"Hot Spots" Are Great For Computers and Cell Phones But Not Your Dog!

 Meet "Bear":

"Bear", a canine boarder at Burke Animal Clinic.

Poor “Bear” developed a hot spot while boarding.  “Bear” was rolling around in his bed having a little scratch here, a little shake there, normal behavior for a dog.   

"Bear" was just hanging out with his brother and had a single itch.

However, an hour later when he was going out for a walk an astute veterinary assistant noticed an irritated area on the side of “Bear’s” face.  “Bear” must have continued scratching at his face until his walk. 

An hour later a canine hot spot had developed on the side of "Bear's" face due to scratching.  He wears a muzzle for staff safety.

Canine hot spots are warm moist irritated areas of inflamed and infected skin that occur on dogs.  Usually we see the problem in warmer weather on thick coated dogs or those with droopy ears or skin folds that don’t permit good air circulation over the skin.  This pup has both a thick coat and floppy ears.  Another contributing factor is that it is Spring time; Bear is shedding and his thicker Winter coat hasn’t dropped yet.  We don’t know what started “Bear’s” scratching, but it becomes a vicious cycle of itching and scratching that needs to be broken for the problem to be resolved.  The problem worsens very quickly.  Thanks to one of our attentive veterinary assistants, "Bear's" problem was noticed before he scratched through the skin on his face.

Some pets experience one episode, possibly caused by an insect bite, and after it clears up the problem is gone.  Other pets have underlying problems such as seasonal or food allergies, or are irritated by certain products like shampoos or cleaners in the home.  It is important in these situations to get to the root of the irritation to keep the problem from recurring.  BICOM is one of the therapies used in these difficult cases to figure out the offending substance so hopefully it can be avoided in the future.  It is better to treat the problem, not just manage the symptoms over and over again.

Hot spots are very tender.  Many times sedation is needed to properly clean and treat the affected area.  Our staff caught “Bear’s” hot spot very early in the process so sedation was not necessary.  “Bear” wears a muzzle just for staff safety during the treatment process; he really is a sweet guy.  The hair is clipped to allow good air circulation.  The skin was scrubbed with a surgical scrub and treated topically with a soothing lotion.  Dr. Herrity gave a steroid injection to settle down the inflammatory process and "Bear" was started on an oral antibiotic.  It takes some time for the irritation to settle down so “Bear” will wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from causing further harm to himself.

Burke Animal Clinic patient, "Bear", wearing an Elizabethan collar.

Some things you can do to help your dog avoid hot spots in the upcoming warm/hot months is to keep your pet brushed out to permit good air flow in his coat and dry him well after getting wet, particularly in skin fold areas.  If  a problem does develop, please don't delay treatment.  If you can't schedule an outpatient appointment due to work, make a drop-off appointment. 

Get Well Soon "Bear"!