A hot spot is an inflamed, possibly infected, confined area on the skin that itches and can drive a dog batty. If not treated properly, the dog can lick or bite the affected skin and open a lesion, making it more difficult to heal. Fortunately, there are a few inexpensive remedies that can give your dog relief.
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Identification
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Hot spots form relatively quickly and can appear anywhere on a dog's body, although they typically pop up as an isolated patch on their back half. Your dog may appear fine before you leave the house for a few hours, but by the time you come home you could very well find an open sore on your pet's skin from incessant biting. Or you might only notice matted or missing fur because of repeated licking. The size of a hot spot may be a couple inches across, or it could be the size of your hand. Sometimes there's just one, but multiple breakouts are possible.
Causes
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Your dog could develop a hot spot for any number of reasons--fleas or other insect bites, a skin allergy, an ear infection. Or it could be a behavioral problem because your dog is overly stressed or bored. Consult your veterinarian if have any doubts about what might be behind it. Treating the hot spot by itself is only a temporary fix, or it might not work at all, unless you find out the principle cause.
Cleaning
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Bacteria will only make a hot spot worse, so cleaning the infected area is crucial. It's not necessary to give your dog a full bath, you just need to clean the affected skin. Trim back or cut the hair around the infected skin first to make it easier to clean. It may be fine to use non-irritating soap or shampoo you have at home, but your dog may be allergic to it. Your safest bet is to use a vet-recommended disinfectant such as Nolvasan or a low-pH astringent such as Burow's solution, or witch hazel.
Treatment
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Pet stores sell inexpensive hot spot itch relief sprays and creams to apply directly on the affected skin. You'll probably have to use these over the course of several days, so be sure to wash your dog's skin regularly before applying. If you dog has developed a bad infection from an open sore, you may have to see your vet for oral antibiotics, pain killers, or anti-inflammatory drugs. Your vet may also recommend you attach a neck cone around your dog's head while the skin heals.
Prevention
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Preventing hot spots for the lifetime of your dog may be wishful thinking, but you can take some steps to minimize their formation. Have your dog groomed and bathed regularly, consult your vet for the best flea and tick control program, and keep your pets active.
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