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.

Memorial Day's Memories

Every year on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day, we close our banks, federal offices and many other businesses in celebration and reflection of the soldiers fallen to protect our country.  Some may not remember that Memorial Day was once known as Decoration Day (I remember-but then I am old).  Decoration day began during the civil war among freed slaves and other Black American families, as a celebration of both black and white Union soldiers who fought for liberation and justice. The gradual name changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which did not become more common until after WWII, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. During the 20th century Memorial Day was extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.  Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as people visited the graves of their deceased relatives in church cemeteries, whether they had served in the military or not. 


In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holiday BIll, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. 


The change in when we celebrate Memorial Day, with a long week-end, changed the face of the holiday.  It has become a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events such as the Indianapolis 500 auto race (which my husband plans on watching today).  Personally I feel that by changing the date for the sake of a three-day week-end has diminished the very principle of the day.  Many Americans have developed a nonchalant observance of this day, seeing it only as an opportunity to have some extra time off from work.  The holiday has become watered down over the years and with exception of perhaps a soldier and his family, few honor this holiday as it was intended.


This morning, after my hospital rounds, I visited our own Fort Scott National Cemetery.  I have a son-in-law, Josph Lister, buried there December 2, 2003, having been killed in action in Iraq November 20, 2003.  As I visited Joe, filling him in on news of the family, I took the time to walk about the others that surrounded him.  Each traditional National Cemetery grave marker is honored with a small American Flag.  Some graves are also decorated with flowers from friends and family members.  As I walk among these American heroes, I cannot help but give thanks to these men and women for their dedication and sacrifice in helping keep us and others free.  Free--the key word in the meaning of this holiday, began in celebration of soldiers who fought for liberation (freedom) and justice in the Civil War and a tradition of all future soldiers to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

Fort Scott National Cemetery