Hot Spots & Sores on Dogs

Hot spots are sores that develop on a dog's skin. It resembles an eczema rash that is weeping or pussy. Hot spots are also referred to by the names moist eczema and summer sores. Hot spot are a common concern for dog owners because dogs can acquire them easily and even a small sore can quickly become larger and more serious. With the proper care, however, hot spots do not pose a significant threat to your dog's health.

  1. Formation

    • Bacteria that irritate the skin and cause the dog to constantly scratch and lick the area cause most hot spot sores. If a dog develops even a small tear in the skin's surface as a result of rough play or running through brambles, bacteria can enter the skin. Small cuts that become infected grow and irritate the dog, which then licks the wound, providing a moist area ideal for additional bacterial growth. The result is an infected wound that cannot heal because the dog aggravates the area. Eventually the wound forms a scab, but even then the dog constantly licks and agitates the surface, resulting in a wet scab that cannot heal.

    Cause

    • Dogs are more likely to get hot spots if their pelts are exposed to moisture regularly. For example if a dog has a small knick in its skin, which most animals do at all times, rolling in a puddle, having a bath or taking a walk in the rain can provide enough moisture for the bacteria that may already exist on the dog's skin to enter the cut and begin to reproduce rapidly.

    Treatment

    • Although hot spots are unsightly and can become more severe quickly, they are relatively easy to treat. Trim the hair around small sores with animal hair clippers after cleansing your tools with rubbing alcohol. Shave the fur around large hot spots with a disinfected razor. Removing hair from around the sore will prevent moisture from collecting in the area and will help the hot spot dry out and heal.

    Veterinary Assistance

    • Wash the sore with a mild, water-based astringent that you obtain from your vet. Most veterinarians will prescribe a spray consisting of antibiotics such as Gentamicin or Betamethasone to treat hot spots. Ask your vet for a prescription for a hydrocortisone cream that will eliminate itching and advance the healing process. Vets usually treat more serious hot spot sores with oral antibiotics and an injection of corticosteroids. Obtain a plastic cone called an Elizabethan collar from your vet or from a pet store and place it around your dog's neck until the sore has healed so that it cannot lick and scratch the area.