Canine Hot Spots
Canine hot spots are areas on the skin that are inflamed and infected. They can occur anywhere on your dog’s body. Although these hot spot usually appear during warm months, they can appear anytime.
Causes
Canine hot spots are usually caused by a bacterial infection. The infection can either be deep or superficial. The hot spots can also be caused by skin injuries, allergies, and parasites.
Symptoms
Skin lesions that form on your dog can appear out of the blue and spread quickly. The lesions may also turn red and ooze. Canine hot spots can be a painful condition. The intense itching will cause your dog to scratch, bite, or lick the area and make the lesions worse. It is not uncommon for dogs to lose their hair when these hot spots develop.
Treatment
The first step in treating canine hot spots is to clip the hair around the affected area. Since the matted hair can obscure the true size of the lesion, doing this will give a clear picture of the situation. It will also help prevent the infection from spreading. Topical medications can be used to treat the affected area. Some cases are treated using oral antibiotics or steroids.
Prevention
There are a few things you can do to help prevent your dog from getting canine hot spots. It will help if you clip your dog’s hair during the warmer months if he has long hair. You should also try to control substances around the home that your dog may be allergic to. These include plants, dust, and lawn chemicals. Another way to prevent canine hot spots is to give your dog regular baths using medicated shampoos.
We all want our dogs to remain healthy forever. However, sooner or later something is bound to happen. It's best to be prepared for this situation by having affordable pet insurance. This will help you deal with veterinary bills in case the unexpected happens. Learn how you can start protecting your dog today with a free pet insurance quote!