Hot Spots

A Hot spot is a common term for many of us and no I am not going to talk about finding a free Wi-fi area for you to check out this blog.  For pet owners and veterinarians the term "hot spot" refers to acute moist dermatitis. Deciphered, a hot spot is a warm, painful, swollen patch of skin that oozes pus and gives off a foul odor. Hair in the area is lost rapidly. The infection progresses when the dog licks and chews the site. These circular patches appear suddenly and enlarge 
quickly, often within a matter of hours.

Yesterday this patient was seen for this very large and painful hot spot.

This image is of the back end of the dog above it's tail and after we had trimmed the hair away that was matted to the area with pus.


Hot spots can occur anywhere on the body, often in more than one spot. One very typical location is under the ear flaps in large breeds with heavy, hairy ears, such as Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers. Hot spots occur most often in breeds with heavy coats, and tend to appear just before shedding, when moist, dead hair is trapped next to the skin. Fleas, mites, skin allergies, irritant skin diseases, ear and anal gland infections, and neglected grooming are other factors that can initiate the itch-scratch-itch cycle.

Treatment: Hot spots are extremely painful. The dog usually will need to be sedated or anesthetized for the initial treatment. Your veterinarian will clip away hair to expose the hot spot, then gently cleanse the skin and allow the skin to dry. Oral antibiotics are usually prescribed. Oral corticosteroids are often prescribed to control severe itching.  To prevent further self trauma from itching an Elizabethan collar is often put on the dog.  Most importantly, predisposing skin problems must be treated as well, such as treatment for fleas and mites.

In hot, humid weather, always be sure to dry your heavy-coated dog thoroughly after bathing them and after they swim. Otherwise, the conditions are perfect for a hot spot to develop.