Dog Hot Spots | Canine Hot Spots

Hot Spots on Dogs can be extremely painful. Dogs suffering from hot spots are often experiencing a reaction to a more complex condition. Canine Hot Spots or superficial pyoderma, is a skin infection caused when pathogenic bacteria and fungus break down normally resistant immune systems and created red and raw patches on the dog’s fur and hide. These circular spots can become swollen and cause hair loss making the exposed area open to greater infection and opportunistic diseases. Hot spots can develop from injection site irritations, flea bites and brush and bramble scratches.

Dogs with hot spots are so named due the inflamed nature of the affliction and of the pet’s desire to cool and relieve the area by licking the wound. The hot spots are usually painful and itchy and can secrete odorous pus. The nature of the illness can cause suffering dogs to become obsessive in their attempt to find relief. Constant biting and licking will only make the spots worse and generally frustrate the animal. This frustration often is exhibited in a change of behavior making and normally pleasant pet into a grouchy and ill-tempered mongrel.

It doesn’t take very long for hot spots on dogs to develop, sometimes in a matter of hours, however certain breeds and types of dogs are more susceptible than others. Dogs with heavy coats whose tangled and matted fur is difficult to groom, can often receive infected lacerations which will develop into a pyotraumatic dermatitis or hot spots. Animals that spend a lot of time outdoors in long grass and brush covered areas can get stickers and seed pods stuck in their fur which if left untreated, can cause irritation and then manifest into infectious hot spots.

Some dogs have a tendency to suffer allergies because of the particular breed or weakened immune system. Aside from getting hot spots, many dogs will usually come down with ear infections, irritated anal sacs and have recurrent flea infestations. Although dogs can be afflicted with hot spots; canines in humid and warmer temperate areas are more likely to develop the raw hot spots on dogs when they shed and the dead follicles become embedded under the skin.

Because of the nature of the beast, hot spots on dogs commonly occur on the legs, flanks, feet and rear end. These regional spots are more prone to come into contact with environmental irritants and are easier for the dog to reach to bite and lick the infections. Although the chest and neck can be affected, they are harder to get to and so don’t become as raw. Hot spots on dogs can affect the ears, eyes and back of the neck. Hot spots behind the ears are more accessible, making even slight reddened patches open to further damage.

Mycanineallergies.com| Los Angeles CA