What Are Dog Hot Spots?

Frequent scratching, chewing or licking on one place can result in a hot spot (acute moist dermatitis), an inflamed sore on your dog that becomes infected. Also known as "summer sores" because warm temperatures and moist conditions promote their formation. According to CanisMajor.com, hot spots are very painful, causing the dog to scratch, lick or chew on his skin to rid himself of the irritant.

  1. Identification

    • Hot spots are usually between 1-inch and 4-inches in size and they appear as oozing, reddened or bloody wounds. The dog will likely lose her fur in the center of the hot spot as she chews or scratches away the hair follicles but the edges of the sore may extend into the surrounding fur of her coat. The shape of a hot spot can be round, oblong or a series of smaller spots, and it is likely to increase in size if not treated.

    Causes

    • Flea, tick and other insect bites can provide the impetus for your dog to start scratching or chewing as well as an allergy to a topical insecticide, shampoo or flea treatment. Once the itching begins, the subsequent scratching will only further irritate the area, until a sore appears. Failure to dry a dog after his bath may produce the conditions necessary for a hot spot to begin. Anal gland infections may lead to hot spots on a dog's rear end.

    Risks

    • Dog breeds with thick heavy coats that trap moisture next to the dog's skin are more likely to develop hot spots. This includes such breeds as Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, Golden retrievers and German Shepherds, although any dog may develop one if her skin becomes irritated. The risk of hot spots increases if the dog has sensitive skin.

    Clean

    • Sanitizing the infected area is the first step in correcting the problem but if the sore is large or deep, your veterinarian may want to sedate your dog because the process can be painful. The fur close to the wound is cut away to reduce an environment where bacteria can hide and the sore is thoroughly washed with a chlorhexidine-type shampoo or an iodine wash, like Betadine.

    Treatment

    • After the hot spot is clean and dry, your veterinarian may apply an antibiotic ointment or a steroid cream. You will be instructed to reapply the ointment for up to two weeks. Oral corticosteroids may help control the itching. In some cases, an Elizabethan collar will prevent the dog from causing more damage to the hot spot from scratching or chewing (see Resources).