Moist eczema, acute moist dermatitis and hot spots refer to a type of skin infection that is most common in dogs. Dogs with hot spots have circular lesions on the head, face and on other parts of the body. Hot spots are hairless, raw and inflamed patches of moist skin that causes the poor dog immense discomfort and pain. Dogs have the tendency to lick, bite and gnaw any part of the body that is causing them discomfort. A flea bite that causes minor irritation will be incessantly licked and gnawed by the pet. A coin sized mild abrasion can speedily turn into inches wide troublesome itchy sore that has a smelly pus discharge in a matter of hours because of the dog's self mutilation. Hot spots are actually skin infections that are worsened by the dog's self mutilation thus it is also known as pyotraumatic dermatitis.
Hot spots can develop in any breed of dog but these skin lesions are commonly seen on dogs with long coats and dense undercoats. Dogs living in places with humid and hot climates are at greater risk to develop this skin infection. It is a good thing that hot spots is not really a serious disease as this skin infection has the tendency to recur. Moreover, first aid treatments that could have prevented a small lesion from developing into a hot spot is oftentimes not administered by the owner as the sore spot will be hidden by the long and thick hair of the dog.
The itchy and painful skin lesions could have started from a simple flea bite. Dogs with histories of food and inhalant allergies, with anal gland concerns and ear infections are most susceptible. Hot spots commonly develop in dogs that are not regularly groomed because the tangles in the coat are perfect breeding places for bacteria.
First aid treatment is necessary to control the spread of infection. The raw oozing lesions would mar the appearance of the pet but a more serious concern is the discomfort and the pain the pet would have to go through. The hair around and over the lesion must be trimmed to expose the affected skin to the air. This method allows air to naturally dry the raw and infected tissues. The hotspot must be cleaned daily with a sterile saline solution. To control the spread of infection, a topical antibacterial ointment must be applied to the lesions.
Hotspots have the tendency to recur thus it would be necessary to eliminate the underlying cause of this skin infection. An external parasite control program can prevent flea and mite infestation. Regular grooming will do a lot to prevent the development of the itchy and painful sores.
Hot spots can develop in any breed of dog but these skin lesions are commonly seen on dogs with long coats and dense undercoats. Dogs living in places with humid and hot climates are at greater risk to develop this skin infection. It is a good thing that hot spots is not really a serious disease as this skin infection has the tendency to recur. Moreover, first aid treatments that could have prevented a small lesion from developing into a hot spot is oftentimes not administered by the owner as the sore spot will be hidden by the long and thick hair of the dog.
The itchy and painful skin lesions could have started from a simple flea bite. Dogs with histories of food and inhalant allergies, with anal gland concerns and ear infections are most susceptible. Hot spots commonly develop in dogs that are not regularly groomed because the tangles in the coat are perfect breeding places for bacteria.
First aid treatment is necessary to control the spread of infection. The raw oozing lesions would mar the appearance of the pet but a more serious concern is the discomfort and the pain the pet would have to go through. The hair around and over the lesion must be trimmed to expose the affected skin to the air. This method allows air to naturally dry the raw and infected tissues. The hotspot must be cleaned daily with a sterile saline solution. To control the spread of infection, a topical antibacterial ointment must be applied to the lesions.
Hotspots have the tendency to recur thus it would be necessary to eliminate the underlying cause of this skin infection. An external parasite control program can prevent flea and mite infestation. Regular grooming will do a lot to prevent the development of the itchy and painful sores.
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