If your dog has a circular, red, weeping sore — it may be a hot spot! Treating a hot spot isn’t just about dealing with the wound; you also have to take a look at the cause and work to prevent the hot spot from coming back.
You can try to treat a hot spot at home without calling the vet, but an office visit and a course of antibiotics may be necessary to clear things up entirely.
Try this at home:
- Trim the hair away from the sore to prevent matting, help stop the infection from spreading, and expose the edges of the wound.
- Wash the area daily with a mild water-based antiseptic or astringent — look at the ingredient list to make sure water is at the top!
- Keep the pet from scratching, licking, biting, or rubbing at the sore. This may mean wearing an Elizabethan collar or covering the wound with a bandage.
If washing the wound daily doesn’t get your pet on the mend, you may need antibiotics or steroids to relieve itching and promote healing.
For Lally’s hot spot, we headed to the vet — and I’m glad we did. The vet pointed out that an ear infection was the culprit, and we treated Lally’s ears while we treated the hot spot. She took an antibiotic with her meals, and got a topical antibiotic in her ears twice a day. We also had a steroid solution for the hot spot to help reduce inflammation. Now both are cleared up and I’m on ear cleaning duty every two weeks to keep the infection (and the hot spot) from coming back.
Knowing what caused the hot spot will help prevent the problem in the future.
- If the problem is tangled or matted hair, seasonal shedding, or other grooming issues, you can prevent future problems by keeping your dog on a regular grooming schedule. Long-haired breeds should be brushed twice a week to prevent snarls and matting. Start with a professional grooming so your home grooming efforts stay on track.
- If the problem is allergies, you need to find out what your dog’s triggers are. Fleas, ear mites, dust, pollen, lawn chemicals, diet, and household chemicals can all be potential allergens! You may need to vacuum more frequently, run an air filter in your home, or give your pup more frequent baths. Your veterinarian may suggest an allergy medicine like Benadryl or Atarax.
- If the problem is behavioral — boredom, stress, or loneliness — you may need to give your dog more exercise, playtime, and attention. If you’re out of the house all day at work, a dog sitter or dog walker may be a solution. Also think about an obedience course, a workout you and your dog can do together, or a call to an animal behavior specialist.