How to Treat a Dog's Hot Spots

For humans, a hot spot is a popular place to have fun. For canines—on the other hand—a hot spot ain't no picnic. Hot spots (otherwise known as acute moist dermatitis) are inflamed, infected areas of skin that spread rapidly due to licking and scratching. Redness, oozing, itchiness and sometimes hair loss are all symptoms. Some dogs are more prone to hot spots than others, but this pesky problem can affect any dog. Here are several steps to treating hot spots.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 

   Trim the area around the hot spot with scissors. If the area is too big, you should shave it. Exposing it to air will dry out the moisture and help speed healing.

2. Clean the area with a gentle baby shampoo or mild skin cleanser for dogs and rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

3. 

   Apply hydrocortisone spray to stop the itching. Benadryl tablets can also stop the itch, but it's best to check with your veterinarian first.

4. Prevent your dog from biting, licking or scratching the area. Placing an Elizabethan collar (plastic cone) around your dog's neck will keep him from biting and licking at it.

5. Keep an eye on the area to make sure it continues to heal and doesn't worsen or spread. In most cases, hot spots are infected and require a visit to the vet who might prescribe oral antibiotics and/or topical medication. There's also the possibility of a deeper skin infection.

Tips & Warnings

• Hot spots can result from fleas, food allergies, tangled or matted hair, humidity, not drying a wet dog properly or from licking and biting.
• Black/green tea bags and medicated powder such as Gold Bond are home remedies that might be used for drying out hot spots. For healing, there's Vitamin E or antibiotic ointment; however, always check with a veterinarian first, because many don't advocate the use of these remedies, especially ointments, since the idea is generally to dry out the hot spots. And keep in mind these treatments won't stop the spread of infection.
• Treat hot spots immediately to prevent further spreading.
• Hot spots can be very painful, so be cautious when treating your dog.
• Sometimes hair can mat over the hot spot and obscure the severity of the problem.

[redfirephoenix]

on 10/7/2009 Toast: Not sure why your vet would recommend that, creams are generally not considered helpful for these types of infections because they prevent air from reaching them and drying them out. Clean the area with a gentle cleanser and use cool compresses. There are spray-on antibiotics which work better because they dry quickly.

[toastmagazine]

on 10/5/2009 I bought a peekapoo from a breeder and didnt notice the spot without hair behind his leg until we got home. I called her and she says it is a hot spot and to put triple antibiotic ointment on it. That was a couple of weeks ago and hair is still not growing back. Any suggestions???

[toastmagazine]

on 10/5/2009 i bought a peekapoo from a breeder and didnt notice the spot without hair behind his leg until we got home. I called her and she says it is a hot spot and to put triple antibiotic ointment on it. That was a couple of weeks ago and hair is still not growing back. Any suggestions???

[diggitydogg]

on 7/5/2009 10 mg is usually recommended for a dog under 30 lbs. With a 9 lb. dog you might even try halving it first. But always check with your vet beforehand!

[norau]

on 7/1/2009 How much benedryl can you give a 9lb doxie