“The spot came up on my dog overnight, and now they won’t leave it alone!” This is usually how the conversation goes with panicked pet owners that have just noticed a large, bald sore that is red and oozing. After out veterinarians tell them that it looks or sounds like they are describing a hot spot, the next question is typically, “What is that?”
Hot Spots Explained
Hot spots, or acute moist superficial pyoderma or pyotraumatic dermatitis, are rapidly developing skin infections where the naturally occurring bacteria on the skin invade through damaged skin. The initial inciting factor can be from many sources. Anything that leads the dog or cat to start itching in a particular location can begin the cycle. The most common reasons for itching are:
Once the itching and scratching begin, skin abrasions develop which allow the normal staphylococcal bacteria on the skin to set up an infection.
Progression of Hot Spots
These infections normally progress very rapidly and can become large and very painful in a matter of hours. Once the infection takes hold, the itching and scratching is accelerated, the pet is constantly licking, biting, or scratching, and this can then make the lesion worse.
The sore becomes moist, oozes pus, and loses hair. Usually, the hot spot extends into the haired areas as well, and we don’t realize how large it is until we begin to shave the surrounding hair. It is more common to see these in the hot, humid times of the year, but they can occur year-round.
How Do Hot Spots Get Treated?
Although hot spots look a little scary and are uncomfortable for pets, the treatment is rather simple. Our veterinarians may still have to search for the
underlying cause to prevent the animal from having recurrent problems, but treatment for the hot spot will still be the same.
Shaving the Hair
The first thing a veterinarian will typically do is shave the entire area, which is usually much larger than it initially appeared. This allows us to visualize the extent of the hot spot, scrub the entire area with an antiseptic, and allow more fresh air to reach the wound.
Our goal is to start drying the wound so it will scab over and avoid anything that will keep the wound wet (like greasy ointments). In severe cases, the animal may have to be sedated to completely shave and clean the area.
Topical, Oral, or Injectable Medication
After the area is sufficiently shaved and cleaned; there are many different topical, oral, and injectable products or combination of these that can be effective in treating the infection.
Every veterinarian has their favorite products that they may reach for first; but those can include antibiotics, a steroid for itching and inflammation, NSAIDs for pain, and Elizabethan collars to prevent further scratching. For very large and painful hot spots, topical therapy alone may not be sufficient.
To choose the appropriate antibiotic, a skin cytology or skin culture may be needed. Therapy will need to be continued until the hot spot is completely healed, and the pet will need to be reassessed by the veterinarian to determine when the medications can be discontinued.
This is a very common skin condition that can become severe before you even notice that it is an issue. Please bring your pet in to see our veterinarians as soon as you notice that there appears to be a problem, especially if your pet is prone to getting recurrent skin infections.
It may be helpful to place a wrap or cover the affected area until you can get to a veterinarian to prevent further damage caused by continuous licking or biting. The sooner treatment is initiated by our veterinarians, the faster your pet can get back to being comfortable and on the road to recovery!
