Dog Hot Spot Information
Dog Hot Spot Information
Hot Spots on Dogs can be extremely painful. Dogs suffering from hot spots are often experiencing a reaction to a more complex condition. Dog Hot Spots or superficial pyoderma, is a skin infection caused when pathogenic bacteria and fungus break down normally resistant immune systems and created red and raw patches on the dog’s fur and hide. These circular spots can become swollen and cause hair loss making the exposed area open to greater infection and opportunistic diseases. Hot spots can develop from injection site irritations, flea bites and brush and bramble scratches.
Dogs with hot spots are so named due the inflamed nature of the affliction and of the pet’s desire to cool and relieve the area by licking the wound. The hot spots are usually painful and itchy and can secrete odorous pus. The nature of the illness can cause suffering dogs to become obsessive in their attempt to find relief. Constant biting and licking will only make the spots worse and generally frustrate the animal. This frustration often is exhibited in a change of behavior making and normally pleasant pet into a grouchy and ill-tempered mongrel.
It doesn’t take very long for hot spots on dogs to develop, sometimes in a matter of hours, however certain breeds and types of dogs are more susceptible than others. Dogs with heavy coats whose tangled and matted fur is difficult to groom, can often receive infected lacerations which will develop into a pyotraumatic dermatitis or hot spots. Animals that spend a lot of time outdoors in long grass and brush covered areas can get stickers and seed pods stuck in their fur which if left untreated, can cause irritation and then manifest into infectious hot spots.
Some dogs have a tendency to suffer allergies because of the particular breed or weakened immune system. Aside from getting hot spots, many dogs will usually come down with ear infections, irritated anal sacs and have recurrent flea infestations. Although dogs can be afflicted with hot spots; canines in humid and warmer temperate areas are more likely to develop the raw hot spots on dogs when they shed and the dead follicles become embedded under the skin.
Because of the nature of the beast, hot spots on dogs commonly occur on the legs, flanks, feet and rear end. These regional spots are more prone to come into contact with environmental irritants and are easier for the dog to reach to bite and lick the infections. Although the chest and neck can be affected, they are harder to get to and so don’t become as raw. Hot spots on dogs can affect the ears, eyes and back of the neck. Hot spots behind the ears are more accessible, making even slight reddened patches open to further damage.
Dog Hot Spot Symptoms
When asking the question; Is your dog is suffering from hot spots? Your undivided attention is paid to certain spots of their coat. Seeing dogs constantly licking, scratching and biting a particular part of their body is cause for further investigation. Although all dogs scratch and lick themselves as part of their self grooming regiment, more aggressive and targeted attacks on themselves should be addressed immediately.
You may also notice a change in their behavior. Some dogs that were once timid or docile; suddenly become more agitated and snap when approached. This is an obvious indication that something is off kilter. Should your pet display this kind of unusual behavior, take a look at the areas they are trying to get at, but be careful because hot spots on dogs will put them in an irritated state and your pet may not take too kindly to being touched.
To identify hot spots on dogs, examine their fur and look first to the spots that are wet and raw by your dog’s chewing and licking. Most likely you will see a loss of hair where they have managed to pull it out in order to get to the infection. The afflicted spots will most likely be circular in shape and the skin red and even bleeding. Typical of this condition will be a raw texture to the hide which can be attributed to both the infection and the dog’s constant self mutilation to find relief. Often the hot spots will ooze slimy pus which can be clear in color but will change to yellow and green as the infection deepens. These infected areas will be quite painful to your pet and are accompanied by a foul odor.
Pets that suffer from hot spots are usually afflicted with other ailments. Flea infestations, bug bites and ear mites are common partners to superficial pyoderma. One affliction doesn’t always preclude the other however when dogs are affected by insect invasions they very often will create further infection and hot spots on dogs will appear. Allergies can be developed are a result of skin infections especially if there is an over use of antibiotics as part of the treatment.
Sometimes hot spots on dogs can be an indication of developing illnesses or may be the result of simply coming into contact with an environmental antagonist such as brier brush, stickers or any manner of rough plant life that can scratch and embed itself under the flesh. Once that happens dogs will attempt to extract the seed pod or matter from their fur. In most cases it is a simple task to get rid of hot spots on dogs. But if left untreated, the natural instinct of the animal is to continue attacking the area. Because dogs don’t reason as humans do, they will go on with this behavior even if the result is more damage than relief.
Dog Hot Spot Treatments
Dog hot spot topical treatments begin with the cleaning and medication of affected areas. Trimming the hair around the hot spot will allow the medicine to properly adhere. Equally important is to keep the area dry because infection grow in moist areas and subsequently cannot survive in dry environments. Once the area is cleaned and treated it’s important to stop your pet from licking the area. A cone collar or funnel will prevent them from being able to reach the wound. It may be an annoyance to your pet and even look comical but it will help them heal which is more vital at this point.
Fundamentally the first line of any remedy for hot spots is to ensure your dog has a proper diet and balanced nutrition. Providing good food that is full of quality protein and low on grains, corn and possibly tainted meat by-products is paramount for your pet to achieve a healthy digestive system and strong immune system. Supplementing theirdiet with a vitamin supplement that has been engineered to support vital organs and has ingredients that can attack disease causing free radicals can make a big difference in their battle against infections.
Pet health treatments using nutritional supplements should contain a rich supply of vitamins, mineral and essential enzymes offer a matrix of antioxidants that help protect your pet’s body from the ravages of opportunistic organisms, free radicals and chemicals that assault them on a daily basis. Formulas that contain quality calcium, a full range of amino acids, Blue Green Algae as one its source of protein and chlorophyll plus L Methionine as an essential amino acid that help to detoxify the blood stream. Keeping the bloodstream clean allows for red blood cells to carry nutrients vital in defending against infection.
As with any vitamin and nutritional dog supplements, the quality of ingredients combined with the manufacturing process is what determines how effective it will be for your pet. Supplement makers that are willing to put in the time to develop a truly scientifically based formula that has been clinically tested for positive results are the only kind to consider. But is should also be noted that superior formulation can only go as far as the processing practices will take them. Companies that use human grade ingredients begin on the best foot and when combined with manufacturing operations that are approved for human products production by the FDA, this equates to pet health treatments that go beyond mere commercial value. It shows a company that puts the health of your pet ahead of everything else.
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