Hot spots are an unsightly and uncomfortable infection. Some dogs are more prone to them and need to be checked regularly to catch the hot spot before it gets too big. Cleaning the hot spot is the first and sometimes only step to fixing the problem. If your dog is acting too wiggly or appears in pain when you attempt to clean the hot spot yourself, take him to the vet to get hot spot treated.
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Hot Spot
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Hot spots are a bacterial infection of the skin. They typically occur in dogs who are prone to skin issues, such as golden retrievers. Dogs with skin issues caused by allergies to fleabites or the food they eat will often scratch themselves, which traumatizes the skin. The traumatized skin is an ideal environment for bacteria to set up shop. The area is also covered in hair, which keeps it moist and keeps the crusty discharge stuck to the area. This encourages more bacteria to grow and makes it an increasing cycle of infection.
Treatment
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Step one in dealing with a hot spot is to clean the area. One of the best ways to do this is to shave the hair and then scrub the area. This can be tricky, though, as the area is usually quite sensitive. If the area is significantly matted with hair and discharge, it may be necessary to soak it to break this crust up. This can be done with plain water or a mild soap solution. Be sure the solution is mild, however, as too much soap could burn the traumatized skin. Use a clean washcloth or paper towel soaked in the liquid and hold it to the area until the area until the crust breaks up.
Once the crust is broken up, it will be much easier to clip the hair. Be gentle when clipping the hot spot. Do not use a razor that you would use to shave your legs or face, as this might traumatize the skin even more. Instead, use a motorized clipper designed for animals, such as the Oster A5. Clip the entire area of the hot spot, including a border around it a few inches wide. This will ensure the site can breathe and no more hair will get stuck to the discharge. Scrub the site thoroughly. Again, be gentle as it can be painful. You ideally want to get all the discharge scrubbed off the skin so that the skin is completely exposed to the air.
Antibiotics
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Occasionally, this clip and clean job is sufficient to cure the problem, but, more often than not, you will need to scrub the area daily for a couple days until the hot spot begins to heal. If the area doesn't heal, see your vet---the dog may need antibiotics to help kill the bacteria. Your vet can also give you topical medications that you can use immediately and with future hot spots.
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