The dog’s skin is the largest organ of the body, however there is a very limited number of ways in which it responds to trauma. “Hot Spots” or acute moist dermatitis are spots on the dog’s skin brought on by your dog’s itching, biting and scratching and may often surface quite abruptly. These spots may become relatively large and may arise anyplace on the dog. I find it frequently in the spring time when the temperatures are hotter and the humidity is high. The dogs with the thick undercoat, like Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and rottweilers are prone to developing these types of hot spots on their face and neck. Quite often, spots found at the base of the tail are most probably due to fleas mainly because fleas prefer to gather in these spots. A few dogs tend to be so hypersensitive to fleas, the bite of one flea is enough to trigger the dog to itch all over. Almost any injury can begin the process which the dog then exacerbates by continuous chewing and licking which in turn results in a vicious cycle and causes the hot spot to spread.
The dog ordinarily has microorganisms which lives on their skin and as long as the skin is healthy, the microorganisms almost never lead to any issues. However when a problem happens, such as a fleabite, cut or allergic reactions, the dog starts to lick, bite, chew and scratch which disturbs the defensive layer of the skin. When that occurs, the microorganisms on the skin, as well as the germs in the mouth, set up housekeeping in the skin. This results in a swiftly spreading infection which can be very 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 trip to the veterinarian is generally called for. Oftentimes the fur will have to be shaved away to halt the spread of the infection. Occasionally, these hot spots are so painful, the dog may need to be sedated to have the region cleansed and shaved. Antibiotics are prescribed 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 can be utilized that will prevent the dog from chewing at the spots.
The root cause of the insult also needs to be tackled. If fleas are present, then all year round flea control might be prescribed.(over the counter flea control is not recommended) Pollen, food, and other allergens can also precipitate an attack. Sometimes special diets with essential fatty acids and a novel protein source for example salmon, lamb or venison might be prescribed to help heal the skin. Blood and skin tests can be preformed to help identify what the dog is allergic to and special allergy injections or prescription diets is often given.
Take a look at your dog daily for itchy spots and use flea control recommended by your veterinarian year round to help prevent hot spots caused by flea allergies. Routine 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.
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