During the warmer months, my dog Yankee seems to be prone to hot spots. He’ll start chewing on some part of his body and before I know it, he has a hot spot. Hot spots come on very quickly and can be very painful and sensitive to the touch. Any dog can develop hot spots, but they’re much more common in dogs with thick coats.

What causes hot spots? They happen when your dog’s natural bacteria over grows on parts of his skin, often when your dog is damp and/or dirty. When an infection arises from a dog’s own bacteria, there is almost always a root cause, such as allergies including allergies to fleas, an underlying pain, such as muscle or join pain, and even behavioral issues. Hot spots can also occur in dogs with compromised immune systems.

If your dog develops a hot spot, you should do two things:

• treat the wound
• try to identify the underlying cause.

If you catch the hot spot before it becomes serious and want to avoid the antibiotics that are routinely prescribed, what can you do to treat the wound?

• First, remove the hair in and around the hot spot.
• Next, disinfect the area with a Betadine type product diluted with water. Repeat this until the area starts to heal and dry up.
• Help the drying process by using a green or black tea bag as a compress. Dip the bag in hot water wait until it cools, then place it on the hot spot for a few minutes.
• Use witch hazel to cool the spot.
• If necessary, use a soft sided Elizabethan collar or a product like Bitter Apple to keep him from scratching and licking the wound.

After a few days if the hot spot doesn’t appear any better or seems to be getting worse, it’s time to see your veterinarian. It’s possible your dog will need a round of antibiotics.

The second step in managing hot spots is to find out why they happen. Here’s what to look for:

• Allergies. Notice whether hot spots occur when you feed a particular food, such as grains. Look at the food you feed and change to grain free. Also look at environmental allergen possibilities like grasses, pollens and mold. Finally, even if you can’t see them make sure your dog is flea free, since flea allergy dermatitis is also a major reason why animals get hot spots.
• Underlying painful conditions. If your dog has a painful spot on his body and he starts chewing at the area, he can create a hot spot. These type of hot spots often happen in dogs that haven’t had them in the past.
• Emotional or mental causes. Sometimes there are underlying mental or emotional causes for your dog’s hot spots, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, separation anxiety, or even boredom.

Once you identify the root cause, you can address it and resolve future hot spots. Being aware of your dog’s body will help you keep on top of hot spots and other potential problems. This will ultimately keep your dog healthier and happier and give him a better quality of life.

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