Picture this: You wake up one morning to your four-legged alarm clock licking your face as usual. Your dog seems happy and normal, but you notice a small red, hairless patch on their hip. You don’t think much of it, so you head to work.
When you come home a few hours later, that slightly red area has turned into a tennis ball-sized, oozing mass of infected skin. This is called a hot spot, one of the most common skin issues dogs experience. But what exactly is a hot spot, and what causes it? Let’s find out.
What are hot spots
Hot spots, also called acute moist dermatitis, pyotraumatic dermatitis, or “summer sores,” are areas of infected skin on dogs caused by a combination of moisture and skin irritation. Though they will heal with proper treatment, they can be painful, irritating, and damaging if left unattended.
What do hot spots look like?
These summer sores usually crop up quickly, starting as a small red or irritated area and progressing rapidly into oozing, red, hot, painful, wet, scabby areas. They can range in size from tiny sores to large regions of inflamed lesions.
Sometimes hot spots can go unnoticed under the fur, so it is essential to check your dog’s skin for hot spots if they are licking or scratching a particular place more than usual.
Symptoms of hot spots
- Dog is excessively licking, chewing, or scratching one area
- Skin might be bleeding slightly
- Matted fur or missing fur
- Putrid, infected odor
- Skin is oozing or wet looking
- Dog is guarding the area or acting unusual
- Skin seems red and inflamed
Where do dogs get hotspots?
Common hot spot areas include the hips, legs, around the anus, ears, and head — anywhere dogs can easily reach to lick, rub, or scratch.
13 Causes of hotspots in dogs
When dogs feel itchy, they scratch or lick an area excessively, breaking the skin and inviting inflammation and bacterial infection to the affected site. Generally, this skin condition develops during the summer months, when heat and humidity are at their peak.
Moisture + heat + irritation = hotspots.
Unfortunately, the hot spot cycle is a vicious one. After the initial itch and infection, the area gets even more itchy and inflamed, leading to more self-trauma as the dog licks and scratches again — making the hot spot even worse.
Causes of hotspots:
These conditions/circumstances can cause itching or open sores that could develop into hot spots.
- Ear infections
- Skin infections
- Parasites and fleas
- Food allergies
- Foreign objects in the skin (i.e., thorns, splinters, quills)
- Anal sac disease
- Insect bites
- Injuries like cuts or abrasions
- Matted fur
- Poor grooming
- Boredom or stress leading to excessive licking
- Contact irritants
- Wet skin or coat
Are certain breeds more likely to get hot spots?
While all dogs can get hot spots, certain breeds with thicker coats are more susceptible to bacterial growth. This includes breeds like Labradors, St. Bernards, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds. These breeds are especially vulnerable if they aren’t properly groomed.
Treatment for hot spots
The best course of action when you notice a hot spot is to take your dog to the vet. A veterinarian will usually clip and clean the area and prescribe a cream or oral medication, such as antibiotics or steroids, to clear up the infection. They will also help identify and treat the underlying cause to prevent future hot spots from developing.
The vet may order a skin scrape to check for parasites, a medicated shampoo, a corticosteroid injection, or an allergy medication. Treatment varies depending on the severity and cause of hot spots. Hot spots generally clear up within a week with proper veterinarian care.
At-home remedies for hot spots
What if you notice a hot spot on your dog after hours, like on the weekend or evening when the vet is closed? This condition isn’t usually severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency vet. However, you should treat the hotspot the best you can until your appointment. Remember, hotspots can double in size in just a few hours, so early action is key!
Try a mild over-the-counter steroid/antibiotic cream: Visit a drugstore or pet store and purchase a dog-safe topical ointment to use on the sore.
Neosporin is a safe and effective option for pets. Before applying the ointment, clean the area with warm water and gently pat dry with a clean cloth.
Use a cone: If you already have an Elizabethan collar (called an E-collar or cone of shame) on hand or can get one, it’s a good idea to utilize it. Not only will this help keep them from licking the hot spot and making it worse, but it will also prevent them from licking off any cream or ointment you use.
Try aloe: Aloe can calm and cool the inflamed area. Put some on a cold, wet cloth over the hot spot. Only use aloe-vera products specially formulated for dogs. Avoid using aloe products unless you have a cone available to keep your dog from licking the area — ingesting aloe could lead to diarrhea and vomiting. A cool compress alone can be beneficial if you don’t have aloe.
Apply a hot spot treatment spray or shampoo: Purchase a treatment spray or shampoo specifically formulated to help reduce the severity of hot spots. While it might not eradicate it, it can soothe the infected area and help prevent further skin damage.
Clip the hair around the spot: If you feel comfortable with clippers and are accustomed to grooming your dog, you can clip the hair around the affected area. This reveals the severity of the hot spot and will help it dry and heal. Only do this if you and your pet are comfortable with the clipping. Some hot spots will be very painful, and leaving the clipping to a professional is often better.
Keep an eye on the hot spot: Some small hot spots can be treated at home, but if it worsens or doesn’t improve after a few days, take your dog to the vet.
Avoid irritants: These “home remedies” could cause more harm than good.
Don’t use any of these on your dog’s hot spot:
- Bag balm
- Apple cider vinegar
- Aquaphor
- Vaseline
- Gold bond powder
- Essential oils
- Diaper rash cream
Note: A veterinarian will need to address most large or severely infected hot spots. Try to get to the vet as soon as possible and use these remedies only to treat small hot spots or to manage larger ones while waiting for an appointment.
Will hot spots go away on their own?
The “wait-it-out” method doesn’t work with hot spots. Since these skin lesions are exacerbated by licking and scratching, it’s highly unlikely that they will clear up without some sort of treatment.
Will dogs get hot spots again?
Certain dogs are more prone to hot spots; once they have one, they’re more likely to get another. If your dog has had multiple hot spots already, take extra care when grooming and discuss potential underlying causes with your vet.
Preventing future hot spots
Hot spots are much easier to prevent than to treat — these pet care tips can help keep your dog’s skin healthy and infection-free.
- Keep up with regular grooming, like brushing and bathing.
- Thoroughly dry your dog’s coat after you bathe them or take them swimming.
- If your dog has a thick coat, consider clipping it in the summertime.
- Practice flea and parasite management.
- Avoid known contact or food allergies.
- Feed a raw food, nutrient-rich diet.
- Increase daily exercise and fun activities to keep dogs from licking out of boredom. Puzzle toys and chew toys are great ways to keep them busy and improve their mental wellbeing.
- Regularly clean your dog’s ears.
- Consider supplements such as fish oil to support skin health.
- Be mindful of hot spots and start treatment early if you notice one developing.
- Find ways to mitigate your dog’s stress or anxiety.
Here’s to healthy skin
Finding a hot spot on your dog can be pretty alarming. Thankfully, they are treatable and won’t cause any lasting harm to your dog if you catch them early.
Following these best practices and prioritizing skin and coat health can go a long way in keeping your furry friend healthy and preventing hot spots from developing. If you notice a hot spot on your dog, book a vet visit to uncover the root cause and get your canine companion some much-needed relief.
