What Exactly Are Hotspots in Dogs and What Can You Do About Them?

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"YOUR DOG HAS BEEN A FULL MEMBER OF THE FAMILY SINCE DAY ONE. You encourage him to play, run, and explore the world. With loving upbringing, you guide him through puppyhood and dog adolescence. Loving and sometimes admonishing, because that's part of it too. You protect your 'dog child' against problems: your pet is equally your Achilles heel and you ward off disaster as best you can. When hotspots occur in your dog, questions may arise. What to do? Further investigation must determine how to alleviate your buddy's suffering. We'll explain how you can proceed.

Hotspots are common in dogs and are skin conditions that sometimes seem to arise out of nowhere. Often something innocent is at the root of it and in most cases the problem is easy to solve. Looking for the cause helps you tackle the underlying problem, so that you can act decisively when you notice hotspots.

RECOGNIZING A HOTSPOT

The name hotspot can sound quite dramatic to you. Fortunately, that's not too bad. No, it's not some kind of volcanic subcutaneous activity. A hotspot is an inflammation under the skin and to stay in volcanic terms: it can erupt at any moment. Pus then flows from the inflammation site, infecting the area again.

THE DEFINITION OF HOTSPOTS

Hotspots are also called dermatitis. It is a skin problem that can arise as a result of excessive irritation of a specific part of the dog's body. They often occur on the head, limbs, and neck of the animal. The spots itch and can sometimes be quite painful.

A hotspot cannot be compared to an insect bite. An insect bite disappears over time. Hotspots, on the other hand, can quickly worsen and spread unchecked when the affected area is not treated.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A HOTSPOT

Itchiness is not uncommon in a dog - as you may have noticed. And you generally don't worry quickly about a red spot on your dog's skin, usually that is indeed an innocent event. Small irritated spots are often not noticed quickly, especially if your dog has a long-haired coat. That can immediately be the reason for a simmering hotspot, which is only noticed when it is larger and more serious in nature.

Do you suspect that your dog is suffering from hotspots? Here are some indicators to watch out for if you suspect:

- Redness and swelling

- Hair loss in certain places

- Crust formation

- Open sores

- Bleeding or discharge

- Foul smell at the wound site

- Moist, matted hair

Do some of these point changes match the symptoms your dog is showing? Then it wouldn't hurt to inform the vet about this. Try to prevent further skin irritation as much as possible by discouraging your dog from licking or scratching the infected spot. Does he know the word no? Then that's one way to try to stop the action.

WHY HOTSPOTS ARE A PROBLEM

Hotspots are not life-threatening. But nevertheless, they can be problematic. And although it must be a relief for your dog to scratch the itchy spots, he is not aware that the problem is only getting worse. What seemingly provides relief is usually just the recipe for more discomfort.

Moreover, a hotspot can turn into an open wound, making the area susceptible to more serious bacterial infections. In general, a hotspot occurs on a single part of an animal's body, but in the worst-case scenario, the spots spread all over the body.

Keep an eye out and pay close attention to your dog's behavior. Perform regular checks to avoid risks.

EXPOSING THE SOURCE OF THE HOTSPOTS

When you can identify the main cause of the hotspot, that is the best way to prevent the suffering in the future. Hotspots in dogs usually occur in higher temperatures and a humid environment, but that is not always the case. Environmental factors often influence the occurrence of hotspots.

Also, certain dog breeds are more susceptible to getting hotspots, which can be due to their longer coat, such as:

- Golden retrievers

- German shepherds

- St. Bernards

- Collies

Also, an allergic reaction or insect bites can cause hotspots to develop. Accurately identifying the main cause also now ensures that the problem can be easily cut off in the future. Try to trace the cause, so your dog no longer has to experience discomfort and you don't have to drive to the vet off and on.

Some of the most common causes of hotspots in dogs are:

- Residual moisture after a swim or bath

- Sensitivity to flea bites

- Excessive licking due to boredom or stress

- Ear infections

- Food allergies or seasonal allergies

- Inflamed anal gland

- Parasites such as scabies

Consult the vet to determine the most likely cause of the skin irritation and start a thorough treatment plan as soon as the diagnosis is clear.

THE TREATMENT OF HOTSPOTS

When you are sure that the red spot on your dog's skin is not an insect bite or another type of itchy bump that disappears on its own within a few days, the vet can look for the possible cause and proceed with a treatment plan.

In some cases, a vet will set up a cytological examination of the skin. This way, he can determine whether the spot has become an infected hotspot in the dog. The findings and severity will determine which treatment path is taken.

Dogs with mild to moderate hotspot complaints will usually follow a treatment plan that includes:

- Trimming the fur around the irritated spot - The hair around the area needs to be removed to allow the healing process to proceed as optimally as possible. The vet can do this, but you can also carefully remove the hair yourself with a clipper.

- Wearing a protective collar- If the dog cannot stop licking or scratching the affected spot, a protective collar can provide relief. The dog can no longer worsen the problem.

- Cleaning the affected area - Using the antibacterial shampoo from Vetericyn or a mild antiseptic are a few options to keep the spot clean of dirt, sweat, or filth, which can worsen the symptoms.

- Applying a topical spray or gel - An antimicrobial hotspot spray that is safe for use around the dog's eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, can be applied three to four times a day until the symptoms improve. In addition, an antimicrobial hydrogel can also be used - in combination with a hotspot spray for hard-to-reach places and for extra protection.

In more severe cases, vets may prescribe oral steroids or antibiotics, which should be taken for three to four weeks. After starting such a treatment, improvement usually occurs after 3 to 7 days.

PREVENTING A HOTSPOT

When the hotspots have healed, the task is to prevent these pests from rising again. Once you have identified the cause, you can ensure that the problem does not start to spread again. By taking a few preventive measures, you can keep hotspots in your dog at bay as much as possible:

- Regular care - Hygiene is important for dogs. A regular trim can be helpful. Consider a medicinal shampoo to strengthen your pet's natural immune system and prevent potential skin problems in the future. Such as the Vetericyn Plus Medium Animal Skin Care Spray.

- Stay dry - When a dog's coat is moist, it can be a breeding ground

for all sorts of unwanted skin conditions. So if your dog is an active swimmer, drying the coat afterwards is necessary to combat bacteria.

- Regular exercise – Out of pure boredom, a dog can sometimes keep licking or scratching a spot on the skin. Extra exercise is a great way to test if the dog's destructive behavior decreases. Moreover, staying active is important for the overall health of the dog. Can't always give your dog enough exercise? Then a dog walking service can be a solution.

- Detect and treat allergies - Does your dog have a food or environmental allergy? A test can determine if this is indeed the case. The right diet or allergy medications can be an effective strategy to prevent future flare-ups of the skin.

KEEP HOT SPOTS UNDER CONTROL WITH VETERICYN

Did you know that hotspots are quite common in dogs? Fortunately, they are easy to treat in most cases. To facilitate that, it requires extra vigilance and attention from the owner. Because an emerging hotspot is easier to treat than a hotspot that has existed for some time. And once the hotspot suffering is over, a forward-looking view is never out of place.

With the Vetericyn-Plus, you can easily anticipate possible skin problems in the near future, and immediately start treatment when you notice hotspots.

Vetericyn, always at hand! Also to keep hotspots in your dog at bay.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM ANIMAL LOVERS ABOUT HOTSPOTS IN DOGS

[tab name='How can I recognize if my dog has a hotspot?']

Hotspots in dogs, also known as acute moist dermatitis, are red, moist, irritated spots that can appear suddenly. They are often itchy and painful. Symptoms include redness, swelling, hair loss in the area, and a crusty edge around the spot. If you suspect your dog has a hotspot, it's important to consult a vet as soon as possible.

[tab name='Can a hotspot heal on its own?']

While some very mild hotspots can heal on their own, most require medical treatment. Without treatment, hotspots can grow larger and secondary infections can occur. It's always advisable to consult a vet at the first signs of a hotspot.

[tab name='How does a hotspot start?']

A hotspot often starts with a small irritation on the skin that the dog scratches or licks, exacerbating the irritation. This can be caused by a range of factors, including allergies, insect bites, poor grooming, infections, or even stress.

[tab name='How does a hotspot heal?']

The treatment of a hotspot usually involves cleaning the area, applying a topical treatment, and sometimes using antibiotics or steroids. It's also important to identify the cause of the hotspot to prevent recurrence. A vet can advise the best treatment for your dog."