The medical name is pyotraumatic dermatitis. Broken down, "pyo-" refers to "pus", "-traumatic" refers to self-inflicted trauma of biting, licking, scratching, and so on, and "dermatitis" means inflammation of the skin. These common skin lesions are usually caused (and made worse) by biting, licking, or scratching.
Signs of a hot spot include redness, oozing, pain, and itchiness. Sometimes hair can mat over the lesion, obscuring the size and degree of the problem. These lesions can appear suddenly, and grow within hours.
There usually is, but not always, an underlying factor to initiate the extreme licking and scratching behavior. Check your pet for fleas, insect stings or bites. Food allergies, scrapes or wound from rough play are also common causes. Some animals have also been known to start a hot spot out of boredom or stress-related psychological problems.
Since hot spots go from bad to worse so rapidly, the best thing to do for you and your pet is bring him or her to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if it's small. You don't want it to escalate to a more painful and traumatic experience.
At the clinic, technicians will shave, scrub, and powder the inflamed area, while you and the veterinarian will try to figure out the cause and what steps to take from there. Most of the time antibiotics and an elizabethan collar are necessary. If they are really awful, some doctors will prescribe something for the itch as well. Whatever it takes to make our friends comfortable!
Most hot spots are a "one and done" visit as long as the owners comply with home care instructions.
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| Chewing. |
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| Scratching. |
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| Time for the doctor. |
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| Humiliation. |
HAPPY DOG!!!
