![]() ![]() Staying on top of developing sores can save you and your dog misery (and veterinary bills).ĭr. Hot spots aren’t inevitable parts of warm weather, but they do occur. Remove any matts that you find while grooming. A towel may suffice for a short-coated dog, but a dog with a long or double coat may require brushing and the use of a blow dryer. If your dog swims a lot in the warm weather, rinse him off with clean water and dry him thoroughly. Check any areas you notice your dog rubbing, licking or chewing. Lift your dog’s tail at least once a week and check for inflammation or signs of licking or chewing, such as discolored hair or bare areas. Check your dog’s ears daily for any signs of infection such as redness, moist areas or discharge. Good external parasite management - to keep fleas and ticks away - is your most important preventative step. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories work well for dogs who need to avoid steroids. Many dogs benefit from either a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and help with pain, or an antihistamine to reduce the inflammatory reaction. If you see signs of infection (worsening redness, lack of healing, more heat, swelling or oozing) your veterinarian may need to prescribe an antibiotic medicine or antibiotic cream. The moist, inflamed area is a prime site for secondary bacterial infections. Peeling off a healthy scab can delay the healing process. When the area loses its redness and develops a healthy-looking scab, stop treating. Note: For dogs that shouldn’t receive steroids, products that contain pramoxine (which provides temporary pain relief) will still work nicely. It will need to be applied 3-4 times a day. For healthy dogs, a generic 1% hydrocortisone cream from the human first-aid shelf is safe and usually effective. The initial sore may be missed if you don’t look under your dog’s furry tail.Īssuming the spot isn’t infected, you can administer care at home:Ĭlean the surface gently with a mild soap (such as Dove, Aveenobar, Cetaphil or Castile) or with an antibacterial cleaner such as chlorhexidine.Īpply a first-aid cream, such as Neosporin (the cream, not the ointment). Any matted areas will hold moisture next to the skin, making dogs at risk for infections and sores.Īnal gland infections can stimulate licking and chewing, resulting in hot spots too. It’s even more likely if a dog has drop ears.Ī dog who is swimming, wading or even just out enjoying a warm summer rain is prone to developing hot spots if they have a thick coat that does not dry fully. Ear infections, often caused by wet ears from activities like swimming, can lead to hot spots under the ear. Allergies and external parasites, such as fleas, are primary causes. Hot spots can occur any time of year, although warm weather usually causes more cases. ![]() Dogs with drop ears or a hairy coat are most likely to develop this condition. Technically called moist dermatitis, hot spots are most common in dogs with long or thick coats, such as Newfoundlands, German Shepherd Dogs and Golden Retrievers. Hot spots get their name from the warmth generated by inflammation. Usually, you can treat these sores at home ![]()
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