How To Treat Dog Hot Spots Chewtorials

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If your dog has developed a red, itchy patch of skin that they just won’t seem to leave alone, chances are you’re dealing with a hot spot. We’ve got everything you need to know. • What Are Dog Hot Spots? • Also known as pyotraumatic dermatitis or acute moist dermatitis, a hot spot is a skin lesion that’s characterized by: • Redness and skin irritation • Hair loss (often) • Hot spots are self-inflicted by your dog, created when they compulsively chew at a certain part of their body. They’re painful for your pup, and they’re also prone to secondary skin infections. • What Causes Dog Hot Spots? • The most common causes of hot spots in dogs include: • Flea bite hypersensitivity (allergy to flea bites) • Other hypersensitivities, including food allergies or seasonal allergies (atopic dermatitis) • Ear infections • Boredom, anxiety, or other compulsive disorders • Anal gland itching or pain • Skin fold infections • How to Treat Dog Hot Spots • Your first step in treating your dog’s hot spot? Contact your veterinarian. Different causes require different treatments, and your vet’s the best person to determine your dog’s underlying cause and appropriate treatment plan. Veterinarians can also prescribe medications that will help your dog get relief sooner. • Your vet’s advice may vary, but in general, this is how to help your dog’s hot spot heal: • 1. Clip the hair around the hot spot with high quality clippers. • Use clippers to carefully trim the hair at the edges of the hot spot. Important note: Do not clip the hot spot itself, as this will be painful for your dog. Instead, clip the hair around the spot, which will prevent matted fur and excessive moisture from building up and causing further problems. • Bear in mind that a hot spot is painful and itchy, and your dog may not like what you are doing. Talk gently to your dog, and use precaution to avoid getting bitten. If necessary, ask for help from your veterinarian. • 2. Gently clean the hot spot with a mild antiseptic that doesn’t sting. • Gently apply antiseptic to the hot spot. Some antiseptics come in wipe form; others come in a bottle of liquid that you’ll first apply to a gauze square and then apply to the hot spot. Dab, don’t wipe, and remember to be gentle as this may also be painful for your dog. Avoid products that contain alcohol because that will sting, and once again, bear in mind that your dog may bite. • The good news is that you’ll only need to do this once. Antiseptics can inhibit and kill bacterial skin infections, but they also interfere with skin healing, so this is a one-time job. • 3. Apply a topical treatment to the affected area. • A number of creams, ointments and lotions are available to treat hot spots. Your vet will be able to prescribe the best treatment for your pet. Over-the-counter products and home remedies may not be strong enough to provide much relief. • Continue applying the treatment according to its instructions until all of these occur: • The hot spot is no longer red or oozing • Your dog is no longer itchy • The skin appears to be healing and hair starts regrowing • 4. Place an Elizabethan collar on your dog. • An Elizabethan collar, aka a cone collar, can prevent your dog from licking the hot spot—and just as importantly, licking the medication off the hot spot. This is an important part of treatment, because the hot spot will take longer to heal or may get worse if the dog is allowed to lick it. • Keep the cone collar on your dog whenever you’re not able to closely supervise them. You can take it off when you are cuddling together, for instance, or taking a leashed walk. However, you must watch your dog closely and prevent them from licking or chewing at the hot spot at all times when the collar is off. • 5. Monitor your dog for improvement. • Check your dog’s hot spot daily to make sure it’s getting better. Signs of healing include: • Decreased redness and oozing; the skin “dries up” • Hot spot develops crusting or a scab • Dog seems comfortable and isn’t trying to bite the hot spot; less itchiness • Hair begins to regrow • • While dog hot spots are certainly no fun—for you or your dog!—it is usually possible to determine what is causing the hot spot, successfully treat it, and prevent your dog from suffering from a hot spot again in the future. • • #chewy #chewtorials #howto #howtotreatdoghotspots #hotspotsondogs

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