How to Treat Your Dog's Hot Spots

Your dog's hot spots can quickly go from being just an irritation for your dog to a serious infection. If your dog is suffering from hot spots, you need to treat them and treat them quickly.

Here's how

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. First, you need to identify the problem as a dog hot spot. It will be an inflamed, infected area of skin that your dog can't seem to stop licking and biting. There usually is some amount of smell due to infection.

2. Trim all of the excess fur from the area around the hot spot with a pair of scissors. If the area is large, you might have to shave it instead of trimming with scissors.
   
   The purpose in trimming the area is for two reasons. First it gives you a clean area to treat and work on but it also allows air to circulate and dry the sore.

3. Once you have the area trimmed, clean it with clean, cool water.

4. Next, apply a cool compress to the area several times per day. You can do this with a cool, wet washcloth.

5. Apply medication that you get from your vet or from the pet store that is made to treat dog hot spots.

Tips & Warnings

• Be on the lookout during warm weather for any cuts or wounds on your dog's coat.
• Watch for your dog itching incessantly or biting one particular spot.
• Try to keep the wound as dry as possible - moisture breeds bacteria which leads to infection.
• If your dogs hot spot doesn't heal, take him to a vet.
• Infections can get so bad that the infection can enter your dog's blood stream possibly causing death.

Resources

• Free advice and helpful information for your dog skin problems

[Debhsmomof4]

on 8/26/2009 Thank you! I hope you found it helpful.

[w1127]

on 8/25/2009 Great tips for dog owners!