01/19/2022
What Are Hot Spots on Dogs?
Hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis, are painful, red areas of infected skin that appear to be irritated and are sometimes raised.
Hot spots on dogs can occur anywhere on the body, but they are commonly found on the face, neck, limbs or hips. The size and appearance of the lesions can vary slightly in each location, but most will look similar regardless of where they are.
These spots can appear quickly, usually with some degree of hair loss, and they become much larger in a matter of days.
Hot spots on dogs can be relatively minor and heal quickly, but they do have the potential to cause more serious issues, such as widespread infection or deeper skin ulcerations.
-- How to Treat a Hot Spot on a Dog --
While some hot spots can be treated at home, the underlying cause of the hot spot should always be identified, if possible, to prevent further hot spots from occurring.
To determine the underlying cause, and especially for large or overly infected hot spots on dogs, a veterinary exam is necessary.
It’s even more urgent if the affected area is:
*Increasing in size
*Consistently bleeding
*Displaying colored discharge
You should also seek veterinary attention sooner if you cannot keep your pet from licking/scratching it.