How to Heal Hot Spots on Your Dog

Heal the hot spots on your dog to put them at ease.

Hot spots on dogs are quite common. These are often moist, foul smelling areas of your dog's body that they bite or gnaw at, scratch or constantly rub against things to find relief. These areas may look red, inflamed, raw, bald or even infected. If your dog has been diagnosed by your vet with pyotraumatic dermatitis (the medical term for hot spots), there are ways that you can treat hot spots on dogs at home.

Things You'll Need

• Grooming scissors
• Razor
• Medicated or homeopathic dog shampoo
• Elizabethan collar
• Mild Antiseptic or Astringent

Instructions

1. 

   Hot spots on dogs with longer hair are more common, but all dogs are susceptible.

   Closely examine your dog to ensure that you locate any and all hot spots present. It is not uncommon for your dog to have more than one hot spot, and it is best to treat them simultaneously.

2. 

   Be careful when cutting hair away from the hot spots on dogs.

   Use the scissors to snip away any long hair that remains. If your dog's hair is matted, carefully cut out the matted area; ensuring that you do not accidentally cut your dog's skin in the process.

3. 

   Shaving the remaining hair away from hot spots on dogs is a great way to expose these areas to air, while also making these areas a lot easier to treat.

   Use the razor to shave short hairs away from the hot spots on your dog. This helps to fully expose the hot spots and makes them much easier to treat.

4. 

   Use the mildest of soaps when cleaning the area.

   Clean the hot spots on your dog using water and a medicated dog shampoo. Shampoos that contain aloe, eucalyptus oil, or oatmeal are preferred, as they provide soothing properties.

5. 

   Betadine can often be found in your home first aid kit.

   Carefully swab the area with a mild antiseptic, like Betadine. This is a topical treatment that is frequently used to help to dry hot spots on dogs.

6. 

   Your dog will appreciate the use of hydrocortisone.

   Use a hydrocortisone spray to help stave off the itchiness. You can also apply an Elizabethan collar to assist you in keeping your dog from biting or licking the area.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need to discuss possible triggers with your vet. Hot spots on dogs can be caused by a variety of triggers, and your vet can work with you to help narrow down the cause. Your vet may also recommend using a digestive enzyme supplement to help treat hot spots on dogs.

• Hot spots on dogs that are infected may be prescribed antibiotics to aid in treatment.

• Keep a close eye on your dog as the hot spots are healing. It is imperative that you keep your dog from scratching, biting, licking or rubbing the area in any way. Bandages or special collars (such as the Elizabethan collar mentioned above) are frequently used, but your dog will likely try to remove them.

References

• The Organic Dog: Hot Spots on Dogs Treatment and Remedies
• Dog Owner's Guide: Hot Spots
• The Dog Health Guide: Hot Spots on Dog Skin

Resources

• The Organic Dog: Hot Spots on Dogs Treatment and Remedies
• The Dog Health Guide