Many dogs experience this at some point: a hot spot. It’s a painful area that’s very uncomfortable for your dog. A hot spot is a skin infection caused by excessive scratching and licking. It’s often triggered by itching. This itching causes your dog to scratch and lick a lot. A hot spot can develop quickly, making it seem like it appeared “out of nowhere.” In this blog, we’ll explain how hot spots develop and how to treat them!
Many dogs experience this at some point: a hot spot. It’s a painful area that’s very uncomfortable for your dog. A hot spot is a skin infection caused by excessive scratching and licking. It’s often triggered by itching. This itching causes your dog to scratch and lick a lot. A hot spot can develop quickly, making it seem like it appeared “out of nowhere.” In this blog, we’ll explain how hot spots develop and how to treat them!
Cause of a hotspot
Hot spots are caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that irritate the skin. Constant scratching and licking of the affected area creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria—moisture and warmth are, after all, ideal conditions for bacterial growth. Dogs prone to hot spots often already have an impaired microbiome. When the skin becomes bald and “raw,” it is more susceptible to bacteria, which can lead to inflammation. It may even start to bleed and discharge pus. It is even more important to determine why your dog is itchy and therefore licking and scratching. However, itching is a symptom and can have many different causes. In our blog: “Help, my dog has an itch!” you can read all about the causes of itching in your dog.
Treating a hot spot
If your dog has a hot spot, it’s important to prevent him from licking or scratching it. This will only make the hot spot worse. You can buy various collars at the pet store or from your veterinarian to keep your dog from reaching the area. It’s also important to keep the affected area dry, as moisture creates an ideal environment for bacteria. It’s also essential that the area around the spot stays clean as well as dry. So playing in the mud and swimming aren’t a good idea. You can also trim or shave the fur around the spot a little so that dirt doesn’t get trapped in the fur around it.
If the area is dirty, you can rinse it off with lukewarm water and then soothe the skin with Doderm Hydro Repair Gel. What makes our skin gel unique is that it contains filtered antibodies from cow colostrum, which naturally supports the skin’s recovery from irritation. Want to learn more about how Doderm Hydro Repair Gel can relieve your dog’s itching? Then read our page on exactly how exactly how Doderm Hydro Repair Gel works. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help!
All treatment steps at a glance:
- Prevent further licking and scratching;
- Keep the hotspot dry and clean;
- Support your skin with Doderm Hydro Repair Gel;
- Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog shows signs of illness, such as lethargy, refusal to eat or drink, or a fever.
The difference between Doderm and Hydro RepairGel
We received a wonderful review from Mariska. Her dog, Beike, had a hot spot, which she treated with Doderm Hydro Repair Gel. Read Mariska’s full review below, check out the before-and-after photos, and see for yourself!
For:
After 7 days:
"Beike is an 11-year-old Frisian Stabij. She has a thick coat, which makes her prone to hot spots, especially during long periods of damp weather. We’ve now used the Hydro Repair Gel for the first time. Previously, we used honey ointment, but it didn’t spread very well over her long hair. We shaved the area and then applied Doderm daily for a week. The result: her skin has calmed down again, and Beike isn’t licking it anymore. New hairs are also starting to grow back. A great product!"
Is a hotspot contagious?
The hot spot itself is not contagious; whether or not it is contagious depends mainly on the underlying cause. Is your dog licking and scratching excessively because he has fleas or mites? These parasites can easily be transmitted to other dogs, causing them to experience symptoms as well, which may lead to the development of a hot spot. Therefore, check your dog regularly for fleas and mites and treat them promptly if necessary.
With the right treatment, a hot spot will be completely gone in about two weeks. If a hot spot isn’t treated properly, the skin inflammation can worsen and your dog could even become quite ill. So take action early to prevent it from getting worse. Always consult your veterinarian for the proper treatment.
