How to Treat Hot Spots on Your Dog

Golden retrievers, with their heavy coats, are frequent victims of hot spots.

Hot spots are a common health issue in many dogs. Hot spots are usually most prevalent on dogs with heavy coats, allergies to food, fleas or inhalants, dogs with mosquito bites or other irritations, or who have a chronic problem with anal gland impaction. They can also develop as a result of matted fur or biting at a wound that won't heal. They result in serious misery for your dog, and yourself, if you have any sympathy for him. There are some things you can try to help heal his inflamed skin.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Hot water
• Black tea bag
• Cleansing agents

1. Dogs who have been bitten by fleas, ticks or other insects may develop hot spots. Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

   Inspect your dog's skin for skins of irritation. Treat any small irritation as soon as possible because if you don't, it can grow into a major hot spot, or lick sore, as they are sometimes called. Look for redness, lumps, bumps, rashes or anything unusual on your dog's skin. If he has been bitten by mosquitoes, or fleas, he may be biting at the wound in an effort to relieve the itch. Relieve it for him by applying a topical itch medication or giving him diphenhydramine (Benedryl).

2. Cut the fur around the hot spot so you can see it and treat it. Also, the fur around the hot spot will only add to the problem as heat and moisture will cause the fur to act almost as a scab on the hot spot. Humidity is a concern with hot spots, and you want to keep the area dry. Cutting the fur around the area will help keep it dry and allow the air to get to it.

3. Cleanse the area well with Betadine, Witch Hazel, peroxide, Phisohex or other cleansing agent that does not burn. Continue to clean the area until all blood, fluid, pus or discharge is completely gone. Blot with gauze or tissue until the area is clean and dry.

4. If using the tea bag remedy, use black tea, never green. Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

   Continue to treat the area with a cleansing and drying agent several times a day. Earth Clinic Folk Remedies, a website dedicated to holistic and organic treatments, recommends applying a black tea bag on the lick sore because it contains a drying agent. Steep the tea bag in hot water, allow to cool, and place on the sore for five minutes. Do this several times a day for best results.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes hot spots are caused by allergies, among other reasons. Have your veterinarian help you discover the cause so you can prevent future hot spots.

• If the hot spot worsens or you did not catch it early, take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible because the hot spot could turn into a full blown infection.

References

• Pets Webmd: Hot Spots
• Earth Clinic: Hot Spots
• Canis Major: Hot Spots

Resources

• PetWave: Dog Hot Spots