The dog’s skin is the largest organ of the body, however there is a very limited number of ways in which it reacts to injury. “Hot Spots” or acute moist dermatitis are usually spots on the dog’s skin caused by your dog’s itching, biting and scratching and may seem to appear very abruptly. A lot of these spots may become rather large and may show up just about anywhere on the dog. I find it quite often in the spring time once the temperatures are hotter and the humidity is high. The dogs with the heavy undercoat, such as Labradors, golden retrievers and rottweilers are susceptible to developing these types of areas on their face and neck. In many cases, areas discovered at the base of the tail are more than likely caused by fleas mainly because fleas choose to congregate in these areas. Quite a few dogs are so hypersensitive to fleas, the bite of one flea is enough to induce the dog to itch all over. Any type of injury can start the process which the dog then exacerbates by continual chewing and licking which often results in a vicious cycle and causes the hot spot to spread.
The dog ordinarily has microorganisms that lives on their skin and as long as the skin is healthy, the microorganisms hardly ever lead to any issues. However, if something occurs, say for example a fleabite, cut or allergic reactions, the dog starts to lick, bite, chew and scratch which in turn disturbs the defensive layer of the skin. When that occurs, the microorganisms on the skin, in addition to the germs in the mouth, setup housekeeping in the skin. This results in a quickly spreading infection which is often quite painful. The spot 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 visit to the veterinarian is generally called for. Frequently the hair needs to be trimmed off to halt the spread of the infection. Now and again, these hot spots are so painful, the dog may need to be sedated 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 can help deter the dog from chewing at the areas.
The particular underlying source of the insult also needs to be tackled. If fleas are present, then all year round flea control may be prescribed.(over the counter flea control is not recommended) Pollen, food, and other allergens can also precipitate an attack. Oftentimes specific diets with essential fatty acids and a novel protein source for instance salmon, lamb or venison may be prescribed 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.
Take a look at your dog daily for itchy spots and use flea control suggested by your veterinarian year round to help you prevent hot spots due to flea allergies. Daily grooming and brushing will keep mats from developing. If your dog is itching continuously, take him to the veterinarian to handle the itching before the infection can manifest.