body, yet there is a very limited number of ways in which it responds to trauma. “Hot Spots” or acute moist dermatitis are locations on the dog’s skin caused by the dog’s itching, biting and scratching and can often appear rather suddenly. A lot of these spots may become pretty large and can develop anyplace on the dog. I see it typically in the spring time once the temperatures are warmer as well as the humidity is high. The dogs with the thick undercoat, including Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and rottweilers are vulnerable to developing these types of areas on their face and neck. Frequently, areas discovered at the base of the tail are very likely resulting from fleas since fleas love to gather in these spots. Some dogs are so allergic to fleas, the bite of one flea is sufficient to cause the dog to itch all over. Almost any trauma can begin the process which the dog then exacerbates by nonstop chewing and licking which often creates a vicious cycle and causes the hot spot to spread.

The dog ordinarily has bacteria that lives on their skin and as long as the skin is healthy, the bacteria hardly ever trigger any complications. But when a problem occurs, say for example a fleabite, cut or allergies, the dog begins to lick, bite, chew and scratch which often disrupts the protective layer of the skin. When that occurs, the bacteria on the skin, in addition to the germs in the mouth, setup housekeeping in the skin. This results in a quickly spreading infection which can be rather painful. The area on the skin is red, raw and seems moist because the wound oozes serum and pus. The hair then mats down over the wound and the infection then spreads beneath the hair.

A trip to the veterinarian is often called for. Frequently the fur will have to be clipped off to stop the spread of the infection. Sometimes, these hot spots are so painful, the dog may need to be sedated in order to have the region cleansed and shaved. Antibiotics are given to manage the infection and follow-up antibiotics are sent home. Sprays, ointments and medicated shampoos are often prescribed to continue treatment at home.. For some dogs, a special collar may be used that will prevent the dog from chewing at the places.

The particular root cause of the insult should also be tackled. If fleas are present, then year round flea control might be prescribed.(over the counter flea control is not recommended) Pollen, food, and other allergens can also precipitate an attack. Oftentimes special diets with essential fatty acids and a novel protein source for instance salmon, lamb or venison might be recommended to help heal the skin. Blood and skin tests can be preformed to help discover what the dog is allergic to and special allergy injections or prescription diets can be given.

Check your dog daily for itchy spots and use flea control suggested by your veterinarian year round to help you avert hot spots due to flea allergies. Daily grooming and brushing can keep mats from developing. If your dog is itching continuously, get him to the veterinarian to address the itching before the infection can manifest.